Getting into the Floral world
Frequently asked question-
How did you become a florist?
Baby Florist Kari 2021- Omni GPIEvery florist’s journey is unique, shaped by countless factors, location, opportunity, and a little bit of luck…
For me personally, my story literally starts with a wonderful lady named Luck. Luck hired me as her assistant with no floral experience. She graciously taught me so much about the industry! I had always loved flowers, but working on weddings at incredible venues like the Biltmore Estate and the Omni Grove Park Inn took that passion to a whole new level. Such amazing venues with extraordinary floral setups, it was a dream come true!
After a couple of years as an assistant, washing buckets and cleaning candle holders, I yearned for more knowledge. I worked with a few different florists gaining some skills before eventually becoming the floral manager at an all-inclusive wedding venue. This is where I had a lot of creative freedom and really found my own personal style. Another stroke of luck! It was the ideal scenario for me, farm fresh flowers grown on the land, and the wedding always so close by, never having to do a late night pickup, boy did I love it!
But unfortunately in September 2024, after Hurricane Helene turned my world upside down—destroying the venue I worked at, flooding my flower shop with five feet of water, and crushing my home with a fallen oak—I knew it was time for something new. Something for myself. I had finally gained the confidence to start my own business, but I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of my friends, family, and my fiancé, Beth. You’re the best, babe!
For me, it took years of hard work to wiggle my way into the industry, but I know for others, they just jumped right in! There are many florist out there willing to share and educate you, the biggest recommendation I have is Practice!! You can only get better and feel more confident the more you create. Offer to help a florist for free! The knowledge you gain will be worth more than payment. Some schools have local floral arranging classes or maybe your local florist offers one! There is no schooling for it where I am from but tons of florists do workshops around here, its great hands on experience.
There’s no “right” way to build a career in flowers. Take the chances you’re given, work hard, and trust that the seeds you plant, will one day bloom.
