WAHM > Stay at Home Mom Work Ideas > Traditional Product > Start a Flower Business from Home

Start a Flower Business

What you will be doing.  Flowers are widely given on holidays, birthdays, as condolences, and “just because”.  There is a need for flowers of all kinds:  fresh cut, silk, and dried.  Flower arranging has been raised to the level of art because the presentation is ninety percent of the gift. 

A business selling flowers does not have to be located in a rented out space.  It can be managed from the comfort of your own home.  Depending on the types of flowers you plan to sell, the business can even be expanded to the Internet. 

Beautiful arrangements can be made in your garage and shipped to homes and businesses worldwide.  A silk arrangement or dried flowers are easier to ship than real flowers because they are not alive and do not need special shipping requirements.  If you have a green thumb, your home based business can give the local competition a run for their money when it comes to fresh cut arrangements. 

How to start.  What kind of flowers will you sell?  Silk flowers can be purchased from a wholesaler.  Investigate the local market.  Are there many shops that offer dried arrangements?  This could be your niche market.  Drying does take time, but, as a home based business with no significant overhead, you can dabble in silk arrangements for individuals and businesses or fresh arrangements. 

Starting costs.  If you have a fresh flower garden, then all of the supplies needed to care for it have already been purchased more or less.  You will need to order vases of various sizes and colors for the arrangements.  Purchasing them from the dollar store keeps the cost down. 

For dried flower arranging, a drying rack, florist tape, wire, and rope aid in the drying process.  Drying takes several weeks, so starting the process with several flowers will save time and supplies.  The initial outlay for supplies will be in the range of $200-$300.  Advertising will raise the price another $200 at least. 

Skills needed.  An artistic flare goes well with this sort of business.  Also, organization and attention to detail are important.  You will offer many different products, but there will always be customers that have their own design in mind.  A keen imagination will keep this type of customer coming back time and time again. 

Local customers may need their arrangements on short notice. If you advertise that you can do this, make sure that you keep to a schedule so that you don’t miss any deadlines.  This kind of customer service shows that you care about each client. 

Marketing.  Getting the business noticed will determine success or failure.  Online, you can advertise on home business websites, join blogrolls, and start your own website.  Use full color pictures of your products so customers can clearly see what they will be getting.   

Farmer’s markets are a great place to advertise your fresh and dried flower arrangements.  Create a color catalogue of your flower line along with some sample arrangements on a display table.  Color catalogues are more expensive but they will pay for themselves. 

Flowers offer several options for the small business owner.  Once you are established, offer classes in flower arranging, drying, and pressing if you know how.  Expanding into weddings and receptions can mean big profits.

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