Hello, floralpreneur.
I’m Alison Ellis. I teach florists how to rock the business-side of their business. I design online courses to help you make more money, book better events, type fewer e-mails, create an awesome website and build a long lasting brand. Welcome to realflowerbusiness.com.
Grab my FREE e-mail course “How To Book More Weddings More Quickly“.
“Alison is the real deal. The knowledge that she shares…is solid – no fluff here. She has such an amazing understanding of how to attract your ideal client by speaking directly to them…I really appreciate Alison’s perspective because she’s running a successful business that is built around a top-notch customer service experience.” -Jessie @maidenhairfloral
Florists say:
“Alison is that mentor/friend that every florist should have. She gives a great perspective on problems that face a small business owner. [I’d recommend Alison’s courses to] anyone who needs guidance in the floral industry…it can be so isolating…”
-anonymous floralpreneur
“I’ve been given a roadmap for business success that will be a baseline for my future growth…
Alison has put her heart and her vast knowledge into this class. She is open and supportive. Honest and kind. She will tell the truth. She is clear and concise. She is a bit of a genius and she’ll bring out the genius in you!…the inquiries started coming, I booked three clients and have two new prospects!”
From Alison:
I believe in the art of good business.
My mission is to educate and empower floralpreneurs to achieve their business goals and build long-lasting brands, which is why I share heartfelt advice from my personal experience with professional florists around the globe in my free videos, online business courses and Facebook communities.
Try a FREE training course today:
“Hey everyone! I just have to say… Alison’s content works! If you are dragging your feet…just do it!…”
What is a floralpreneur?
A floral designer with initiative & business savvy is what I call a “floralpreneur”.
Floralpreneurs who take my courses range from 30-year floral industry pros (a species known as the “flora-saurus” as one industry pro wrote to me!) to aspiring business owners & designers in their first few years (or even months!) of business. You don’t have to buy anything from me to be a floralpreneur! Join my free Facebook group here & Try a free course today!
“That’s what she said….”
Read success stories from real florists who’ve tried my courses here.
“You are the Floral Godmother!!! I’m in the beginning of my floral journey and your videos are giving me wings!! Thank you for sharing your magic!!” -Jennesa (via YouTube)
How’d you get started?
I’ve been a floral designer for 23 years. I have a Bachelor of Science in Plant & Soil Science from The University of Vermont, as well as a minor in small business.
I started my own home-studio floral business, Floral Artistry, in 2002 out of the kitchen of our 2nd floor apartment and 2018 marks my 17th season in business.
I took my first hands-on floral design class at a summer workshop in 5th grade.
I enjoyed my first floral course so much that when I began looking for my first job, my mother suggested I apply at the floral cart in the mall;
“Remember how much you enjoyed that floral design class when you were a kid? They’re hiring at the flower cart….why don’t you apply there?“
I must have applied to nearly every pizza parlor and clothing store in that mall, but Laura from the flower cart was the only one to invite me to an interview. Clearly, it was meant to be. I started working as a florist at the age of 16, and my 28 year old boss, the original flower boss in my world, taught me everything I needed to know in order to work solo-shifts at the flower cart; which I did for the next 2.5 years for about 20-24 hours a week during the school year…and more during summers and holidays. I can still remember my first Valentine’s Day, it was bananas!…the pressure to keep up the pace was somehow invigorating…and as hard as I worked, I had a lot of fun, too.
I worked at 6 different flower shops between the ages of 16-25, specializing in everything from bucket washing to cash & carry wraps to customer service to wire-service orders to wholesale purchasing to my very first experience with wedding work in 2001.
I’ve learned quite a few tricks over the years and I’ve perfected a few tricks of my own. In November 2015, I released my very first course, Flower Math, and I’ve been creating courses ever since. I really do love to talk about the business of the flower business.
I first started talking to florists as a guest contributor to FlirtyFleurs.com in 2011. I’m currently a business contributor to Florists’ Review Magazine and I’m also a member of the Chapel Designers.
My online business training for florists includes free video training courses, downloadable pdfs, and my Floralpreneur Mastermind Series including Flower Math, The Art of Good Business and private 1:1 coaching sessions.
Before you buy a course or hire a coach ask if they have the qualities of a great mentor:
- Is this person getting amazing results in their business?
- Do they get those outcomes by doing what they teach?
- Are their clients getting amazing results, too?
- Are they willing to share real numbers?
- Is there real support and real accountability that comes along with this purchase?
- Will this information shorten my learning curve?
(The answers should be “yes!” to all 6!)
Pros know: The right business advice can take years off of your learning curve!
I’m the author of over a dozen online courses for florists:
- Flower Math. The Florist’s Guide To Pricing And Profitability,
- E-mail Templates for Florists,
- Build A Better Website,
- Contracts For Florists,
- How To Write Proposals That Sell,
- Wedding Workflow and
- The Art of Good Business,
AND FREE courses:
- Flower Boss, A Free Training Course For Florists,
- 4 Pricing Mistakes Florists Make,
- Floral Crown Tutorial and
- How To Book More Weddings More Quickly.
Join me and thousands of florists around the globe in my Facebook group. (it’s free!)
More from Alison:
I live in Vermont with my husband and son, along with our very sleepy cat, Lily.
You can see my floral design portfolio here: floralartvt.com
Get in touch!
I’d love to hear from you! Ask to join my Facebook group here.
To ask me a question or drop me a line e-mail: info@floralartvt.com
Grab my FREE e-mail course “How To Book More Weddings More Quickly” here.
FAQ’s
Which course should you take first?
The answer to this question really depends on your own personal business goals and struggles, however, what I’ve noticed over the past few years is that the #1 thing florists struggle with is pricing and as a business owner I believe the #1 most important thing for you to understand is how to price your work! Turning a profit is essential to staying in business. If your pricing and profitability foundation could use some reenforcement check out Flower Math first!
If you already have your pricing on lock (you’re making 70% profit on the cost of your flowers and supplies), then what’s your current burning question?
How do you spend less time on clients who aren’t a good fit?
How to Write Proposals That Sell
Free: How to Book More Weddings More Quickly
How do you attract better clients who value your work?
Build A Better Website: 12 Website Secrets
How do you define the terms for your customers so they follow your rules?
How can you improve your website?
Free: Website Tips for Florists
Build A Better Website: 12 Website Secrets
How can you work with Alison one-on-one?
E-mail me to request a Private Strategy Session
