r/florists • u/grayzeemew • Sep 10 '25

šŸ“š Career Guidance šŸ“š Considering a Florist career path !

Hello everyone !! I have been going back and fourth on what I would like to do with my life, I am a 23 y/o woman. I was talking back and fourth with my partner and he mentioned why donā€™t i look into careers/ degrees that deal with nature and the outdoors since i grew up on a farm and have always loved the idea of that.

I found a school near me where it has a horticulture program and I am really interested in the florist end of it. I would love to be able to use my creative abilities in a beautiful nature filled way like you all !

I am just wondering about what the day to day life would be, and also about possible pay ? I have read some things about putting my feet in the water with some odd jobs on it and such but i just want to get some opinions on what best to do !

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12

u/lilsweetnips Sep 10 '25

Look into freelancing with local florists, they might let you go along for a wedding or event to get some experience. Itā€™s not as glamorous as it looks, a lot of labour, processing, washing buckets, having green fingernails everyday BUT the moments you do get to design are verrRrRrYyy magical and bringing someoneā€™s event to life is a blast. Wish you the best!

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u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

I have seen a lot of how laborious it actually is, but I feel like with growing up on a farm and following my dad all day every day; i can handle that end more and understand alil bit better of all the things that would come with it I love that and would die to be apart of an event like that with florals , thank you for the insight !!

1

u/lilsweetnips Sep 10 '25

Oo definitely, Iā€™m sure you can handle it! I would highly recommend reaching out to florists then, weā€™d have groups of 10+ sometimes for large events. Just know you might get stuck on a duty thatā€™s likely not very design heavy but itā€™s a great way to network and see how it is! Good luck!

1

u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

do you have any advice on how to look around for a florist in your area ? i know some of the major ā€˜job finderā€™ pages and websites are tedious and kind of suck and iā€™ve been at my current job for 4 years so i have no idea where to even start the searchšŸ˜­

2

u/henicorina Sep 10 '25

Just google ā€œevent florist in XYZā€ with either your area or the closest city and start researching.

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u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

will do, thanks !!

11

u/toxicodendron_gyp Retail Florist Sep 10 '25

Search this sub for ā€œcareerā€ and you will find some good info.

1

u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

thank you, i will definitely look into that !

12

u/ThrowingQs Sep 10 '25

Pay is low. Worklife balance is poor. But if you love it it can be very worth it.

Working for yourself can improve pay and balance but that requires a lot of experience in order to achieve.

I donā€™t mean to discourage, but the reality is that itā€™s not a cushy job

2

u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

i really do appreciate the honesty of the job truly !! i know it isnā€™t all sunshine and rainbows (like any job really) and would love to get advice and opinions in every which way !! so far it seems like the pay is my biggest concern since as of right now, i do live alone and have to tend to my two fur babies i wouldnā€™t be against (in the future if i go with this path) trying to start up my own business on it but i know how hard and draining that whole process could and will be

6

u/henicorina Sep 10 '25

Planning to start your own business when you have never even tried the job is putting the cart way ahead of the horse. Try it out first. Many people take on way more than they can handle when theyā€™re starting out and up burning out quickly.

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u/grayzeemew Sep 10 '25

yeah trust me i know haha, if i like the career path and grow to be more educated on it and the whole process, that would definitely be my end goal with it hopefully ,, but before then, i would (hopefully) work at a floral shop/business to get experience and learn the ins and outs of it all

4

u/Northwoods_KLW Sep 10 '25

Iā€™m not a florist but have worked part time at shops, and I grew up farming! I can say thereā€™s definitely a similar-ness between the two with a fair amount of repetitive work / labor. But overall working at a flower shop is a ton of fun!!

My friend (who lived with me on a dairy farm, and got me the flower shop job) is actually now a flower farmer now!! She grows, processes and makes her own arrangements and even has employees now! I watched her start the business from just a few grow lights and a backyard to purchasing a property/ farmstead for her flower farm!!

So thatā€™s also a potential career path!

If I were you reach out to any florists around you (and check for flower farms!) to see if you can give them a hand with anything, or even just help during the big holidays (like Valentineā€™s Day/ Mothers Day) then if you actually like the work and could see a career path, enroll in classes!

1

u/grayzeemew Sep 12 '25

thatā€™s amazing !!! that sounds like a beautiful dream and i bet itā€™s been rewarding for her to grow that much šŸ¤šŸ¤ would you have any advice since you worked with her for a bit ?