Real Flower Business

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By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

Floralpreneur® Workshop for Florists and Farmers

Have you ever taught a floral design workshop?

In April, I hosted my first live workshop for floral designers and farmer florists along with my friends, Françoise Weeks and Phebe Robinson Higgins, and I have to tell you it was a fantastic collaboration of creativity and business minds! From business strategies to botanical jewelry and foam free floral design techniques, attendees walked away ready to implement new tips and techniques to propel their businesses forward.

It was an excellent floral design workshop! See what florists said at the bottom of this post! In fact, it was so much fun that we’re already planning the next one for April 2024! Get on the notification list!

I never hosted a workshop before, but when Françoise Weeks asked me if I’d like to teach a workshop with her my immediate reply was, “Yes!…I know the perfect venue, and I know who should invite to teach with us!”

Within a few days, we had our teaching team in place and the BEST venue to host the first Floralpreneur® Workshop at The Round Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont.

Isora Lithgow Creations helped document Day 2 and she captured this beautiful group of flower loving humans so perfectly it is an honor to get to share them with you.

Here’s a recap from the Floralpreneur® Workshop:

Alison Ellis of Real Flower Business (that’s me!), Phebe Robinson-Higgins of Popped with Phebe, and world renowned designer, Françoise Weeks, taught a 2-Day Hands-On Workshop for Floral Designers and Farmer-Florists on Foam Free Woodland Designs, Pricing and Booking Strategies, and How To Run A Successful Pop-Up Shop.

Floral designers joined us from Canada, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, & Virginia and we had such a wonderful time. I can’t say enough about the floral designers who decided to join us–they were a beautiful bunch of humans. (You can see a group shot at the end of this post!)

Françoise taught foam free woodland designs as well as botanical jewelry. My favorite thing about doing a workshop with Françoise is that no two designs are alike. Every student’s work is unique! You can see some of the beautiful wearables that Robin of Wild Thing Flower Farm created (as well as her lovely smiling face!) below.

Phebe shared her insights on running a successful Pop-Up Shop and how to parlay that into a larger marketing opportunity. She shared so many nuggets of wisdom and even set up a sample display featuring roses courtesy of Rosaprima Roses so florists could walk through the entire customer experience.

As a business coach, my focus is always on profitability and practical business strategies, and I took this opportunity to teach Flower Math Formulas and 5 Steps To Book A Wedding to show exactly how I lead customers through a sale. It was so much fun to teach live and get to answer all the questions in real time!

There was so much to love as I flipped through these photos and remembered our time together and all of these smiles are at the top of my list! Talking business really can be a good time!

Everyone gathered around to see some of the tech Phebe uses to send out quotes. She did not hold back on the tips! Next year, Phebe will share even more marketing ideas and techy touches florists can use in their business.

Isora got a group photo before the end of the day–I told you we were a beautiful bunch! It was such a great time, we’re doing it again next year! Details will be coming very soon! Click here to get on the notification list.

Special thanks again to Isora Lithgow Creations, Nick from 802 Events, Sheryl of Thistle and Bone Floral for all the invaluable help, Walt at Mountain Flower Farm for the pussy willow branches, Rosaprima Roses and our incredible venue, The Round Barn.

This was an experience I will never forget. I’ll have to do a part 2 post with more images of the students’ work…so stay tuned.

xo. -Alison Ellis

What did florists say about the workshop?…

“This workshop breathed life into my business practices, creativity, and proposals. The instructors were motivating, generous, and organized. A total success!”

“Amazing instructors, Alison created an unforgettable experience!”

“…wonderful food, venue, detailed planning involved and learned far more than what I thought I would!”

“I loved how welcoming every student and educator was, how everyone was not only willing but eager to share with each other and how very supportive the environment was. I was slightly intimidated signing up (because compared to the others I am very new to the field) but from my initial call with Alison through to the final dinner, I felt included and supported but all (sounds like a Hallmark card) but honestly it was a great experience.”

“Rejuvenating energy and creativity!”

“Everything is taken care of! You just have to show up and everything is provided. It was nice not to have to think about what we were doing next, eating, etc. It was just all there.”

May 9, 2023 — 3:22 am

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

Françoise Weeks and Alison Ellis on Resilience and Innovation in Floristry

How Do You Push Through Fear To Take Your Business To The Next Level?

I invited my friend, Françoise Weeks, to join me for a livestream back in 2020 to talk about how she learned to become such a confident, world-renowned floral educator–despite being an introvert–and how she continues to innovate in new create ways as a designer.

She talked about the very first speaking gig she ever got, why she shares her techniques so freely and her approach to teaching floral designers to use natural materials in unique and different ways.

I’ve been looking high and low for this replay and I finally located it today–right on my Facebook page where I left it! I want to truly thank Françoise for making the time for this conversation and for continuing to inspire me!

I hope you’ll take some time to tune in to listen to her inspiring story!

And if you want to see Françoise teach LIVE and in person along with me, we’re teaching a live workshop on April 17-18th, along with the Queen of Pop-Up Shops, Popped with Phebe, so if you’re a floral designer or flower-farmer who wants to level-up your creativity and your career, why don’t you join us today!

Get Workshop Details

Doors are closing soon–we need a headcount ASAP so consider this your last call for enrollment–there are only a few rooms left at the Inn last time I checked.

xo. -Alison Ellis

Want to know more about the Workshop in April?

I’ll be teaching alongside Françoise Weeks & Phebe Robinson-Higgins for 2 Days of Hands-On Training, April 17 & 18th at The Inn at The Round Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont.

We’ll cover topics including: 

  • Foam Free Woodland Techniques & Floral Jewelry with Françoise Weeks 
  • How To Sell A Wedding More Quickly & Price For Profit with Alison Ellis
  • Everything You Need To Run A Successful Pop-Up Shop with Pop-Up Expert, Popped With Phebe

 

These are resources that will level-up your floral design creativity & career!

Would you like to join us? The time to sign up is now!

(There Are Only 3 Rooms Left At The Inn.)

You can sign up today for the workshop and get the details on how to book your stay here: https://learn.realflowerbusiness.com/april-workshop

March 30, 2023 — 8:08 pm

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

Workshop for Florists in Vermont

Announcing A Spring Workshop for Floral Designers and Farmer-Florists!

Join us for 2 Days of Hands-On Training with Françoise Weeks, Phebe Robinson-Higgins & Alison Ellis, April 17 & 18th at The Round Barn, Waitsfield, Vermont.

Including Foam Free Woodland Techniques, Business Coaching On How To Sell A Wedding & Price For Profit, and Everything You Need To Run A Successful Pop-Up Shop in time for Mother’s Day!

Get the resources you need to level-up your passion & career. 

Limited to 20 Seats. Doors Are Open Now! Click Here For Details!

Pack your tools, bring your refillable water bottle, and we’ll make sure you have everything you need once you’re on site!–from flowers to supplies to meals and snacks and bottomless pots of coffee (or tea)!

All Meals Included for Welcome Reception on Sunday and 2 Full Days of Hands-On Training on Monday and Tuesday.


If you’re a floral designer or farmer-florist and you want to expand your offerings to include more sustainable design techniques, or create profitable pop-up shop in your community, or book more profitable weddings & events, this workshop is for you! 

You’ll walk away with inspiration to design with new perspective, know-how to price for profit and close wedding sales, and skills to Pop-Up so you can sell your flowers– even without your own storefront!

Get Your Seat Now!


TWO DAYS WITH FRANÇOISE, PHEBE & ALISON:

  • Sustainable Woodland Designs with Françoise Weeks
  • Successful Pop-Up Shops with Phebe Robinson-Higgins
  • How To Price For Profit & Book Weddings with Alison Ellis

 

Sustainable. Successful. Profitable. Ready to join us?

Elevate your creativity and level-up your business strategy!

Click Here for Pricing, Daily Schedule and FAQs!

We’d love to see you here in Vermont in April! Reach out with questions for me anytime. info{at}realflowerbusiness.com

xo. -Alison Ellis

 

January 12, 2023 — 1:16 am

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

What Do Florists Bring To a Wedding?

How do florists set up a wedding?

When I was first starting my home-studio floral business almost 20 years ago, I often felt like I was pulling a rabbit out of my hat on the day-of a wedding. I was passionate about weddings and flowers and running my own business, but I was still “new enough” that I was making a lot of it up as I went along. Sometimes, I didn’t know if I’d even finish setting up on time. Luckily I always did, but the pressure is real when you’re a wedding pro because there are no do-overs (and we are expected to make magic)!

As I gained experience, I developed systems to streamline my wedding-day set-up, as well as my entire week-of-the-wedding prep, and I know that whether you’ve been a wedding florist for 1 year or 20 years, you’re always learning something new! For example, over the last several years I’ve been working to cut out floral foam in my weddings and that’s changed my day-of and week-of prep!

FYI I’ll be sharing my recent #foamfree wedding mechanics and week-of tips inside my Patreon Creator Page this month. Patreon members get access to my best tips for booking weddings and you can ask me anything so if you have questions, I’ll answer them here! I’ll be taking members inside my week-of prep for an $11,000 wedding including the foam free mechanics I used (and then reused the next weekend, too!). Click here to access my Patreon page!


Today, I want to share this behind-the-scenes look at my “bag of tricks” so you can see what I bring with me to every wedding day set-up. It’s so important to have the right tools for the job–click to see what’s in my bag!

Remember: I’m continuing to answer the question: “how do you actually do a wedding” for the florists on my Patreon Creator Page, and you’re invited to join me there! Access starts at just $3 and you’ll unlock a ton of tips and lessons on how to book better clients, build a strong brand, and design beautiful weddings! Click to join me.

Patreon is a place where artists and teachers create content for their Patrons. There is no obligation–you can cancel your subscription any time. Hop in to grab the tips you need, hop out any time.

Do you have questions for me? I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. You can learn more about me here.

xo. -Alison


Additional Resources for Florists:

  • Find more tips on Wedding Day Prep HERE.

August 8, 2021 — 7:17 pm

By Alison Ellis Leave a Comment

Successful Floral Business Tips

How do you define success in your business?

This is not a trick question! And there isn’t one correct answer, but it can still feel tricky to answer for yourself!

Every florist must determine their own version of success, but what does that really mean in your business? Let’s talk about it!

Click to watch a replay of this livestream from my Facebook group that I hope will help you define your own version of success!

FYI you’ll find the infographic I mention in this video below! And you can click HERE to read the full post on Running A Successful Floral Business!



Looking for More?

  • Grab my Business Plan Jumpstart HERE for just $20.
  • Join me on Patreon HERE for as little as $3.
  • Learn more about Alison HERE.

July 11, 2021 — 11:35 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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FOR WEDDING FLORISTS:

Read my book: Falling Into Flowers

Templates for Florists

Flower Math Formulas

3 Keys To Booking Great Clients

FREE RESOURCES:

Free ebook: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

5 Actions To Take When Biz Is Uncertain

10 Things I Did To Grow My Biz

AS SEEN ON:

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*From The Ground Up Floral-podcast

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