Real Flower Business

Education and Business Training for Floral Designers.

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Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

Free Tips On Starting A Business

Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business is my new FREE eBook and you can get it TODAY!

Get It HERE!

This 35 page book is part memoir, part how-to and 100% honest regarding my 25 years in the industry and 17 years as a small business owner.

I hope you’ll check it out and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

SO WHAT DOES A GOOD FLORIST REALLY DO?

A good florist has an excellent eye for color and design…but there’s SO MUCH MORE that goes into owning a small business than arranging flowers.

Most people think, “It must be nice to play with flowers all day”, but the truth is that florists spend WAY more time on “other things” (like writing proposals and working on the computer!) than we’d like to admit…

  • Invoicing,
  • High expectation customers,
  • Questionable quality on fresh product,
  • Websites and social media to update,
  • Employees to manage,
  • Delivery logistics,
  • Taxes to pay,
  • and To-Do Lists!….oh, the To-Do Lists!

The idea that florists “play with flowers all day” is a MYTH and anyone who opens a business expecting that FLOWERS will be the main focus on a daily basis is sure to discover “all the other things” that require your immediate attention.

Running a business without basic business foundations can lead to unnecessary mistakes that result in lost income AND over-working.

It’s exhausting to try to “make it up as you go” AND “give it your all”…especially if you’re leaving money on the table. That’s what leads to burn out!

Some people walk alone on their biz journey, while others look for a quick fix: take one workshop and you’ll have all the tools you need!….or, sign up to learn how to make “six figures” in your small floral design business “just like they do”….or get a special software system to “do the work for you”…

But there isn’t 1 RIGHT WAY to run a floristry business and there isn’t 1 PERFECT METHOD that guarantees your success.

Get the book HERE!

Here’s the truth:

Floral design is actually hard work!…and every floral designer has to make their own way in business.

There isn’t a guaranteed shortcut to the top, but there are some important lessons that can take years off your learning curve (EVEN IF YOU’VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR YEARS ALREADY!).

I share some of the MOST VALUABLE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED over the past 17 years in business in my FREE eBook, Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business—The Tao Of A Floralpreneur®!

Check out my FREE download to get some of my best tips, lessons and shortcuts to help you on your own business journey!

Click to get It HERE!

Here’s what’s covered in the book:

Page 7 Get Your Hands Dirty   

Page 12 Make It Noteworthy 

Page 15 Great Brands Do This

Page 17 Best & Worst Lessons

Page 23 My Small Business Plan

Page 26 Mom Like A Boss

Page 28 Make It, Don’t Fake It 

Page 29 Master Your Domain 

Page 32 Become A Guru 

Page 33 Invest In You   

Page 35 Market Like A Boss 

Page 36 An Invitation

Grab it HERE!

Here’s what Mallory said in my Facebook group today:

“Thanks for this, Alison! BTW–signing up for a free phone call with Alison (as mentioned in the e-book) is a WONDERFUL opportunity and you should do it…she is so generous with her wisdom and genuinely wants to help you, and her resources are all A++”

I made this book for YOU.

For floralpreneurs of any experience level and every stage of business…

Because this work isn’t easy and ya gotta love it.

And I do. I love it.

Thanks for taking the time to sign up and check it out HERE!

With love from me to you,

Alison

Get the ebook!

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Website Bootcamp July Sale

A funny thing happened…I recently updated my website and I got 5 new inquiries in the last 4 days.

BUT I hear a lot of florists who are disappointed with their inquiries as of late. 

This isn’t a problem that’s unique to any one level of business. (Even experienced florists experience a lag sometimes.)
So many florists get STUCK and know it’s time to make a significant change, but lack of time (or know-how) keeps you from committing to change. 
You don’t have to make big changes….you can make little ones instead.
 

Changes like…

  • Getting crystal clear on YOUR specific niche,
  • Letting go of offerings that don’t work,
  • Shifting focus on what you want in your business,
  • Embracing your business as a profitable gig and not a hobby,
  • Investing in sharing your message on a deeper level to attract better clients…
 
I told you I got 5 new inquiries in the last 4 days and that’s because I updated my website about a week ago. It’s still a work in progress, but there’s no doubt that the work I put into my site helped create those results.
 
I don’t know how long you’ve been in business.
I don’t know how long you’ve been struggling with low-budget inquiries.
I don’t know the last time you updated your website or improved your About page or wrote a blog post, but if you want to put your best foot forward and book great clients for 2020 (and beyond), then it’s time to make some strategic changes to your website right NOW. ❤️
 
And my 3-Day Website Bootcamp will walk you through the most important changes to make ASAP.
And it’s ON SALE thru July 7th for 10% OFF click HERE to get it!
  • Each class is approximately 1-hour and includes notes and homework.
  • There are 10 videos included in the Bootcamp.
  • This course is self paced and you can access the entire course as soon as you sign up.
 
Tascha wrote on Day 1 to say:
“I tweaked my tabs and dropdowns and also simplified my contact form. I don’t know if this is a coincidence but…has anyone else gotten an influx of inquiries this afternoon/evening? No joke, I got FOUR! 2 within the past half hour.”
 
Here’s what another Bootcamper said:
“I can do this at my own pace and revisit the info as needed. I like that it was presented in a way that was not overwhelming in regards to doing the homework….
I ended up redoing my entire website and still working on the SEO and blogging sections. But I think my website is much better than before with a lot more content (doesn’t look like a 3rd grader made it haha) Thanks Alison!!!!”

 

Here’s what you get when you register for my Website Bootcamp:

 
Day 1-Eliminate confusion and make a great impression.
 
You’ll learn:
How to improve your first impression.
How to get more people to “click to contact” you.
3 important must-haves every website should have.
 
Day 2-Elevate your About page and attract the best clients.
 
You’ll learn:
How to write better copy on your About page.
What your About page is missing.
How to pre-qualify clients for budget.
 
Day 3-How to get found without paying for ads.
 
You’ll learn:
The #1 way to get organic SEO.
How to position yourself as an expert.
3 essential steps for SEO you may be missing!
 
Samantha said:
“So grateful for this bootcamp! The inquiry form is saving me from a long phone call to find a budget that is just not realistic.”

 

Here’s what one Bootcamper in Autralia said:
“I think when it’s your biz you can become blind sighted like, “nah, I’m ok”. But the bootcamp takes those blindfolds off baby! And this course helps you to rethink and look. So easy and informative. Everyone will benefit.“
 
Click to enroll and SAVE $10 Off Today thru 7/7/19: https://courses.realflowerbusiness.com/product/website-bootcamp
This isn’t a course on ‘how to build a website from scratch’,
but on how to IMPROVE your website….OR how to tell your web designer EXACTLY what you need done to make your site function well.
It’s compatible with any website platform you use, though I use WordPress on my sites.
 
Sandi said:
“I have almost tweaked what I wanted to tweak on the website (my call to actions are all in place now Alison!) I have had such a great run of bookings which has been amazing as this year has been terrible for conversion- now I am nailing almost all of the enquiries. The brides are filling in the enquiry form answering all of the questions too- so thanks Alison so much!”
❤️
Look, I KNOW it’s not fun to update your website…I just did it, believe me, I get it!
But with my shortcuts and website hacks, you’re going to get results! So don’t delay. Sign up now and save.
I look forward to seeing you in the class!
xo. -Alison

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Should florists use floral foam?

Should florists use floral foam?

Is floral foam biodegradeable?

I mean, is it “really that bad” for the environment that you should join the #nofloralfoam movement?…

The truth is, it’s complicated! Florists say, “but Oasis is biodegradable!”….but there are some very specific conditions required for foam to biodegrade in a landfill, and most landfills don’t meet those environmental conditions!….and even the company itself doesn’t purport to be “eco-friendly now” so much as they’re letting us know they’re “still working on it”….

I started my wedding season on June 1st and while I was cleaning out my studio in prep for the big start, I found a partial box of floral foam and I thought to myself, “What am I going to do with this?….” So I hopped into my Facebook group to share my thoughts on how to handle the floral foam in my possession!

Click to watch:

Here are a few foam free designs from the weekend that I shared on Instagram (make sure to scroll the images!):

And here’s a look as we were breaking down the next day (scroll again!):

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The morning after… I got a few questions on the #nofloralfoam ceremony piece from yesterday so here’s another look at it about 24 hours later!…we used no floral foam, but chicken wire and bricks are the main mechanics here!….we water tubed the hydrangea and spirea….the only things things that wilted were the hydrangea and spirea!….larkspur, snapdragons and cremones still look good even without a water source. (Though it rained last night and while we were breaking down!) ☔️ These were 2 pieces put together and as you can tell they’re lightweight! 💪 You’ll see the back of the arrangement and it’s morning-after condition as ya flip through! 😉 We covered the bricks with moss and tied them onto the wire with bind wire. #nofloralfoam #floralpreneur #weddingflorist #floraldesign #realflowerbusiness

A post shared by Alison Ellis (@realflowerbusiness) on

The moral of the story is simple: Do your best! Be mindful. Be eco-friendly as much as you can in your life AND in your business!

The floral industry is not “eco-friendly” as a general rule, but there’s nothing that says we shouldn’t try!

As always, keep doing beautiful work, floralpreneur®!

With love from me to you,

Alison

Learn more about Alison here!

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Do You Have Extra Flowers?

Will you have extra flowers for the caterer?

I honestly can’t imagine there’s a florist alive who hasn’t been asked this question and I think this is an important conversation because there are different points of views on whether it’s “pushing too far” or “no big deal” when people ask for free “extra” flowers.

If you need a little help “politely declining” a request for free “extras”, click here to get a free e-mail template: “Do you have any extra flowers” (free download)

It’s not always easy to say “no” to a client or fellow wedding vendor…especially when it seems like it should be “so easy to say yes”!

When customers ask if you can “throw in some extra flowers for the food tables”, the request may seem simple enough, but if you’re ordering based on what you need to fill your recipes, there’s a good chance you won’t have “that many extras”….so promising a “yes” to extras that you can’t guarantee can lead to disappointment.

You set the rules in your business! (And hopefully my template can help you out!)

With love from me to you,

Alison

Got E-Mail Templates?

I help florists type less and flower more with templates:

You can access these pdf’s as soon as you purchase.

(Floralpreneurs often tell me they use my templates the same day they buy them.)

realflowerbusiness.com, online courses for florists

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3-Day Website Bootcamp

realflowerbusiness.com Website Bootcamp

Your website is your #1 sales tool.

As a florist, you know it’s essential that you keep your tools sharp!

Whether you updated your website last week or last year, NOW is the time to get your website in shape so that you can attract the very best clients who are eager to work with you….

So, to help you in this effort, I’m hosting a 3-day Website Bootcamp and you are invited to join me!

This course will show you how to put your BEST foot forward and get more clients to click on your contact form!

Here are the details…

When: May 14, 15, 16 @12pm EST/ 9am PST/ 5pm London

Where: In a closed Facebook group for paid members only

You can watch a replay any time AND I’ll e-mail you the training as well!

Cost: $79 if you register before April 30th at 5pm

Price increases to $89 thru May 7th deadline.

Bonus: The first 5 people to register will receive a FREE website review! This will be a recorded video of your website with tweaks, changes and updates to help you improve engagement and increase your bookings! You can make these changes yourself or share them with your website designer! ($150 value)

Click here to enroll and save your seat!

Click here to enroll and before the doors close!

Tell me more….

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