The Role & Expectations
The work is choosing and conditioning flowers, designing and making arrangements, serving customers and taking orders, and looking after the shop and stock. Creativity, a good eye for colour and shape, and care with delicate flowers matter, as does the people side of helping customers at happy and sad times alike.
You will be on your feet, working with cold water and sharp tools, with early starts to get fresh flowers and busy spells around holidays and weddings. Pay often starts around the minimum wage and rises with skill, and many florists eventually run their own shop, which brings the rewards and risks of a small business.
Many florists train through a college course or an apprenticeship, or learn on the job in a shop. No degree is needed, and building skill, speed and a sense of design comes mostly with experience.
Daily Responsibilities
- Choose, condition and care for flowers
- Design and make bouquets and arrangements
- Serve customers and take orders
- Prepare flowers for weddings and funerals
- Keep the shop and displays fresh and tidy
- Order and manage flower stock
- Handle deliveries and payments