If you are thinking of buying a Flower Shop, DON’T! Unless you are already a successful person with business experience and management skills, AND plenty of money, think twice about buying a Florist! If you do have the above qualities you should buy an existing Florist and not start from scratch! Why? Because an existing Florist with good income, and hopefully a good staff, is ready to go and you can make improvements over time, PLUS, you already have a revenue stream coming in!

After my 30 years in the Floral Industry I can’t tell you how many times I have heard stories of people starting or buying a Florist with little to know business experience, no knowledge of the Flower Biz, and not enough capital to keep the business going! Why did these people start or buy a Florist? Because they thought it would be fun And they could make some Easy money! Let me tell you, working in a Florist can be fun, But many times it is HARD WORK!; and for the amount of work you have to put in the profits aren’t enough!

Another thing that hurt the Flower Biz is the Grocery Stores upgrading their Floral Departments, this was a GAME CHANGER for the Floral Industry! I remember when the grocery stores had their plants at the back of the store, there weren’t really any flowers just plants, terrariums, etc. Now, the Flower Department is right at the Front of the store where everyone that enter notices it. And let’s face it, it is So easy for customers to pick up their groceries and flowers at the same time, it’s only one stop instead of two! But the Florist isn’t dead yet! Why? Because a quality florist offers extensive floral knowledge and better floral designs then the employees of the grocery store floral department…I’ve seen this first hand, over and over!

Lastly, the Floral Industry has changed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t run a successful Florist! Like I previously mentioned, if you want to start a flower shop I would buy an existing one; One that has a track record of making money (and have your accountant examine the books carefully), one that has a good, talented staff, and one that has a good visible location! Starting a Florist from scratch is Too Risky!, unless you have Endless money and can take your time building the business. Thanks for reading!

Mike Folino

Beverlyhillsflowers.com