I still remember the first morning I opened the doors to my flower shop. I had no clue what was coming. I thought, “I love flowers, people love flowers — what could go wrong?” Well… a lot, actually. But also, a lot went right.

If you wonder how to open a flower shop, or just thinking of starting a florist business here’s everything what to know before opening a flower shop & what I wish someone told me back then.

Flower Shop is A Business, Not A Hobby

This might sound harsh, but it’s true. You can love flowers with all your heart, but running a flower shop is a business — and it comes with spreadsheets, invoices, pricing strategies, vendor issues, and sometimes learning about things like HVAC repair way too late.

Passion is important, but without a plan, it’s just a very expensive hobby.

You’ll Do Everything — Literally

In the beginning, I was the florist, the delivery driver, the social media person, the customer service rep, the accountant, and sometimes the plumber.

Owning a shop means doing what it takes — even if that means assembling 10 bouquets while on the phone confirming a funeral arrangement. It gets easier, but only after you build systems (and sleep).

Start Small: Open Your First Flower Shop on a Budget

At the beginning, any location can work — even the tiniest space. You don’t need a fancy storefront to get started. Before moving to our current location, we were working out of a very small shop with two florists, two managers, and me squeezed into one space. It was hard, a little chaotic, but still manageable.

The key is making sure people know there’s a new local florist nearby. Even if you're in a small or tucked-away spot, you have to put effort into letting your neighborhood know you’re there — signs, local listings, Google Maps, flyers, anything. Flowers are often an impulse buy. People don’t always plan ahead, so it helps when they can just walk by or quickly search and find you. You can always move to a bigger, better location later — once you’ve grown into it. That’s exactly what we did and 8 years later it grew up to a flower franchise.

You’ll Cry at Least Once on Valentine’s Day

No one prepares you for what major holidays are actually like in this industry. You’ll be proud, exhausted, and maybe a little bit broken.

One year, we got over 300 orders in 2 days — and I was running on iced coffee and nerves. You live, you learn, and you prep better the next year. (If you’re curious what those days look like, check out our Valentine's Day Collection.)

Flowers Don’t Wait for You

Fresh product is a blessing and a curse. You need just enough to meet demand, but not so much that you're throwing money in the trash.

Learning how to order flowers, rotate, and manage inventory took me months — and more than a few dead orchids.

People Don’t Just Show Up — You Have to Market

One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing how much work goes into just getting noticed. I used to think great flowers would naturally bring people in. They don’t — at least not at first. You have to constantly remind people that you exist.

We had to be everywhere: Google, Instagram, Yelp, Pinterest, Facebook, even local business directories we didn’t know existed until we searched for ourselves. Google and Yelp brought in the most serious buyers — people searching for florists right now. Instagram helped us build a vibe and connect emotionally with people, but it took time and consistency. Pinterest was slower, but occasionally brought big wedding inquiries.

We also tried paid ads — Google Ads was solid for same-day orders, Instagram ads were hit or miss, and Yelp ads were expensive but sometimes brought in big-ticket clients. The truth is, everything works... a little. You get recognition here and there, and it adds up. You just have to make sure you're listed everywhere, with good photos and real reviews. People can’t support you if they can’t find you.

Loyal Customers Keep Your Flower Shop Run

In the beginning, I was chasing every big name, every huge event, every fancy order. I thought landing one giant wedding or corporate client would change everything overnight. Sometimes it did — for a moment. But what really kept us going wasn't those one-time, high-stress jobs. It was the everyday people.

We tried it all to keep customers coming back — discounts, referral codes, loyalty programs, free notes, next-order coupons. Some worked, some didn’t. But nothing — and I mean nothing — works better than simply making every bouquet fresh, beautiful, and exactly what the customer hoped for. That’s what makes them remember you.

Over time, I started noticing the same names: people who order every week for their office, the ones who send “just because” bouquets to a friend, and the locals who stop by on their way home. They’re the ones who tag you online, tell their neighbors about you, and support you through slow seasons. They’re the real reason you stay in business — and the reason we’re still here.

Bonus: You Don’t Have to Start From Scratch

This is something I didn’t know when I started — and I wish I had.

Building everything from zero is hard. You’ll make mistakes, waste money, and spend time learning lessons the hard way. That’s why we created Pink Clover Franchise — so others can skip the guesswork and just buy into the systems, design, and support we built over the years.

Honestly, I wish I had some flower business advices like that when I was starting.

If you're interested in joining, fill out this quick form and we’ll be in touch with more info.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still reading this, you’re probably serious about opening a flower shop — and that’s amazing. It’s hard, emotional, sometimes chaotic, but also incredibly rewarding.

There’s something beautiful about building something real with your hands and your heart.

FAQ: How to Start a Flower Shop

1. Is it expensive to open a flower shop?
You can start small on a tight budget. A small, well-located space with smart marketing can be enough to get your first customers and build from there.

2. What’s the biggest challenge new florists face?
Many underestimate the workload—handling flowers, deliveries, marketing, customer service, and more. Building systems early is key to avoiding burnout.

3. Do I need marketing to get customers?
Yes. Beautiful flowers aren’t enough. You need to show up on Google, Yelp, Instagram, and local listings to get discovered and build trust.

4. Is it better to start from scratch or buy into a franchise?
Starting from scratch is tough and time-consuming. A franchise gives you proven systems, support, and branding, helping you skip years of trial and error.

And if you ever need help — or just someone to tell you your flower walls don’t have to be perfect — you know where to find me. Or press here to download free guide to starting a flower shop.