What People Don't See
One of the biggest misconceptions about owning a flower shop is that it's all rainbows and unicorns. You're surrounded by flowers all day, so people assume it must be a magical, peaceful, beautiful job. And yes, there is beauty. But there's also a lot people don't see.
The Not-So-Pretty Side
There are stinky buckets, dirty water, and gross fingernails. There are bugs and spiders crawling out of boxes, cut fingers, paper cuts, and bruises in weird places. You're processing and cleaning constantly, and buckets have to be washed over and over, because if they aren't cleaned properly, your flowers die faster. Flowers themselves aren't always pretty either. They arrive damaged, and they can die within hours, sometimes for no reason at all. Then there are the moments when a customer doesn't take care of their flowers and still comes back blaming us. That's always fun.
People also don't realize how little of this job is actually making something pretty. Maybe 10-20% of my time is design. Out of a full day, it might be a few hours, and out of a full week, even less. The rest is running a business: payroll, taxes, planning, inventory, ordering, emails, employee training, scheduling, and problem solving. Even processing flowers is a whole process people don't see. Every stem has to be cleaned, cut, checked, and hydrated properly. You're touching thousands of stems, especially during busy weeks, and then you do it all again the next day.
The Rhythm of It
A typical week looks different depending on the season. Mondays are usually my longest days: an early start at the market, processing, designing, deliveries, setting up other locations, and ending the night with emails and planning. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are quieter but still full, with orders, overseeing the other stores, and constant communication. Thursdays are another big shipment day as we prep for the weekend, and Fridays and weekends are about maintaining, cleaning, resetting, and getting ready for the next cycle.
And then there are the holidays. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are a completely different level. Prep starts weeks in advance, building collections, ordering flowers, and planning logistics across multiple locations. Then the week of, it's nonstop. Thousands of stems arrive, and every single one gets checked, processed, and touched. We spend days designing, usually by color, and then we reset, clean, and open for the rush. Afterward, everyone needs time to recover. It's the kind of intense people don't really see from the outside.
Learning to Lead
When I first started, nothing surprised me too much from a business standpoint, because I've always had a business mindset. Managing people was different. Payroll, schedules, fairness, and contracts are a whole world on their own. Learning how to lead different personalities, support your team, and still hold a standard is something you really grow into. Being a good boss is one of the biggest skills of this job, and it means being understanding and patient while still making decisions that affect everyone.
Money management is another. Some days your account looks full, and the next it's almost empty because payroll, rent, taxes, and inventory are all moving at once. And customer service is its own skill: learning to meet people where they're at and provide a high level of service without overdoing it. I've always felt like I live in both worlds, creative and logical. I can create something abstract and free, then sit down and plan something down to the smallest detail. I just tap into whichever one is needed, and I think that's what allows me to do this.
Why I Keep Going
There are definitely moments where it feels overwhelming. This past year especially, there were times I thought about quitting, closing everything, and starting over somewhere else. But those moments pass. What keeps me going is the dream: remembering why I started and trusting that the hard seasons are part of building something bigger.
If I could give advice to someone who wants to open a flower shop, it would be this: go work at one first. Intern, assist, or shadow someone you admire, and see what it actually takes. If this is something that just feels "cute" or fun, it's going to be very hard, because this work requires drive, consistency, and a lot of resilience. But if it's something you truly want, something you feel called to do, then it's worth it.
XoXo, Your Fleurist, Angelina
