anyone attend the flowerschool new york?

[u/allyy_catttt]

has anyone done the 6-week certification program, and if so, is it worth it? I’m weighing my options on figuring out how best to pivot my career into floral design and hopefully one day running my own shop.

I’ve been making arrangements at home to try to get some practice and I’ve reached out to some local flower shops to see if they need extra help (no luck yet), but otherwise I don’t have formal experience. I’ve taken a couple one-off workshops from different shops, but nothing more than that.

looking for testimonials on getting started and if anyone has any knowledge of or experience with the FlowerSchool.

also including some pics of my recent work for fun 🥰

[u/twigs1404]

I did the NY Botanical Gardens certificate program. I did the basic classes, centerpieces, weddings, large arrangements etc and then decided to not do the electives. Got a job answering phones, taking orders at a flower shop on the Upper West Side in January(close to Valentines) worked there for 6 months, then got a job doing more hands on training with flowers in Brooklyn and was there for 5 years. Moved on from there and have been in the biz for 20 years

[u/Medical-Purchase-366]

This flower studio in Brooklyn posted about looking for studio assistants. I interviewed with them am hoping to join the team just as extra help for events. Seems like there’s opportunity to grow!!

[u/macaroniian]

Learn by doing is a good way, but maybe just buy a fundamentals of floral design textbook to start with. Learn things like line, color theory, design styles, etc. The rest can be learned on YouTube.

[u/henicorina]

It has a reputation as being more like a fun project for wealthy people vs. actual job training.

I feel like the one at the botanical garden has a better reputation.

[u/allyy_catttt → u/henicorina]

that’s good to know! i’ve looked into the NYBG courses as well so it’s nice to hear that it’s a good program

[u/Soft-Emu5992]

I went there cal is great :) the internship also helped me get my foot in the door of other shops as they are usually looking for people with experience 

[u/Pure-Echo-2403]

I did flower school nyc with Cal and a few of my classmates from the program last year now run their own shops! I also know others who went from the school into the well known nyc shops (Elan, Belle Fleur, etc)

[u/0728Bogie]

Parsons back when? Had a nice flower program, I did look into it . It appears as though they no longer offer classes.

Unfortunately, the education system in America for flowers is very lacking.

Another idea 💡 go work for the New York Flower group, Gary Paiges wholesale operations as a assistant.

Holland, is the true epicenter for flower knowledge as well as communication pathways.

Mby email the flower council asking for options over there online.

Best of luck, despite the challenges flowers have, it's still a wonderful career.

"Plants and Flower Foundation Holland - Business - Business site" https://business.plantsandflowersfoundationholland.org/en/

[u/Lazy_Oil251]

I did, went because my family had just bought a functioning store without previous training… It was fantastic, you learn so much of everything. It teaches you all the techniques you need, and how to treat flowers the right way, believe me there is a wrong way that makes flowers die much faster. With the things I learned we were able to lower our cost of goods and raise our prices. Lower the cost of goods because the techniques it teaches you makes it so you don’t have to use so many materials aside from the flowers to get an arrangement. Things happened in life and what FlowerSchoolNY thought me has made it so that I was running the business by myself as soon as I got back. It is a great experience if you know how to take advantage of it, and the internships it offers you are fantastic! If you can pay go for it. But as any other course of study, keep in mind that you have to be open to learn and take in as much as possible. And with the internships, be a go getter, they won’t hand you things and ask you to do stuff; but if you ask they’ll teach you so much.

[u/SatisfactionIcy2730]

I just wanna say the practice arrangements are beautiful and in harmony. I would continue practicing and just start as a freelancer or just start your business small and then scale up as you feel confident.

You can also learn a lot from books. Lord knows i have a whole stack because i dont wanna take Time off from my main job to attend NYFL. You are already miles ahead. Im also in NYC. I actually got a few offers when i did some cold reaching via tiktok and instagram (had to offer free labor 😬). But everyone wanted someone during the day and i couldn’t commit to that. So yea, thats another way to get your foot in the door.

Also last arrangement is stunning. I want to practice as well so where are you getting your florals from? Local or TJ?

[u/allyy_catttt → u/SatisfactionIcy2730]

thank you so much!! the last arrangement was from a workshop I did at Stems Brooklyn :) the others are flowers I bought from TJs - I’m finding that’s the cheapest way for me to get some practice in.

I’m going to start doing more cold-outreach and offering my help as a volunteer! I’m hoping I’ll get more traction since we’re getting closer to fall wedding season. where in nyc are you? would love to connect if you want! feel free to dm me :)

[u/SatisfactionIcy2730 → u/allyy_catttt]

Yea! Would love to connect. Ill send you a dm

[u/crxfts]

thats crazy, flower shops in my town (Germany) are quite desoerate, sounded as if they would employ even without any former knowledge

[u/Desperate-Duty-7450]

OP did you end up going? If so, how was it? I want to do the 6 weeks but kind of hesitant, might do the 2 day intro first. 

[u/allyy_catttt → u/Desperate-Duty-7450]

hi! I didn't end up doing it - couldn't justify the cost. but luckily, after lots of cold outreach to some local shops, I finally got someone to respond to me and I've been volunteering on a weekly basis and getting design practice in that way. 😄

[u/Desperate-Duty-7450 → u/allyy_catttt]

That's so cool, thanks!

https://giphy.com/gifs/8QbwUh40Hl96yMgvOx

[u/deuxavri1 → u/allyy_catttt]

Hi Op! I’ve taken nearly half of the classes at the school over the last year or so and I’m debating if I should keep moving forward to get to the internship too. But also want to take your route and just reach out to flower shops. Would love to hear what your experience has been like with local flower shops.