Spotlights
Designer, Floral Artist, Floral Clerk, Floral Department Specialist, Floral Designer, Florist, Wedding Decorator
Giving flowers for special occasions is a tradition that dates back to ancient Egyptian culture! Today, we continue to give flowers to express various sentiments ranging from love to condolences. Florists (or Floral Designers, if you prefer) are the proud keepers of this long-standing custom. They source fresh flowers from local farms and wholesalers then carefully select and combine them into colorful decorative arrangements or wrapped bouquets.
As experts in this unique and relatively small field, Florists often help customers decide which flowers are suitable for the given occasion and budget. Many Florists are self-employed, running small local businesses and offering delivery services. Others may work in the floral departments of large retail or grocery stores. Regardless of where they work, Florists are creative, empathetic artists who provide meaningful floral pieces designed to make a difference in the lives of their recipients.
- Getting to spend time peacefully working with flowers and plants
- Having an outlet for creative expression
- Knowing that your work will help make someone feel better
- Potentially getting to own and operate your own small business
Lịch làm việc
- Florists may work full or part-time. Those who own a business may put in overtime to ensure there are enough fresh flowers and other inventory on hand, the shop is tidy and visually appealing, the staff is taken care of, delivery vehicles are in good condition, marketing is running smoothly, and accounting is done right. Overtime is also likely required during busy seasons such as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu
- Keep the floral shop or selling area looking clean and professional, and workspaces sanitized and free from clutter
- Xác định yêu cầu hàng tồn kho. Tìm và mua hàng tồn kho từ các nhà cung cấp, nhà bán buôn và người trồng địa phương
- Create ready-made arrangements and grab-and-go bouquets
- Establish prices and mark items. Ring up sales, including additional items such as cards, balloons, stuffed animals, baskets, vases, etc.
- Assist phone, online, and walk-in customers with custom-made arrangement requirements. Offer suggestions based on budgets, occasions, and desired delivery dates
- Select flowers, greenery, foliage, and containers that complement each other. Create arrangements based on established patterns or design unique concepts
- Trim flowers and other materials as needed to suit the arrangement. Use wire, pins, tape, and other holding materials
- Deliver or establish delivery of arrangements to intended recipients
- Keep flowers refrigerated as needed. Water flowers and plants
- Create window and in-shop displays, including holiday-themed displays
Trách nhiệm bổ sung
- Giảm tải giao hàng tồn kho đến. Theo dõi tất cả các cổ phiếu để biết khi nào cần sắp xếp lại
- Provide instructions for care (for example, a plant’s sunlight, soil, water, and climate requirements)
- Write messages on cards on behalf of customers who can’t come in person
- Keep up-to-date on design trends and continue to expand knowledge of plant and flower types and their care needs
- Learn which types of plants are allergens for humans or dangerous to animals (the ASPCA offers a list of plants that are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses)
- Business owners may have many additional duties such as the below:
- Maintain financial records of sales, purchases, and other expenses
- Pay rent on buildings
- Hire and train new employees
- Maintain payroll for employees, establish in-house human resources policies, and follow state and federal employer guidelines
- Submit business and employee taxes as required by state and federal law
- Establish branding and marketing practices to attract customers. Offer incentives such as discounts or promotions via social media
- Arrange recurring schedules or contracts to replenish flowers at establishments such as restaurants, hotels, offices, and residences
- Work with event planners to assist with venue decoration set-up and tear-down
Kỹ năng mềm
- Lắng nghe tích cực
- Chú ý đến chi tiết
- Sự hợp tác
- Sáng tạo
- Dịch vụ khách hàng
- Cảm
- Sáng kiến
- Giám sát
- Tầm nhìn màu bình thường
- Tổ chức
- Kiên nhẫn
- Social perception
- Kỹ năng giao tiếp mạnh mẽ
- Quản lý thời gian
Kỹ năng kỹ thuật
- Business, sales, and marketing acumen
- Point of Sale systems
- Knowledge of floral design for various occasions
- Knowledge of various types of flowers, plants, greenery, and foliage and their associated care
- Safe use of floral shears, scissors, pruners, thorn strippers, wire and wire cutters, knives, pins, and adhesives
- Website and social media management
- Florist shops
- Cửa hàng tạp hóa và bán lẻ
- Vườn ươm / nhà bán lẻ cỏ và vườn
- Tự kinh doanh
Florists need a deep understanding of plant care, floral design, and customer service. They should be able to select and arrange flowers and other elements that complement each other nicely.
They must also know which flowers are suitable for occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, hospital visits, funerals, and popular flower holidays such as Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Easter and Passover, International Women's Day, and more!
They must pay particular attention to certain holidays and plan well in advance to have the right amount of stock on hand. As noted by SmartAsset, “Christmas and Hanukkah…account for the largest percentage of all holiday flower sales (30%, or about $2.28 billion,” while “Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day…command 25% of the holiday market share each with close to $1.9 billion worth of cut flowers.”
Florist entrepreneurs need to develop practical business skills, too. From filing taxes and managing inventory to marketing and customer service, Florists have a lot of responsibilities on their plate! Many also offer floral delivery services, so they have to be careful to transport delicate, temperature-sensitive arrangements in a timely manner.
E-commerce has led to a surge in online flower orders and home deliveries. Meanwhile, more grocery and retail stores now sell floral decorations. These factors are contributing to a declining number of flower shops, forcing Florists to rely more on online tools and social media to display their work and attract customers in a competitive field.
Many customers are more selective than ever, wanting unique, tailor-made floral experiences. That’s why Florists and Floral Designers must stay on top of consumer demands and respond with creative, trendy arrangements. Customers are also more environmentally conscious and may want locally sourced, sustainably grown “field-to-vase” flowers in eco-friendly packaging.
Florists and Floral Designers may have always had a “green thumb,” loving to work in their own gardens or tending to indoor houseplants. They may have felt in tune with nature, enjoying the relaxation that comes from working with plants. Because of the business and customer service aspects involved, they may have also had an independent streak, desiring to run their own shop someday!
- Most Florists/Floral Designers have at least their high school diploma, but a college degree isn’t needed to start in this profession
- Many workers gain entry-level experience through on-the-job training in flower identification, floral design, stem-cutting, ribbon-tying, etc.
- A few college courses can help teach the basics, especially if you want to run your own business, but students don’t have to go to a four-year university. There are private floral schools, vocational schools, and community colleges offering classes to get you started. For example:
- The Floral Design Institute offers many online courses
- The New York Institute of Art+Design features an online Floral Design Course
- The American Institute of Floral Designers provides lists of schools they partner with as well as State Floral Association education providers
- Students who complete such programs may be eligible to apply for AIFD’s optional Certified Floral Designer (CFD) credential
- AIFD offers two other methods for gaining their optional CFD credential—passing the AIFD Professional Floral Design Evaluation or completing an AIFD Student Chapter competition
- Note, Florists are under no obligation to get certified or to attend any programs or classes!
- A college degree isn’t required for this career field, but vocational school or associate’s degree-level courses may be helpful—especially if you plan on running your own business!
- Xem xét chi phí học phí, giảm giá và cơ hội học bổng địa phương (ngoài viện trợ liên bang)
- Hãy suy nghĩ về lịch trình và tính linh hoạt của bạn, khi quyết định có nên đăng ký vào một chương trình trong khuôn viên trường, trực tuyến hoặc lai
- Cân nhắc tham gia các lớp học từ một trường hoa tư thục trong khu vực của bạn hoặc trực tuyến!
- Florists/Floral Designers should have a basic understanding of botany. If your school features a gardening or agricultural program, sign up
- Nothing beats hands-on practice, but many Floral design principles (like color theory or balance and proportion) can be learned online or through reading magazines and books. Check out articles, blogs, and YouTube videos
- Consider taking ad hoc classes on Skillshare, Udemy, Create Academy, or Team Flower; or consider signing up for longer programs at the below schools:
- AIFD-approved schools
- American Institute of Floral Designers
- American School of Flower Design
- Cao đẳng Ashworth
- Floral Design Institute
- New York Institute of Art+Design
- Penn Foster Career School
- State Floral Association education providers
- Study basic arrangements (like bouquets) as well as complicated designs (like corsages and wreaths)
- Try to learn about all the most commonly used flower and plant types, as well as soils, fertilizers, and proper cutting techniques
- Áp dụng cho công việc bán thời gian hoặc tình nguyện để đổi lấy một số đào tạo miễn phí
- Take some business, sales, marketing, and customer service courses!
- Soạn thảo một sơ yếu lý lịch làm việc để theo dõi công việc và thành tích học tập của bạn
- Start working on an online portfolio/website. Experiment and showcase your creativity!
- Tìm kiếm các bài đăng việc làm trên Indeed.com cũng như danh sách địa phương trên Craigslist
- Call local florists, nurseries, and grocery or retail stores to see if they’re hiring or have any projected openings in the near future
- Attend farmer's markets and get to know local growers. They may know of job openings
- Take florist-related classes and get acquainted with your fellow students. Grow your network and let them know when you’re looking for work
- If attending an AIFD-approved school, talk to an advisor about help with resume writing, interview preparation, or job searching
- Hãy suy nghĩ về những người bạn muốn liệt kê làm tài liệu tham khảo cá nhân của bạn và yêu cầu họ cho phép chia sẻ thông tin liên hệ của họ
- Nếu bạn không có bằng đại học, hãy cân nhắc tham gia các lớp học và lấy chứng chỉ, bằng cao đẳng hoặc cử nhân
- Tìm hiểu tất cả các quy trình "hậu trường" của nơi bạn làm việc. Hãy để người giám sát của bạn biết bạn rất vui khi bắt đầu làm thêm nhiệm vụ. Làm cho mình không thể thiếu!
- Ask if there are particular specialized skills you should learn that could benefit the business. Let them know you are willing to do the training and ask if they can offer tuition assistance
- Show up to work on time and take good care of the flowers and plants under your care
- Always offer outstanding customer service and pay close attention to the little details
- Closely monitor flowers and plants for signs of disease, pests, or malnourishment
- Làm việc tốt với những người khác và đào tạo nhân viên mới theo tiêu chuẩn cao
- Luôn thực hành các quy trình an toàn tốt và đeo găng tay hoặc bảo vệ mắt, khi cần thiết
- Stay up to date on trends and continue to learn about new designs and ideas
- Engage with professional floral organizations. Attend meetings, workshops, and other events to discover new things and make connections
- Xây dựng mối quan hệ bền chặt với các nhà cung cấp như nhà bán buôn và nhà cung cấp
- Consider opening your own business or applying to larger employers that may offer higher salaries or better promotion opportunities
Trang web
- 1-800-Flowers
- American Institute of Floral Designers
- American School of Flower Design
- Arena Flowers
- Cao đẳng Ashworth
- Benchmark Bouquets
- Bloom Generation
- BloomNation
- BloomsyBox
- Bouqs
- eFlorist
- Farmgirl Flowers
- Floom
- Floral Design Institute
- FloraLink
- FTD
- Gardenias Floral Design
- Global Rose
- Jenn’s Sticks and Stems
- List of AIFD-approved schools
- Nectar
- New York Institute of Art+Design
- Penn Foster Career School
- ProFlowers
- Scotts Flowers
- Society of American Florists
- State Floral Association education providers
- Table & Tulip
- The Floral Society
- The Unlikely Florist
- UrbanStems
- Young Flowers
Sách vở
- Flower Arranging: A Step-by-Step Guide to Floral Design, by Teresa P. Lanker
- Flower School: A Practical Guide to the Art of Flower Arranging, by Calvert Crary
- French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond, by Sandra Sigman and Victoria Riccardi Kindra Clineff
The floral industry is going through many changes, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a decline in the demand for Florists and Floral Designers over the coming years. There will always be a need for people with these unique creative skills, but if you want to explore related career fields, consider some of the below options:
- Kỹ thuật viên Khoa học Nông nghiệp và Thực phẩm
- Nhà nông học
- Craft and Fine Artist
- Nhà sinh thái học
- Nhà khoa học môi trường
- Công cụ tổ chức sự kiện
- Nông dân hoặc chủ trang trại
- Nhà thiết kế thời trang
- Thiết kế đồ họa
- Nhân viên bảo trì mặt đất
- Nhà làm vườn
- Nhà thiết kế nội thất
- Người làm vườn
- Nhà tự nhiên học
- Xử lý thuốc trừ sâu
- Nhà sinh vật học thực vật
- Nhà khoa học đất
- Quản lý vườn nho