Starting out in Business

Tutors - Ian Lloyd, Amanda Canning

On this 6-day course you will be taught by some of the floristry industry most famous names, experienced retail florists who demonstrate and lecture around the UK.

The course consists of 5 days of practical floristry and 1 day of business studies. This will give you a thorough introduction to the floristry industry.

Ian will demonstrate 6 items of floristry each day and you will make 3 pieces following a step-by-step method to ensure you develop the necessary skills. You will have plenty of time to make notes or take photos of each step as a lasting record of the methods used. At the end of the 6 days you will have created 15 Items of floristry for you to take home.

Some of the most important skills involve how to use floral foam correctly. You will make a selection of arrangements in baskets and container in both traditional and modern styles.

You will learn how to make handtied bouquets, how get a perfect spiral and how to balance your bouquet ensuring that it will stand up. You will also be shown different ways to gift-wrap the design to enhance the colour and selling potential.

You will be shown a range of formal and informal funeral designs. Formal designs use the skills of ribbon pleating, massing or basing items and finishing them with a cluster. Informal designs include funeral sprays in foam and sheaves. The essential skills of taking a funeral order are also included.

We will also show you how to make a selection of stunning table design for parties, wedding, and celebrations of all types.

You will also be shown how to construct a variety of different buttonholes and corsages using wire and tape techniques. This day also includes the creation of wired and handtied bridal bouquets.

All the designs shown are created to a commercial standard, with full detailed costing, using the freshest flowers as sold in our shop from the best flowers available. Flowers used range from the traditional Carnations, Lilies, Chrysanthemums and Roses to the exotic flowers such as Anthuriums, Orchids and Gingers.

We also explain how to use colour to create stunning designs, using the colour wheel and various colour harmonies to show how to produce exciting and different designs.

On the business day Amanda will give you an in depth insight into the very important side of running a retail floristry business. This will give you an overview of marketing, pricing for profit, legislation, discounts, shop display and layout.

Floristry businesses have all the responsibilities of any retail shop with the added pressure that your fresh stock dies as soon after buy it. We will give you the basic skills to help you succeed in business in one of the most enjoyable and rewarding jobs.

Level: Beginners