Flowers

Income   $40,000  –  $100,000

The range of income for the first year will depend upon how much you market your services and when you begin your business. If you start during the early planting season, you won’t have to wait an extra year to begin harvesting. You’ll want to research or speak to florists and gardening suppliers in your area. Most often they are buying through a third party.

Description

There are several types of nurseries. There are dried flowers, bulbs and flowers for fresh cut arrangements. Depending on which you choose, the length of harvest will vary. You should plan your flower business around having a variety of complimentary flowers that vary in length in growing times.

 

Clients

Your clients will consist of florists, gift basket companies, large restaurants, hospitals bankers, commercial property managers, real estate and mortgage companies.

Marketing Plan

Most florists take the retail approach so their location is vital to this market. However, if you provide the flowers to service industries that include a flower delivery services, you wouldn’t have to put up with the long demanding hours that a retail location demand.

Your marketing plan should include attending weekly Realtor meetings. Realtors, Title Companies, Bankers, Mortgage Companies, Financial Planners and most types of professional offices like to send thank you gifts to their clients. Approach firms with your personal service concept. Personally deliver flower arrangements working from a less expensive location, such as your garage or a warehouse.

Power Partners

Your Power Partners will consist of Realtors, Bankers, Title, Mortgage Companies, Landscapers, and Gardeners.

The conversations with these Power Partners should include your willingness to include them in your referrals as you become aware of clients who need their services. It is important you meet with these Power Partners in person the first time, and keep in touch with them weekly by email or by a phone.

Requirements

If you haven’t had any experience in the flower industry, offer to work for a company at below market wages in order to gain the experience. You should attempt to find a company located far enough away from where you intend to operate your business, that they won’t feel threatened by your becoming their competition. You will need to have a contractor’s license, sanders, saws and a variety of tools. You will also need reliable transportation.

Resources:

Here are a number of resources, which I have come across: http://www.bootstraps.com/

http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/ornamentals/ind-snapshot.htm

http://apps.caes.uga.edu/resourcelinks/display.cfm?c=Commercial%20Ornamental%20Crops

http://horttips.ifas.ufl.edu/nurseries/

Personality Type: Expressive, Amiable

Total Start Up Costs:            Less than $2500

(includes the flowers, business cards, tools, a phone and advertising)