My journey into floristry!
flo·rist
/ˈflôrəst/
noun
noun: florist; plural noun: florists
a person who sells and arranges plants and cut flowers.
Welcome back! Today I’ll be talking about how I got started in the world of floristry, and where it has led me today. If you read some of the fun facts about me in my first blog post, you’ll have seen that I graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2019 with a degree in English. So how did a girl well on her way to becoming a teacher become a florist instead? It all started in 2018 when I was finishing up my degree and working for a local retail shop. The shop I worked for shared the building with a florist, so while I worked I got to see what was going on next door and what being a floral designer was like. I even got to learn some tips and tricks of the trade here and there! As I finished my degree I was faced with the dilemma of either enrolling in teachers college, or taking some time off from school. I was coming to the realization that being a teacher might not be the job for me, and that I loved working for a small business. While talking to the florist next door about not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, I was offered a job! I’ve had an interest in flowers and plants for as long as I could remember, and from what I’d seen so far it looked like I would enjoy it, so I said why not! Since then I’ve went on to work for a couple different flower shops. I’m still thankful for my years in university, I definitely learned a lot and gained a lot of life experience. But now I’m so glad I didn’t stick with my original plan!
What’s so special about being a florist anyway? I may be biased, but I think it is the best job in the world. It takes patience, dedication, passion, and most importantly creativity to become a floral designer. Not to mention a good memory to remember the names of SO many different flowers and plants! Contrary to what many people think, we don’t just “play with flowers” all day. Every arrangement is thoughtfully put together with different colours, textures and greenery. It truly is an art form. It does have its many challenges just like any other job, but for the most part it is so rewarding. Seeing the smile on someone’s face as I create what they were envisioning. Delivering “just because” flowers to someone having a bad day. Helping someone pick out their new favourite plant. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers all year round. I realized pretty quickly that this is my passion in life!
Becoming a florist has also helped me get more in tune with nature. As the seasons change, the flowers and type of work we do changes too. From a classic red rose and babies breath bouquet for Valentines Day, to an endless amount of plant re-potting in the summer, to a forest-inspired pine and cedar centrepiece for Christmas. Every day is different. At every shop I’ve worked I’ve been the dedicated flower processing, tropical plant arranging, “everyday bouquet” girl! If you’ve never spent a morning processing fresh flowers before, I recommend trying it. It’s therapeutic. I carry my love of creating arrangements for everyday occasions like birthdays and anniversaries into my own business. I’m also here if a sympathy arrangement is needed, or flowers “just because”!
I promised myself I would be as transparent as possible with this blog, and sometimes that means talking about the negatives too. I’ve learned from both my own personal experience and in talking to other florists that some (not all!) flower shops can be a beautiful but very difficult place to work. Who you work with, or work for, can really make or break your future at a flower shop. This is your friendly reminder to never put up with toxic behaviour in a workplace, and know your worth as a skilled artisan! At one point I almost gave up my florist dreams completely. I’m so glad I didn’t because since then I have met so many amazing florist friends and flower farmers that have encouraged me to keep doing what I love. I found a shop that has shown me the true meaning of an amazing team (shoutout to Acanthus Floral & Botanical, you guys rock) and has reminded me that being a florist is seriously the best.
Overall my journey into floristry has been one with its fair share of ups and downs, but it has been so worth it to look back and see how far I’ve come. Here’s to a lifetime of “playing with flowers”🌸🌻🌷🌼💐