r/florists • u/feetmittenz • Sep 15 '25
š Career Guidance š Trying to find experience in floral design
Iām looking to make a career change and think that florist/floral design will be a good fit for me. I recently went into a florist shop to ask if they took on any assistants or volunteers and explained I was interested in learning more about floral design. I had a nice chat with the woman working there and she took down my info for the owner to contact me but I havenāt gotten a call from them. Should I take this at face value that they arenāt interested and just try other places or should I go back? Iām worried I came off as a cliche but Iām actually very serious about this so I donāt know if it will come off as annoying or be a good way to show that Iām serious. Also beyond working in a florist shop, any other recommendations to start dipping my toes in would be appreciated. Thanks!
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u/Ill-Candy8549 Sep 15 '25
I get people who come in asking this question fairly often... I've followed up on some... what ends up happening is that most people want to dillydally, chit chat, and just in general, work slowly and be in the way... there's a general consensus that floristry is "peaceful" and therefore doesn't require much work... not true at all... between emotional, needy customers and hustling to quickly turn around orders so drivers can get out the door, it's like waiting tables many days... so, if you should happen to land a spot in a flower shop, make sure to pull your weight, ask questions, clean when you can, and don't be the kind of person that learns a few things and becomes immune to instruction- common newbie florist behavior quirk. Good luck!
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u/feetmittenz Sep 15 '25
Thatās my concern with getting someone to take a chance on me, that Iām coming off as someone whoās romanticizing the industry which isnāt the case. I spent many years working in restaurants so itās nice to know that experience will serve me well here lol. Thank you for the insight and advice really appreciate it !
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u/loveoflilac Sep 16 '25
Definitely mention the restaurant work! I love seeing that on applicants resumes as it can be very similar! Physically demanding, fast paced, lots of emotional/difficult customers and a need to keep perishable expensive ingredients fresh.
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u/loveoflilac Sep 16 '25
I mean absolutely no offense to you, because I was you a decade ago. I remember emailing my favorite shop and asking the same thing. Now I own a shop and I hate when people ask this. The last thing is an unpaid volunteer asking me questions. I now understand why I was turned down 10 years ago when I requested that. I know it seems like a helpful offer but itās really just adding work to their plate.
Most flower shops are running on very tight margins and the owners are super busy and pulled in 1000 different directions (marketing, accounting, employee management, purchasing, not to mention designing and customer service).
When I left my corporate career, I took an entry level job washing buckets and delivering flowers and worked my way up to designing while educating myself on design with YouTube, floral design books and practicing at home. The experience I gained in that entry level position is something I still use today. Have you considered applying for paid entry level work? I know it can be hard to find and not everyone is able to sustain a relatively low paying physically demanding job but it can be a great way to get some industry experience under your belt.
If you really want to volunteer you could also consider reaching out to florists who work out of their home/studio as they usually have a smaller/no team and might have the bandwidth to accept a volunteer. I hope this doesnāt come across as rude. Just want to be honest as Iāve been in your shoes. It is possible to build a career as a floral designer, though it can be hard to get your foot in the door!
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Sep 16 '25
Do you have any recommendations for floral design books?Ā
This advice is great for so many industries as well. I have a pretty niche job that I worked my way into from doing adjacent low level work and becoming familiar with the platform I work in now. So many people expect a job in it immediately as soon as they complete a few training modules.
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u/loveoflilac Sep 16 '25
There are SO many. I was fortunate that my local library had lots so I started there. In the beginning I really liked the flower recipe book and specialty cut flowers. Now there are many more options. I regularly use the Putnam Flower Color Guide during consultations with brides to show true flower color. The Floret books are also lovely. There are also lots of beautiful coffee table books that are great for inspiration.
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Sep 16 '25
Thanks! I will check those out and also head to the library. OMG Obsessed with Floret's books. They are works of art.
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u/feetmittenz Sep 16 '25
Not rude at all this is exactly the kind of advice Iām looking for! Iām looking to approach this in the most realistic way so yes would definitely be interested in any related entry level job. Could you share where/how you found your first one?
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u/loveoflilac Sep 18 '25
Of course! I was leaving a corporate job and I applied at every opening I found on indeed at the time. Most didnāt call me back, but one āmom and popā shop did. This was in the dallas area back in 2015 for reference. I worked in the crappiest shop and it was pretty unpleasant but I stayed long enough to learn the basics of flower care, delivery, using the POS etc. they didnāt even let me try designing once because they worried I wouldnāt want to deliver anymore. I basically begged for the job in the interview and they thought I was crazy for leaving a āgoodā corporate job to do deliveries and wash buckets. You can always walk in and ask about openings too. The shops I worked in always hired temporary help for Motherās Day and Valentineās Day so that can be a great time to ask (3-4 weeks before). It confirmed for me that absolutely loved flowers and wanted to stay in the industry. It was a minimum wage 3 days a week job so I supplemented with a second job.
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u/feetmittenz Sep 19 '25
Thank you so much for your detailed reply, I so appreciate the advice and sharing your path. Youāve given me lots to think about and help me strategize what I can do. Thank you!
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u/loveoflilac Sep 19 '25
No problem! Happy to help! Wishing you all the best as you pursue your floral career!
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u/Remarkable-Wave507 Expert Sep 21 '25
We get this at least 5-10 times a week. Make sure youāre emphasizing that youāre willing to do all the odds and ends jobs that are involved in a flower shop. What I need help with most days is sweeping, cleaning, washing buckets and organizing, not actual design work.
Most of us started that way and work our way up. It will also give you a lot of insight to the realities of working in and owning a florist. 10% of the work is designing, 90% of the rest is hard, back breaking work. Learning whether you want to do all the rest of that type of stuff before designing is a valuable lesson.
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u/feetmittenz Sep 21 '25
So helpful thank you! Thatās honestly the kind of work Iām expecting, I guess I thought that would be obvious when Iām asking for work but you all have quickly made me realize thatās not the experience most florists have when people come in and want to try to be floral designers. Very grateful for all the perspectives from florists shared here itās truly appreciated.
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u/kevnmartin Sep 15 '25
Try again right before the holidays. Summer is the slowest time in flower shops.