Do I need to meet with the client? Where do I meet someone if I’m home-based? What do I talk about at the consultation? Those were the many questions I had when I first started. In this article I share what I've learned about consultation meetings.
Member Roundup: Selecting Seeds and Bulbs
For many, it's that time of year when you start to plan for what flowers you will grow in the upcoming season. This process involves countless seed catalogs, website visits, number crunching and more! We reached out to just a few of the flower growers that are a part of Team Flower to get their advice on planning for a new growing season
Movement through Color Progression
Learn about Cup and Saucer vine (Cobaea scandens) and how it correlates to color progression. We also provide tips on growing the flower and how to use it in an arrangement.
For the love of dirt
Soil quality affects native plant life, wildlife, water quality, the food we eat and the flowers we love. In this post, we address what soil is, why quality soil is important to grow flowers and how to maintain soil quality in a sustainable way.
Revenue Ideas for Flower Farmers
If you are a farmer-florist and thinking about breaking into the wedding industry or are looking to restructure your farm’s offerings, this article will help. Pressly's experiences will give you great additional revenue ideas and help you make steps towards growing your business!
Why we made a business sustainability class
Learn about Kelly's personal story that led to the creation of the latest Team Flower class — Sustainable Business Growth.
Free wallpapers - Steady
Download a new free inspirational wallpaper from Team Flower — for your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Growing Your Team
Sophie talks about the decision making behind adding two new people to her team. She shares what made her come to the conclusion she needed extra help, and what it's been like since she hired them on.
Why it's great to own a shop
Yes, there will be some stressful times but if owning a shop is something that’s on your heart — chase it! We only get this one beautiful life where everything happens for some purpose, and I want you to have that life you love!
How & why to grow raspberry for foliage
While raspberries are a common garden plant and found on most rural farms, they're not a common design element in floral arrangements. This fact is what makes it a new and exciting plant! With local growers popping up everywhere, being a “shippable” product isn’t the only factor anymore, which opens the door to new and unlikely plants being usable. Soon, raspberry foliage will become an industry standard!
When to say no to the dream project
At times as floral entrepreneurs, we are challenged by situations that force us to draw a line in the sand and to stand unwaveringly by the principles that guide the future success of our business. Sometimes that means saying "no" when you want to say yes.
Transitioning from professional gardener to flower farmer
If there are any future flower farmers out there, I would strongly suggest starting small so you can keep it manageable. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by all there is to do. By keeping it manageable, you will gain confidence and skills and be able to expand as you are able. I would also strongly suggest irrigation, a staking method that works for you and a layout of your fields which keeps everything organized and orderly.
Make styled shoots work for your business
Styled shoots, or “mock weddings” are an amazing way to diversify your portfolio and market your company. As a florist in the wedding scene, styled shoots have been an excellent way to get my name out there and network with other professionals. However, I spent the first nine months of my business avoiding them like the plague. I felt insecure spending money on something that may not be profitable, and I wasn’t sure how to best represent my brand. I’ve since come around, though, and now I love participating in styled shoots!
Learning from the first year of growing flowers
Flower farming has been a dream of mine for many years and this year it finally happened. When I was in college, I studied Production Horticulture, and the dream began. It’s been a little over ten years now since I worked in the horticulture industry. This spring I took the plunge and started. It’s been a roller coast ride so far. There are things that I did this year that will be different when I start again next year. So I thought I’d share some tips for making year two count.
Marketing Yourself as a New Floral Designer
Being a "newbie" in the field of floral design is exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I remember soaking in new information like a sponge — quickly learning design strategies, varieties of flowers, pricing ideas, and more! However, the most difficult task for me and I would assume for most other newer floral designers is marketing your business to your ideal clients.
Why you should be growing more foliage and filler
Filler and foliage are what makes a bouquet stand apart from a bunch of flowers! It’s not just the focal flowers that growers should focus on — it’s filler and foliage too. Foliage is key in creating the structure of an arrangement. Foliage also provides a foil that contrasts with and emphasizes the qualities of the focal flower. Filler adds charm, character, and personality to your bouquet along with adding body and substance to your stems.
Flower shops: Buy existing or start from scratch?
The dream of having your own flower shop is an amazing one to have! I wish I would get a quarter for every time someone has said to me, “I’ve always wanted to own a shop.” So, if this is something that you want and can’t stop thinking about — go for it, but test it out first. I’m here to give you a few helpful steps to make this process a little less overwhelming for you!
Starting Small With Growing Flowers Makes All The Difference
I wasn't going to "just grow a small cutting garden." However that's exactly what I did, and I couldn't be happier. Start small. Start intentionally. Start by growing things that thrive in your area. Having success your first year is so important to keeping you motivated for the next year.
Pay Yourself - A Helpful Method for Tracking Income
The easiest thing to do when you’ve started a new business is to not pay yourself. If you’re working a full time job, and have started a business on the side, it’s easy to think, “I’ll just put this money I’m making back into the business”. Starting good habits of managing your business income from the very start makes it easier to adapt to the business being your sole source of income later. Here are a few tips on getting started early with paying yourself, and ensuring you’re setting aside enough for putting back into your business.
Home Studio Space vs. Rented Space
Is your current workspace holding you back from overall growth? If you’re at this turning point in your flower journey (or simply reserving information for the future), I hope you have a moment to explore what may be best for your business.