It feels amazing to reach a milestone where I’ve been running my floral design business for over 20 years! I’ve worked really hard over the years to build up my business and I can tell you that it’s all been completely worth it. I still love my job and my customers after all these years.
Part of why my hard work has paid off is due to the fact that I’ve been really focused on intentional planning in business so that I can create my business to fit into my life. (Having a successful business isn’t just about making money or “being busy”; it’s about creating happiness and fulfillment, too.)
I’ve done a lot of things to grow my business, and I thought it would be helpful to narrow down the top 10 things that had the biggest impact on my business success and my overall happiness factor, too.
Here are the top 10 things I’ve done to grow my home-studio floral design business the most:
#1. I Don’t Wait For Perfect.
I start before I’m ready. I jump right in. I schedule it, I experiment, I improve it….and I accept that whether I like it or not, in order to reach my full potential, I have to get out of my comfort zone and be brave enough to push through fear. Over and over again.
I force myself to try new things. I understand that as a business owner and floralpreneur®, I will try somethings that might not work out. I know I have to “put myself out there” and DO IT NOW….because the sooner I start, the sooner I can get the experimenting and trial & error out of the way. And then, I’m one step closer to my version of “perfect”.
Perfect takes practice.
You’ve never seen a bumper sticker that says, “Perfect happens.” Perfect doesn’t happen. It takes a ton of work and persistence to get closer and closer to your own personal brand of “perfect”. If you don’t start where you are now, you’ll never get where you’re going, right?!…..so start before you’re ready and don’t let a fear of “not being perfect” get in the way of reaching your potential.
Here are a few things I started imperfectly:
- Recording my first videos for FlirtyFleurs.com
- Editing & adding subtitles to videos in iMovie
- Photographing my own design work
- Updating my WordPress site
- Blogging
- Branding my business
- Hosting livestreams in my Facebook group!
I couldn’t afford to wait until I had enough money or time or training to get started….
And now, I’m SO much better at all of the above than I was in the beginning….and the main reason I’m better at these all things is because I pushed through fear of being “less than perfect” and just got to work.
Everybody has to start somewhere. Done is better than perfect.
Nobody gets “good at blogging” or hosting livestreams without actually putting themselves out there to write some dang blog posts and push past the fear of what might happen when you’re live on the air!
Remember: If you wait until it’s “perfect” before you finally announce it, release it, sell it, start it, get known for it….then you’ve already waited too long!
Click to watch a short video on the most important thing you can do in your business today:
If you push past perfect to implement something in your biz today feel free to drop me a line to tell me about it: floralartvt@gmail.com
(And if you want to arrange a time to talk one-on-one in a strategy session, click here for details.)
#2. I Double Down On Customer Service.
I decided a long time ago to focus on delivering a first class customer service experience.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in business for 3 years, 3 minutes or 3 decades… there’s nothing that defines your brand more than the experience you create for your customers.
We cannot forget about the love of the client.
I like to say that I deliver customer service with style, grace and chutzpah*.
*chutzpah noun. chutz·pah \ˈhu̇t-spə, ˈḵu̇t-, -(ˌ)spä\: personal confidence or courage that allows someone to do or say things that may seem shocking to others.
If you want to find better clients…
Create a better customer experience!
On the other hand…
I also set boundaries & rules for my business.
Customers can push your limits sometimes and it’s up to you to define the boundary by creating your own rules. It can be as simple setting minimums for example, or adding an expiration date on proposals…
Boundaries require that you anticipate problems and learn from experience.
Boundaries include (but are not limited to):
- how many updates you’ll make to a proposal before (and after) booking;
- whether you allow price reductions;
- your policy on in-person meeting requests;
- payment terms & refunds;
- whether you’ll fire a client;
- how you handle complaints…
All of your actions create your customer service experience and each is a component in your brand’s reputation.
I’ve created systems for my client management that feel like outstanding service.
After years of refining my pre-qualification systems I can:
- Feel CONFIDENT when explaining terms to a client,
- Forget FEARS about not being taken seriously,
- Gain AUTHORITY and build trust with prompt, concise replies,
- Make stronger CONNECTIONS so customers can actually understand my expectations,
- Increase my INCOME by stating minimums clearly so clients say YES to proposals, no questions asked!
Pro Tip: Replying promptly is half the battle in the age of online “everything”. I strive for prompt e-mail replies, prompt phone consultations and prompt proposals so that I often go from initial inquiry to deposit in 10-14 days.
If you want to streamline your systems and book more weddings more quickly, I share my client management & communication systems in my downloadable templates including:
- Wedding Workflow (with all 16 steps from the initial inquiry to post-wedding day follow-up!),
- E-mail Templates for Florists (from “everyday” e-mails to difficult conversations!),
(Each course is sold separately, or you can get a bundle and save!)
Testimonial:
“…It’s the best investment I’ve made in my business and has been an incredible value.
Your email templates and wedding work flow have been incredibly helpful for developing efficient business systems for my floral design business…when I look at where my processes were just two months ago today, it’s night and day. I am no longer investing precious time into consults with potential clients who “weren’t my clients,” and am instead able to spend that time on attracting my perfect clientele. I’m really really thankful.”
-Kim of Branches and Blooms Design
#3. I Pay Myself First.
Turning a profit allows me to keep doing the work I do best! This is why it is so important to price with confidence.
I’ve always made money in my business. Even when I was just started out my part-time flower gig turned a profit (like, when I was working out of the kitchen in our 2nd story apartment and only had a handful of weekly business accounts because I still hadn’t figured out how to book weddings!).
I learned in an accounting course in college that the first rule of business is to “pay yourself first”.
In real life, however, I’ve learned that a lot of florists missed this important lesson and seem to pay everyone else BUT themselves. And because they love their business, sometimes they let this go on for years (and years).
You should always pay yourself first.
Pro Tip: You don’t always have to increase your sales to make more money.
I never waiver on my pricing because I follow the same Flower Math Formulas I learned in several flower shops.and by doing so I’m able to maximize my profit margin on the cost of flowers and supplies.
By maximizing my profit, I get to keep more money for myself once all my business expenses are accounted for.
Florists must feel confident in applying markups and design fees so that you can provide value to your clients and turn a profit at the same time!
- The goal is to make 70% (or more) on the cost of flowers & supplies.
- All additional expenses come out of this 70% profit….this is why it’s so important to maximize the margin by following industry standard markups!
Don’t underestimate the value of your time and expertise.
If you’re less than 100% confident in your pricing & profitability, my online course, Flower Math, teaches you easy-to-follow formulas for pricing flowers and supplies and also shows you how to keep more of the money you’re already making by avoiding overbuying!
I created this course for floral designers who have a talent and love for flowers, but do not have anywhere to turn for mentorship to learn the business-side of the craft.
From industry standard mark-ups and how to apply them to recipes and wholesale ordering, plus 5 real weddings worth of sales, orders, recipes & real profits—I take you behind the scenes to show you how I turn a profit in my floral design business.
Click HERE to learn more about Flower Math.
Flower Math Students Say:
“In one wedding I felt more confident in my pricing & made my money back on the purchase of the class.
This really has been a game changer for me!!” -Susan of Wild Blume
#4. I quit my “other jobs” to do flowers full-time.
I started my business on a wing and prayer by stitching together seasonal work in the winter and summer with a few weekly business accounts.
Before I jumped into my biz full-time I:
- worked on an organic flower farm for a few summers
- trained at 7 flower shops either part-time or full-time
- got a Bachelor of Science in Plant & Soil Science
- minored in small business
- worked at a ski school
- and even worked for a landscaper
Between the ski school in the winters and the flower farm in the summers, I was able to “make it work” as I grew my part-time wedding biz, but nothing beats being my own boss. Full-time floralpreneur®.
It was a big, scary move to stop working for others so that I could devote my full attention to growing my business. It felt risky, but it was a necessary risk because in order to follow my passion and build a bloomin’ business, I had to take a leap!
It took me a few years to finally find the courage to NOT take another job. It was important to me to be able to generate a certain income level before I could justify quitting. I wanted some proof that my business wasn’t just a floral fantasy, by establishing a viable venture. Sometimes I felt wimpy for not taking the leap sooner. Other times I was grateful the I didn’t have the pressure that comes with relying on my seasonal business as my sole income source!
If you’re not sure if you can actually quit your side-hustle…or you’re wondering if you’re on track with your current income in your floral biz, Click HERE to watch my live chat: How much does a florist make?
#5. I Built My Brand On Quality.
I was lucky enough to learn on the job in several flower shops before starting my own business. I actually started working in the floral biz at the age of 16. I’ve been a florist all of my life!
And one of the most important lessons I learned over and over again is that prioritizing quality over quantity is the best way to build a good brand.
I’ve seen shops struggle to push quantity out the door and usually quality suffers because of it.
In our line of work, where time is of the essence, sometimes we have to “crank ’em out” (like Valentine’s Day & Mother’s Day) and while that may be the way florists push through busy seasons, it’s not easy to sustain a “high volume” floral business all year round and maintain high quality as well.
If quantity isn’t the target, then the logical choice is to build a reputation on quality.
A Quality Brand Provides:
- high value
- great service
- fresh product
- prompt attention
- and constantly aims to knock it out of the park!
By putting quality above all else, you can establish your own style of work, based on parameters that you define. And the people who appreciate the unique quality you bring to the table will continue to seek you out because a quality brand is always worth seeking out!
Your brand isn’t your logo or the number of followers you have on social media.
What you deliver to your customers determines your brand, which is why it’s essential to always lead with quality if you want to have a long-lasting business.
It’s a simple equation: Your Brand=What You Deliver
I’ve spent years practicing and developing the voice of my brand in order to lead with integrity and attract ideal clients.
You don’t need to be a branding expert to have a good brand, but you do need to dig deep and do some hard work to understand what it means to have a good brand and develop your brand-ing to work for your unique business goals.
People are willing to pay you more, walk farther, book earlier, wait longer, for a chance to experience a quality brand.
Always deliver quality.
Click here to read more about how I find “the right clients”.
#6. I Made A Website My Customers Love.
One of the most important things I’ve invested my time and money in is creating a website that reflects my brand and speaks directly to the heart of my ideal clients.
When I started my business in 2002 I had no idea how much time I’d spend learning how my website works, but sure enough, between my blogs, updating photo galleries, and my deep desire to tell my story authentically so the right clients can find me, well, I’ve gotten pretty good at updating my own websites.
By taking control of blogging and regularly updating my website, I used my platform to develop the voice of my brand.
My website functions as a tool that both attracts and serves my ideal clients.
Which comes first, a better website or better clients?
Well, that’s not easy to answer, but a great website certainly can’t hurt, right?! I mean, think about it….
Your website is your online storefront!
It’s the most powerful way to engage your potential clients and show the world what your brand is all about!
Plus, your website is the only part of your online presence that you actually own! (You don’t own Facebook or Instagram, but your website belongs to you.)
5 Website Facts:
- Chances are it’s the first point of contact with customers.
- A less-than-stellar website presence is a lost opportunity.
- An excellent website should be one of your sharpest sales tools.
- It’s always a work in progress.
- And it isn’t just about looking pretty.
Your website needs to do more than “look good”, it should actually “do work” for you. Because if it doesn’t help you pre-qualify and direct your customers to the content they need to see, you’re missing an opportunity to connect and make a sale.
Pro Tip: You’ll update your website multiple times over the life of your business and in fact, it’s a good idea to visit your website often to employ new branding strategies so that you can attract your ideal customers. If it’s been more than 6-10 months since you updated your site, it’s time to do some updating!
Question: Do your customers LOVE your website?
When you scroll through your website, answer the following questions:
“Does your website…”
- Lead clients through the pages you most want them to see?
- Explain the booking/ordering process?
- Represent your brand in its best light? (Is your website as professional as you are?)
- Help you prescreen clients for style and budget?
- Fully express what you do and what you sell? (You must be willing to sell on your site!)
If you didn’t reply with a resounding yes to all of the above, it’s not too late.
You can make some simple changes to start building an awesome website!
If you’re ready to take action today, you can grab my best website tips, tricks and techniques in my Website Bootcamp!
#7. I Plan For Success.
I started my business without a plan. I trained in flower shops so I “knew what I was doing” (mostly, kinda), but as far as an actual business plan, well, that seemed way too serious for my side-hustle.
But then, a few years into my business I had an opportunity to apply for a $10,000 grant and part of the application process required that I include portions of my business plan! I didn’t have a plan, yet, but I had to put one together ASAP.
I was intimidated by the idea of writing a business plan at first, but once I got started I found it was incredibly clarifying to write out my plans for the future of my business while also taking the time to document where my business was right in that moment!
That may have been the first time I wrote a business plan, but it wouldn’t be the last! (By the way, I didn’t win that grant, but I did make it into the top 10 finalists!)
When’s the last time you wrote a business plan? Was it 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Last week?
Because you can’t move forward if you’re following an outdated business plan.
When planning for success in business, it’s important to understand:
- What’s your current vision? (And if you’ve been in biz for a while, how does your current vision compare to the vision you set forth when you wrote your first biz plan?)
- What are your objectives? (ie. Why do you have this business?)
- What are your SWOTs? (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats)
- What strategies are you employing to reach your goals?
If you’re having a hard time answering some of the above questions, or if it’s been longer than 2 years since you updated a plan for your business, now’s the perfect time to put your business on a forward-thinking path!…
If you need some help getting starting with some business plan basics, check out my Business Plan Jumpstart! This is a quick, easy to follow 8-page pdf that you can download to get your biz plan in writing as well as a video of a live chat to help walk you through the pdf! And it’s only $17. Click here to get it!
#8. I Don’t Overbuy.
I cannot stress this enough: It doesn’t matter what you charge, if you overbuy!
In addition to following industry markups & design fees that I teach in Flower Math, I only buy what I need. I have a profit goal, but I don’t have a “spending goal”; I only buy the number of stems I need to fill my orders to value.
(In other words, I keep my wholesale orders tight and right.)
When I started my business in the spring of 2002, I thought I should “build an inventory” of vases, rental items, containers, etc….ya know, like a flower shop! But I learned pretty quickly to only buy what I need.
At this point in my business, I’m not interested in building up inventory. I don’t need inventory. If I need something for an event, I can buy it for that particular customer and add it to my inventory once it’s already been fully paid for by the client.
Since I take a deposit before buying any flowers & supplies, I don’t have many out-of-pocket expenses (which is super helpful when you run a business on a shoestring budget!) and I can ensure my 70% profit margin on every order I sell if I don’t overbuy.
I also don’t overspend on things like photoshoots and online advertising. However, I do spend money on accountants, lawyers, quality footwear, and business tools and coaching!
#9. I Never Stop Learning.
I always appreciate an opportunity to advance my knowledge and learn new tricks. One of my favorite ways to learn is by attending hands-on workshops and business seminars, but I couldn’t always afford to invest in learning new techniques.
I first started exploring what it means to elevate my brand and attract the right customers by absorbing as many free blog posts as possible and seeking out experts that my favorite bloggers recommended. One business guru linked to another and another until I developed a small nexus of business freebies that informed and inspired.
I took my first “leap of faith” by purchasing an online course about running a business with integrity and heart. I was on fire with new energy, inspiration, and ideas as I worked my way through the worksheets and brainstorming sessions in that course.
And then, I sought out even more. I try to regularly attend conferences lead by other industry leaders with integrity brands which help inspire me to build my business even better. I know I am always learning, striving for improvement and moving closer and closer to my very best version of me.
I’ve continued to study and practice what it means to find ideal clients and hone the voice of my brand and I share everything that I’ve learned and practiced over the years in my course, The Art Of Good Business.
Investing in my business education has paid off. It’s been worth the time and money I’ve spent–and continue to spend–because every year is a learning year!
I still make time for as many free business webinars as I can. Whether the topic is on Facebook Ads or building an e-mail list or a design tutorial on YouTube, I seek out any knowledge that might push me closer to my goals.
#10. I Found Community.
Many florists work alone at least part of the time, but the truth is, you’re not alone! There are a lot of us out here, working away on the weekends and holidays, sometimes late into the evenings, too….so even though you may be “alone”, there’s a floral army out there with you!
I get by with a little help from my friends.
One of the smartest things I did was make some Flower Friends. Having someone who understands the unique pressures of running a floral business to bounce ideas off of and engage in thoughtful business discussions is a huge part of what makes me a better business owner. Over time, I’ve sought out community by attending workshops and conferences, and I even created a community of my own over on Facebook!
You can ask to join my FB group here: www.facebook.com/groups/RealFlowersBusiness
So there ya have it! 10 things I did to grow my biz. I hope you’ll take away a few tips that can inspire you on your floral journey.
If you dig this post please share it, pin it and leave a comment if you’d like!
Everything I create is made with love from me to you.
If you have any questions for me before, during, or after signing up for a course, you can e-mail me any time floralartvt@gmail.com
Keep doing beautiful work!
xo. -Alison Ellis
Grab My FREE Ebook!
P.S. I have a new FREE eBook AVAILABLE NOW! It’s called Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business, The Tao Of A Floralpreneur®, and you can get it right here!
