If you have floral design skills and experience and a good business acumen, working as a florist in your own flower shop might be a good opportunity. Florists sell flowers in their shops and make flower arrangements and bouquets for weddings, funerals and other events. Learning how to start a flower shop is the first step in planning and running the business.
Steps
Step 1. Strengthen your floral design skills
Arranging flowers requires an expert eye for color and shades, as well as knowledge of how to make bouquets, bodices and other items. If you are behind with any of these skills, take courses or self-study using videos and books. Also consider hiring an experienced designer to improve your skills.
Step 2. Decide what kind of business to start
Most flower shops are on the street and do business with retail customers, but there are other types as well. You can sell wholesale flowers for florists or sell florist supplies, as well as arrangements. You can work outside the home using a website and catalog as a virtual storefront.
Step 3. Locate a location
If you have decided to work from home, you need to set up areas for office and warehouse work. A store with a showcase takes longer to find. It should be in an area with a lot of foot traffic and not a lot of competition.
Step 4. Call your municipality to find out which licenses are required
Ask for the necessary regulations if you want to do business from home and you will have to receive customers regularly.
Step 5. Obtain the necessary local and national licenses
Register with the tax office.
Step 6. Meet with a small business consultant or accountant to find out how to set up your business and to discuss deductions and taxes
Decide whether to integrate your business.
Step 7. Talk to an insurance agent
If you have a shop, you will need protection in case of injury. If you are delivering flowers you may need extra protection on delivery vehicles.
Step 8. Set up a business phone
If you are using a land line, Skype or a cell phone, a dedicated phone number will be more professional and make it easier for you to track calls. Get a professional registration for the secretariat. Consider using a third-party voicemail service to answer calls and to get notifications when you have a call.
Step 9. Buy or print business cards and letterheads
You can save money by printing them yourself, but you need a decent quality laser printer that doesn't blur.
Step 10. Create your online presence with a website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter and Flickr
Step 11. Register online on local and national directories such as Google Places and Mapquest
See if the Chamber of Commerce or another business association has an online and print directory of local businesses. Make sure you are listed in the yellow pages.
Step 12. Think about advertising strategies
Your website and online presence will generate free advertising, but you need to reach the local market too. Consider ads in local newspapers as well as participation in online and print media that reach your target market, such as bridal magazines.
Step 13. Advertise the company by providing and arranging flowers for local events, donating your services or products as needed
Connect with other local businesses, especially those that have complementary products to yours, such as party supplies, funerals, and restaurant businesses.
Step 14. Find and order the supplies and equipment needed to run the business
You may also want to sell wedding favors or gift items.
