Pros and cons of being a florist

We asked several of our local partner florists from different towns in Poland to share their thoughts on the advantages and challenges of working in a flower shop. Sometimes, what feels like a drawback to one person may be a benefit to another. That’s why instead of splitting this post into “pros and cons,” we’ve put together a kind of florist profile based on their insights. Check if this career path fits your skills, interests, and lifestyle.

1. Varied work
What does a day in a flower shop look like? Unlike office jobs, working in a flower shop is diverse: “You can’t get bored in a florist’s shop.” Creating arrangements, caring for plants, cleaning, changing water, and decorating shop displays are only part of the daily routine. Florists also ensure flowers stay fresh and attractive for customers.

Is it physical or mental work? Mostly physical, but not only. Designing bouquets alternates with customer service, shop administration, and business promotion. Duties may also include trips to the flower market, visiting suppliers, or delivering floral orders to clients. Admin work like issuing invoices or placing stock orders is also part of the job.

A florist is not just a flower specialist and creative artist, but also a salesperson and marketer. Every day is different, and the work is far from monotonous—especially around special occasions. Speaking of which…

2. The seasonal rush – living by the calendar
Unlike office jobs, working in a flower shop means adapting to a seasonal rhythm, moving from one occasion to the next. Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Women’s Day, Grandmother’s Day, and All Saints’ Day are periods of real hustle and bustle. This requires long hours and stress resilience.

Is working in a flower shop hard? Yes, particularly during these busy periods. Yet many florists say they actually thrive on this “chaos”:

“Before Valentine’s Day we start early and finish late. Yes, we’re exhausted, but the smiles of customers leaving with roses for their loved ones give us all the energy we need…”

The seasonality also means it’s difficult to take time off during these peak dates. Around major holidays, every helping hand is needed. If backup staff isn’t available, holiday leave may not be granted. With good planning much can be managed, but it’s worth considering whether your personal situation allows for such flexibility.

3. Early mornings – time for the flower market!
Not a morning person? Keep in mind that your duties may include trips to the flower market before the shop opens. But if you’re an early bird, this may actually be a highlight.

“The best coffee is the one I drink right before heading to the market.”

“I love going to the flower market. Even after years, I still feel like going to a candy store.”

4. Working with people
Do you enjoy working with people? Perfect. In a flower shop, listening to customers and adapting to their needs is essential. Only by listening can you advise the right bouquet or arrangement for their occasion. At times, you may face an indecisive or dissatisfied client, which requires problem-solving skills. More often, though, you’ll be met with smiles, positive emotions, and the joy of regular customers coming back for a friendly chat.

5. Sales and promotion
In a flower shop, customer service and sales skills are essential. If you’re the owner, you also have to be something of a marketer. You need to know your market, understand what customers want, set the right prices for your services, and find the best channels to reach them.

If, however, you prefer working with flowers over sitting at a computer, all marketing tasks can be outsourced to professionals. From building a florist’s website, running ads and social media, to acquiring new clients – if this part of the business feels like a burden, delegate it to freelancers or a good agency.

A great way to secure new clients is to cooperate with the Euroflorist online network, which takes care of online marketing and provides local florists with orders not only from Poland but from all over the world.

6. Knowledge of flowers and trends
Of course, a passion for flowers is essential for floristry, along with an interest in floral trends. Floral design is constantly evolving, which means you need to stay curious and always be learning. This could mean following trends, reading floral magazines, keeping up with social media accounts, or visiting fairs and floral shows.

It’s also about technical knowledge of plants, products, and techniques, as well as advising customers on the right care and storage of bouquets or plants so they last as long as possible.

7. Manual skills and aesthetic sense
What sets a good florist apart is an artistic eye, a sense of style, imagination, the ability to combine colours, and knowledge of composition rules – plus solid manual skills. Florists are often creative individuals who love experimenting and can design unique arrangements suited to any occasion or interior.

How to become a florist?
Now that you know what working in a flower shop looks like, the next question is: how do you become a florist? To gain a floristry qualification, you can complete a floristry course or attend a specialist school. You might also start by working in a flower shop as a delivery person or part-time assistant while training. Remember – regardless of your age or current profession, it’s never too late to change your career path.

“Dreams don’t just come true – you make them happen.”

Working in a flower shop can be challenging and demanding, but also rewarding, creative, and varied – offering plenty of opportunities for growth and for connecting with people. We especially recommend it to creative individuals with manual skills who enjoy building relationships.

The job of a florist isn’t always easy, but for flower enthusiasts, it can be an incredibly fulfilling profession. If flowers are your passion, we encourage you to discover the joy of this beautiful trade and begin your career as a florist.