I get asked this question a lot - what skills do I need to become a floral designer? And I decided to address it in today's blog. I am sure you will find these skills to be the most helpful if applied correctly to your flower business.
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, digging into our decision to move to Australia. (We moved from Canada in 2008.)
When people ask me this question, I usually respond with “Because I could.”
But the truth actually sits a bit deeper. When I deconstruct the way we made the decision, I recognise there is some method to the mad.
The real answer? I allow myself to go to the worst-case scenario. What is the downside of making this decision?
I’m beginning to recognise this approach is quite different from many other humans.
So many business owners I work with, inside my Flower Boss Bootcamp are so afraid to make decisions. Afraid to commit to one niche. Scared of committing to one design aesthetic. Afraid to make decisions.
Let’s dig into it a bit more.
Decision Making Is A Skill
What skills do I need to be a floral designer? When you go to traditional design school, you’ll be taught some colour theory, a bit about the elements and principles of decision, and dive deep into flower care.
Of course, then you get out into the big bad world. And you make the decision to start a business and then you’re paralysed. You get stuck in a cycle of indecision.
I’ve worked with so many florists in exactly this same scenario. It’s a totally normal human behaviour. Because we’re never taught how to make decisions.
Once you learn decision-making is just a skill to be learned, you can start to practice and focus on building the muscle of decision-making.
You are forced to make decisions all the time as a business owner. What are you going to name your business? What website platform will you host your site on? How many times are you going to post to Instagram?
Are you going to focus on sourcing ingredients locally? Are you going to jump into daily deliveries? Just do weddings?
What will you offer for Mother’s Day? What do you want your biggest price point to be for Valentine’s Day?
I’m exhausted just thinking about all the decisions we make in our business. Everyday.
99% of our energy goes into making decisions. It’s a major part of our responsibilities as business owners.
Imperfect Information
When you make the decision to start a flower business, it requires you to step up. To step into a bigger, bolder CEO identity.
And as the CEO of your flower business, you will be required to make decisions every day. Quite a lot of decisions.
What is also true, is that most of those decisions need to be made without perfect information. We cannot predict the future.
But this presents us with the perfect opportunity. It gives you lots of space to build your skill as an amazing decision-maker.
Which is such a gift because becoming a great decision-maker is one of the must-have skills needed to be a floral designer.
Four Tips To Help You Become A Better Decision-Maker
- Get clear on what matters to you most. This way, you can evaluate the options against your personal priorities.
- Detach your self-worth from the outcome. Because you are a whole, complete, 100% worthy person no matter what the outcome.
- Allow your brain to go to the worst-case scenario. Yep. Entertain the idea of the worst-case scenario and make a plan. I find this helps so much!
- There is no such thing as a right or wrong decision. Literally. You learn by doing and evaluating the outcome. Then you make the next decision.
Even better, I’ve created an entire podcast episode to help you dig even deeper into this subject. It’s so helpful! You can listen to it on Spotify or on the player below.
Need Help?
I know building a business can feel super overwhelming. I’ve been there. I’m here to help.
Check out my Flower Boss Bootcamp. I created this one-of-a-kind program specifically to help floral designers, just like you, master the business of flowers. I’d love to see you there!
💖
Kathleen
