Floral Pros: You Can Build Strength and Resilience in Uncertain Times

It seems the people we admire—those with long-running successful businesses, lovely Instagram pages, beaming families, and full lives—all have one thing in common: They can weather the storms and come out damp, but smiling. They are resilient. Resilience allows those special people to carry on through tough spots, do what needs to be done, and stay calm in a way that reduces anxiety for all around them.

At Team Flower, we are all linked by a love of flowers—from growers, designers, and florists to those who simply appreciate their exquisite beauty. Current stresses in our industry have us all wondering how to build the resilience that we need to meet the challenges head-on and to emerge intact. The good news is resilience is a trait that can be built in stages, practiced, and shared!

Recently, the world has been shaken to the core—and our usual ways of doing business, getting supplies we need, gathering for celebrations of all sorts, and marketing through traditional channels has been completely disrupted. If you’re a grower, you may have had difficulty getting seed and labor. You may have lost the farmer’s market where you were selling much of your product for years to customers who know you by name. If you are a designer or florist, your lucrative wedding calendar has just gone out the window, and your supply of imported staple florals has dried up. We’re all experiencing bewildering changes that seem to be designed to deprive us all of flowers—especially at a time when their joy is needed so desperately.

The resilient few are finding new markets—local growers are selling directly to grocery stores and florists to replace lost farmer’s markets and fill the gap of canceled imports. Florists are trying new local flower sources and changing designs to match the seasonal materials they can access. Designers are offering well-received online courses to offset the losses incurred by temporary venue closures. Sometimes the adjustments are huge, but resilient leaders are adapting and smiling. How?

Here are some ideas that might help you think creatively about what you can do to get through this challenging time and be better prepared in the future.

1. Stay Focused on What You Can Control

Stay focused on the things you can control and let go of those you can’t. If you are a flower grower, it may be that your market has changed dramatically, and you can’t see a path forward to sales. So stay focused on what you can control—the production of beautiful blooms—and don’t waste your creative energy worrying about things you have no control over. While you’re doing the work of growing flowers, some new opportunities may present themselves, or you may end up donating flowers and building your community goodwill and brand.

2. Brush up rusty Floral skills or acquire some new ones

While focusing on the things that you do well, try to build one or two new skills—learning to do something new builds your competence and confidence that you will emerge stronger and better. How many of us have needed to learn some new IT skills? Things like using the internet to let customers know how to reach you and access your products, setting up electronic payment systems, and yes, even learning to use that digital camera! Be willing to share your knowledge with others who need help too.

3. Build Your Floral Networks

Build or revive your personal and business networks to prevent feeling overwhelmed or alone. Every flower professional needs a group of folks with similar values but diverse skills and interests, people who will be there for you when you need a shoulder to cry on or to provide a nudge to get going. And all professionals need a trusted soundboard to test out crazy creative ideas and to tackle problems as a team. If you are not a people person or are an introvert, you still need a tiny group of friends and colleagues (or maybe even just your mom if she is your greatest fan) to bounce ideas off of. Take the time and energy to cultivate this group by phone, Facebook, Zoom, or Instagram, because even if you don’t need them today, you will need them tomorrow. And remember they need you too—be generous in your deposits to the bank of goodwill.

4. Pinpoint What is Needed

Monitor your business landscape and solicit input from your key stakeholders (suppliers, customers, and clients) to determine what they need. Their pain points may create opportunities for you. Brainstorm with the “creatives” in your life to figure out how you can address current needs. Then sit with your fresh ideas for a while (overnight is good) to determine which ones are right for you. Accept that opportunities may be fleeting and that not every decision you make will be the right one, but don’t let doubt be paralyzing.

5. Speak Kind Words To Yourself

Remind yourself frequently that you are actually really good at what you do. You make things grow. You make things beautiful. You help others express emotions of love, appreciation, and sympathy. Your skill of filling the world with beauty is what drew you to flowers in the first place, and it will carry you through the tough times. The world needs what you have to offer.

6. Acknowledge the Challenges

There seem to be so many roadblocks and challenges to overcome time and again that perhaps you are exhausted by the effort. Grief over what you have lost is a heavy burden, especially when carried alone. But the tough times build resiliency and depth. It is hard, but you can do it.

7. Remember It’s all worthwhile—and you are appreciated 

Most days we don’t get to see that special moment when the flowers are received. We aren’t right there when Mom receives the bouquet that honors her on Mother’s Day, when a floral arrangement marks the birth of a precious new life or the passing of a treasured friend, when a lovely bouquet says the right words, or when a misty-eyed dad pins a boutonniere on his son’s wedding suit coat. It is hard to measure how much your work means to others, how your talent has brightened someone’s day, or how it has lifted a sad heart or celebrated a dream come true. But flowers speak their own language—with your help. Be sure to stop a moment and let them speak to you too.

Resilience is a skill that you can build by holding on to your core values and being flexible with the elements of your business and personal life that you can change. Resilience is more than just survival—it provides the opportunity for creative growth, for letting go of what isn’t working perfectly and for trying new ideas that may change your approach and your client base. Collaborating with others, for example, by connecting with your colleagues through Team Flower is a key element in understanding where your talents are needed most. Be inspired by the blooms we love and by sharing their joy with all!