Real Flower Business

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By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

What I’m Obsessed With In My Business Right Now

I invited floralpreneurs to join me for a LIVE chat in my Facebook group in December so I could share what I’m obsessed with in my business right now…and what I plan to stay obsessed with for the forseeable future. I hope you’ll watch and get obsessed, too!


Click to watch!

And if you’re ready to “get obsessed” and you’re interested in The Art of Good Business CLICK HERE.


If you’d like to see a full list of my courses, Click here.

December 14, 2017 — 6:57 pm

By Alison Ellis 1 Comment

3 Pricing Tips for Florists

realflowerbusiness.com, florist pricing tips

Anytime is a good time of the year to plan ahead for a successful upcoming season…..but when you’re a floralpreneur® who “does it all”, it can be overwhelming to try to make the time to “think forward”.

You’re not alone! Take a few minutes to appreciate yo’self and don’t let the non-stop hustle and bustle of balancing “all the things you have to do” bog you down.

Whether you run a brick & mortar shop or you’re operating from a home-based studio, I have 3 Pricing Tips for you today, including…

  • Follow industry standards on pricing….
  • Don’t price “based on need”….that’s a myth that can limit your income potential….
  • Trickle down economics is also a myth, BUT trickle down confidence is something I believe in….
  • PLUS charging for delivery & set-up…
  • AND why you shouldn’t have a “spending goal” on wholesale purchases!

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my tips below and make this the year you finally master your pricing!

And if you want to learn how to price with confidence & stop over-buying so you can increase your income, I teach you everything I know about pricing in Flower Math! 

Sign up & SAVE $100!


Click to watch, Price Talk: Live on Dec. 8th in my Facebook group (click here to join my group!).


Remember: A lack of confidence in your pricing can permeate into other aspects of your business.

Having your pricing on lock is your responsibility as a business owner. You owe it to yourself to be paid for your time and expertise.

The good news is you can make money and provide value to your clients. (Pricing is not a mystery.)


Additional Resources:

  • Do you need a business plan? Check out my Business Plan Jumpstart here!
  • In today’s video I mentioned an upcoming chat on “What I’m Obsessed With In My Business” and you can get that replay HERE.
  • And if you’re ready to dive into Flower Math and finally master your pricing, Click here for details.

Thanks for reading! Keep doing beautiful work!

With love from me to you,

Alison

floral design business courses, floristry, floral design, Alison Ellis


Flower Math review, online courses for florists


Flower Math review

Learn more about Flower Math HERE.

December 9, 2017 — 7:15 pm

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

The best way to evaluate a course: Real Florist Reviews

In my last two blog posts I shared survey results from real florists on why they did not sign up for my course, The Art of Good Business, and today I want to share the outcome and results from real floralpreneurs who DID take the leap to join my course.


I truly believe the best way to evaluate a course is to hear from real life florists.

(You can check out a FREE preview of the course here.)


Here’s what real florists had to say about The Art of Good Business:

“There is so much content in this course! Definitely exceeded expectations.
The most important part of this course for me was the section on choreographing the customer service portion of my business. I am learning how to communicate clearly and lead my clients in a way that builds trust and sets realistic expectations.
This course is great for anyone that is ready to refine their business practices. You have to be ready to take action for this to really make a difference.
I really enjoyed the live portion of the course…Felt like having you there with us.”
-Jessie Partridge

“Because it was nearly impossible for me to atend the live stream, it was invaluable to be able to watch when I was able to.
This is a terrific course for a floral design company to take their business knowledge to the next level. It also supports and confirms a more experienced designer and can round out any deficits.”
-Lisa Sommers

“I was hesitant to start and not finish the course online, but this course was very accessible.
 
[This course is for]…anyone and everyone seriously interested in improving their business. Learning to be passionate, but at the same time differentiate a hobby from a business.
I would love to do it again…”
-Sarita De Castro

“Being a success is more than dollars earned, recognition, or floral-designing mastered. More than visibility on social media or working prestigious venues. The integrity of delivering great value with integrity and client’s perception of being well served is what is a worthy goal. AND the work is mine to DO not just to KNOW. This falls in line with my personal life values so I’m happy to put this at the top of my list of business goals…
It was worth every penny. It was at the top of my affordability at this time in my fledgling business. And I did not have to get a hotel room or plane ticket, which kept me in the game.

I am so happy with the value of this course. I didn’t even know that all of THIS is exactly what I needed to know!“
-Cathy Lamb

 

“I recommend The Art of Good Business to anyone who has been trying to go it alone. I tried to figure out my business path on my own and found a patchwork of information. The Art of Good Business puts a plan out there to follow step by step. Also, because it is cohesive it puts all the information you need into one clear class. I have taken my binder with me everywhere I go to read and re-read the course. I find new depth in the material each time. It is wonderful that this course continues to grow with your business. The Art of Good Business is a guide book for my future.“

-Rebecca Raymond

Jessica Ormond shared in our private Facebook group:

“Hey everyone! I just have to say this course, Alison’s content works! If you are dragging your feet in applying the materials, just do it! Do whatever little piece you can fit in during wedding season…here’s my story …

I still have website tweaks to make but my ideal client is more clearly defined, I’ve mostly reworked my web copy, have been better about blogging, and more intentional about how I talk to my followers on social media posts.

…just booked as my biggest gig yet, by $3k….

They refused to give me a budget. Just said that they were willing to pay what was reasonable, flowers were a priority, and they knew they were going to be a big chunk so they intentionally saved in other places. It was sooo had to leave my money shoes in the closet and not make disclaimers when I sent the proposal.

In two hours she texted to say everything looked perfect… She signed the contact in 24hrs. And, she picked me over one of the more prestigious shops in town.”

Floralpreneurs told me that November, January and March are the best times to start my course so I’ve set up 3 new sessions so you can learn at your own pace.

REGISTER FOR 3 NEW SESSIONS:

0.1  DOORS OPEN NOW-NOV. 30

0.2  DOORS WILL OPEN JAN. 1-31

0.3  DOORS WILL OPEN MAR. 1-31


The Art of Good Business includes:

  • 6 pdfs (over 125 pages of lessons + 8 pages of worksheets) that you can download right to your computer; you can even print out the entire course if you’d like.
  • 10 videos with over 4 hours of content to supplement the pdfs.
  • Plus monthly livestreams in our private Facebook group to help move you through the course all year long! In our private group we can interact with one another (including other florists) and I can address your specific questions.


If you want to design a more engaging website, attract better clients and stop worrying about what “other florists” are doing, let’s dive into The Art Of Good Business.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW THRU NOV. 30TH!

(check out a FREE preview of the course here.)

Click HERE to join my course today!

Feel free to contact me with questions here: floralartvt@gmail.com

November 5, 2017 — 6:26 pm

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

The Results Are In: Real Florists Tell Me What They Think

Floralpreneurs were kind enough to share their feedback with me (thank you!) and in my last blog post I shared the #1 Thing florists told me they want to learn (you can read it here).  Today I want to share Thing 2; the #2 Thing Florists Need To Learn based on the survey results I received.

Thanks so much to all who took the time to share your thoughts with me! It really does help me to hear your input so that I can work to better tailor my course offerings and free content to meet your needs, struggles and wants. Everything I create is designed to help you better manage your successful and fulfilling small business.

Before I share “Thing #2” florists told me they need to learn, I want to let you in on more of the feedback florists gave me…


I asked: Do you feel confident that your brand is “as good as it can be”?

Real florists said:

“I’m not sure I really even have a brand…“

“I don’t think you can ever stop developing your brand. I need to improve in making my voice come through stronger. I struggle with the thought that I need to sound professional and businesslike while also be personable and show my voice without sounding like it is forced.”

“I am not good at “selling” myself.  I have a style that people can immediately identify as my work, however I haven’t been able to translate that at all via website. Of course I haven’t been good at taking photos of work—I’ve done tons of work with really nothing to show for it.”

I think every business owner can relate to these feelings….do I have a business or a brand?…what IS my voice?…I’m good at what I do, but I hate selling “me”.

Good brands are built, not born. It takes time and practice to develop a brand that goes “beyond just a business”.

 

The #2 Thing Florists Told Me They Want to Learn is “Website stuff”. Only 3% of respondents said they don’t update their own website! If “website stuff” is on your list of things to-do, then you will LOVE the Art of Good Business!


I asked: What made you think the course was NOT right for you…click below to watch!

It’s easy to understand that floralpreneurs expressed skepticism regarding the value of a $999 investment; on the other hand, some were not clear on what I was actually offering…and then, some were hoping they could buy just part of the course…But these are the stats that I found most interesting:

89% of florists told me hands down that the course was out of their budget…

However, only 1 florist said that she already works with her ideal clients, has an awesome website and a stellar client management process!

(And, by the way, I did have at least 2 men fill out my survey as well, so shout out to the guys, too!)


If only 1% of respondents is reaching her ideal clients and crushing it with her business, then it seems to me that florists really do need The Art Of Good Business and the results you can create for yourself once you take action and join my course here.


2 of most frequent answers as to why floralpreneurs did NOT sign up for The Art Of Good Business– #1. it was a busy time of year and #2, I was surprised to learn that most florists said they’d never taken an online course before.

I’d like to address ALL of your concerns regarding time, cost and “busyness” and invite you to 3 new sessions of The Art Of Good Business starting in November, January or March. And because people mentioned price as the #1 roadblock, I’m introducing a 4-payment plan.


Since we’re talking about price…

Think about the investment like this: what it would mean if you booked JUST 1 MORE IDEAL CLIENT after taking my course?……Would you make back your investment in 1 gig? Would it be worth it?

What if you booked 5 more ideal clients? Now, what if you consistently book more and more ideal clients every year from now on?…..what would that be worth?

Whether you missed the boat for the October session or you simply didn’t think it was worth the investment, think about where you are NOW….and consider where you want to be next year….2 years from now….5 years from now……What steps are you going to take to get there? How are you going to transform your business into a long lasting brand?

(I’ve spent almost $2k in online education in the past 3 months…at a time when I was “so busy” I knew I didn’t have time to fully absorb all the info, but I started anyway…and over the next few months I’ll be digging in.) I am not afraid to start before I’m ready….it’s the only reason I am where I am right now.


Being too busy or not having $999 in your budget can be a totally valid reason to not sign up for my course and I understand the feeling–it took a long time for me to decide it was worth the risk to try to figure out how to have a business that was branded and excellent; I had to take a leap and invest in myself if I wanted to move on to the next level with my biz.

I always felt like I had to do everything myself–for years–but I took my first leap on a conference in NYC with Marie Forleo & Danielle LaPorte called Selling Your Soul and I got so much value–so much inspiration–that I’ve been investing in my business education and development every year since.

Don’t wait until “the time is right”…..the time is NEVER right. There is always a holiday, or another project, or an upcoming “big ticket item” that we have to plan for….think about what it would mean if you booked JUST 1 MORE IDEAL CLIENT this my course…….would you make back your investment? Would it be worth it?


While most florists said that they had never taken an online course, of those who’ve taken online courses, over 6% of people had been disappointed in a previous online course they’d purchased.

I’m sorry to hear that and I’ve been there, too. When Flower Math first came out in November 2015 I purchased another pricing course to see how it compared and I was really disappointed in what I saw. Frankly, it was marketed to floral designers, but it wasn’t nearly specific enough and did not properly represent the industry standards on pricing & profits. It was heavily marketed to florists and I bet a lot of business owners bought it and didn’t get their proper value.

Bad courses happen. Your skepticism is warranted.

But if you’ve been burned before, don’t give up hope! I’ve invested in several online courses (admittedly not wedding or floristry related; they were highly vetted business courses) and each of them has majorly helped me to push my business to the next level.


Join the November session HERE.  Registration is open Nov. 1-30. Class begins Nov. 6th.

Doors Open for the next session Jan. 1-31.

As always, you can contact me with any questions you may have!

With love from me to you,

Alison


P.S.

When I asked you what you’re most interested in learning or improving, the hands-down response was “Pricing and profitability”. This doesn’t surprise me. My very first course is Flower Math, The Florist’s Guide To Pricing & Profitability, which I created because I know that there are really talented florists out there who still don’t have a firm grasp on how to price their work.

I know how important pricing and profits are to your small business. Since so many of you answered that this is what you’re most interested in learning or improving I’m introducing a 2-payment plan for Flower Math….you can start today if you’re ready.

November 2, 2017 — 1:46 am

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

Website Tips For Florists

Website Tips For Florists

I’ll be honest, when I started my business I had no clue how much time I’d spend working on my website.

Your website is one of your sharpest sales tools…

And it’s always a work in progress…

And it isn’t just about looking pretty.

Which comes first, a better website or better clients?

(Well, that’s not easy to answer, but a great website certainly can’t hurt!)

An excellent website is a must-have; this is not optional! Your website is your storefront and it represents your brand.

Your brand is how the world sees you….SO…what does your website say about your brand? (Not sure? Grab my free pdf HERE!)


When you scroll through your website, answer the following questions:

“Does your website…”

  • Lead your client 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 answer a resounding “yes” to all of the above, it’s time to build your website and your brand!

Grab my FREE pdf “Website Tips For Florists” with my 6 Quick Fixes plus 3 More Tips to take your website even further!

Get your free pdf here!


And if you’re finally ready to level-up and create an awesome website that attracts your ideal clients and helps you book better gigs, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE BOOTCAMP HERE!

You can do this work yourself with whatever website platform you already use!

It’s easy to get started.


 

Not sure if my course is right for you? I’m happy to answer any questions you may have before, during or after taking a course. You can easily reach me via e-mail right here: floralartvt@gmail.com

September 19, 2017 — 4:37 pm

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Welcome, Floralpreneur®.  I’m Alison Ellis, creator of Flower Math, published author, and founder of Real Flower Business. My online business courses and private coaching help floral designers increase profits, book great clients & build a better brand.  Learn More →

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