Are you curious about a day in the life of florists in Singapore? If you know someone who is a florist or would like to be a florist Singapore, you may want to know the daily tasks required for this job.
Florists Defined
A florist, flower arranger, floral artist, or floral designer is a person who makes an aesthetically-pleasing flower arrangement using a variety of plant elements and decorative materials. The flower arrangement can be used for special occasions such as weddings and Valentine’s Day or as decoration in hotels, homes, and other establishments.
Traditionally, a florist is an independent owner of a flower shop in Singapore. Today, florists are employed by large companies providing express flower delivery and online florist support.
What They Do
Basically, a florist’s job is to design and create floral arrangements in the form of a hand bouquet, centerpiece flowers, bridal bouquet, birthday flowers arrangement, funeral wreaths, or terrariums. Florists may be in charge of design the floral concept of venues ranging from churches and event halls to spacious outdoor areas.
As a florist, you will need knowhow on pre-formatted layouts and tried and tested patterns. At times, customers and or your bosses will require unique floral arrangements from you. Original creations can be charged more than pre-made arrangements. You may work on a fixed salary or gain a commission for creating new designs.
Florists are not constrained to local flower shops and online florist delivery services. They can also submit their designs in competitions and art displays. Florists who participate in these events often improve their business overall.
Florists are not just responsible for arranging flowers. They are also to provide proper nourishment and maintenance for all the flowers they have in-store whether on display or in storage. They have to regularly trim, cut, replenish water, flower food, maintain foliage, and other plants used for fillers.
You don’t have to be a botanist to be a florist but you will have to study the different methods of plant care. It is wise to note that different species of flowers, foliage, ornamental grass, and indoor plants require different types of care and handling. If your passion is in plant care, you may grow your own flowers and sell to other businesses.
The Florists’ Workplace
In Singapore, florists can work as part of an internet-based company or run a local store. The flower shop will have a large display area that the florist will decorate. The window displays will need a variety of concepts to attract customers to keep coming back.
Florists also have an office space where they handle financial reports, order forms to suppliers, and keeping up with deliveries. They also have a private area where they can work on creating floral arrangements. Florists also need to learn how to maintain flowers in storage, mostly in coolers to preserve their freshness.
Daily Duties of a Florist
- Create flower arrangements for clients to choose from.
- Create floral arrangements suitable for different personalities and occasions, from cheery birthday flowers and romantic bouquets to gloomy funeral arrangements.
- Help clients select a floral arrangement for the recipients they choose.
- Sell hamper delivery, a floral subscription, or pre-mixed bouquets to customers.
- Take clients’ orders including the arrangement they prefer, pricing, contact details, delivery date, delivery time, and other client specifications.
- Be open to create new floral designs and arrangements.
- Plan the floral concept and supervise decoration of venues for large events.
- Maintain flowers and all plants in the form of bouquets, displays, and flowers in the coolers.
- Regularly check flowers for freshness.
- Trim flowers and remove wilting leaves and petals to maintain freshness.
- Keep track of inventory and estimate when to replenish stocks including flowers, foliage, ornamental leaves, ribbons, boxes, and decorative cellophane.
- Ordering flowers and supplies from wholesalers.
- Learn where to purchase cheap yet fresh flowers and other supplies.
- Maintain plants under appropriate conditions. In Singapore, many florists get their supply from other countries, it is crucial to learn the proper care and handling of imported flowers.
- Handling the finances: from pricing and receiving payment to keeping accounting records and creating financial reports.
- Be responsible for on-time and correct delivery of all orders. For online orders, you may need to send the client a photo of the arrangement before delivery. If you offer same day delivery, be sure to meet the expectations of your clients.
- Work with ideal logistic companies or hire delivery men.
- Ensure fair pricing during peak periods especially Valentine’s Day.
- Training decorators and other florists.
- Educating customers on proper handling and maintenance of flowers.
- Communicating with bosses and reporting via email or in person.
- Growing your own flower farm for cheaper and fresher stems.
- Decorating, cleaning, and organizing the flower shop.
- Handling customer complaints, order tracking, and general customer service.
- Marketing new arrangements and methods of delivery.
Wrap Up
On top of taking phone calls, helping customers choose the correct floral arrangements, and ensuring punctual flower delivery, florists also need to learn negotiating skills, selling techniques, and customer service. Florists should be service-oriented and organized. They need to know where to order cheap flowers and supplies, maintain orders as they come, spark their creativity to make new arrangements, and work long hours to maintain financial records and tidy up the shop. It’s all in a day’s work and florists make it happen.
