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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent reality check for budding shopowners , 4 Sep 2006
Having joined the flower industry from the world of finance (I set up my first shop in 2001), this would have been an invaluable book when I was starting out. I have learned many of the lessons that the author, Alan Peck, and his late wife learned, and I found myself frequently thinking 'I've done that!', when they referred to some of the pitfalls that they had found on their way to owning a large floristry business. In particular, Alan discusses the financial aspect of buying and owning a shop, and the importance of being on top of accounts and VAT. He also generously shares details of the balance sheet from a year's trading, and it will be interesting for many readers to note how the profits relate to takings. For those thinking of coming into the flower business, this will probably be a bit of a welcome 'eye opener' insofar as the profits, bearing in mind these represent total household earnings for a couple running the shop, are far from huge. Don't forget too, that this is a large shop with 6 - 8 staff and two drivers.
The author is also candid about how stressful the job can be, particularly at key trading times such as St Valentines Day and Christmas - with anecdotal evidence of some poor florists going into nervous meltdown! These are the times that customers never see - still there at 10 p.m. making bouquets, after a 6 a.m. start, with a raft or orders still to finish before going home for some precious sleep, and another busy 12 hour day.
In these days of less certain 'jobs for life', there are many people, particularly couples with redundancy money, coming into the industry. I can testify to the number who have thought it will be a 'nice little business - working with flowers all day' and subsequently realised that, not only are they out of their depth workwise (frequently having only done a beginner's course at a local college), but it's also far, far harder and more stressful work than they ever anticipated. If this book saves a few marriages (and redundancy settlements), then it will have done a public service!
Owning and running a Floristry business is a not a short cut to a fortune - the only 'rich' florists are the predominantly London based 'celebrity' florists, who can command celebrity prices for their work, write books and appear on TV. A flower shop is a 'lifestyle' business, where, if you love working with flowers and creating something special for your customers, you can find this very artistically rewarding, and it will hopefully provide you with a comfortable living.
This excellent book will give plenty of very sound guidance to those looking to open their first shop, or perhaps move on to something bigger from their initial venture.
Very well written by Mr Peck and a fine tribute to his late wife, who obvioulsy loved what she did, as did her customers.
Highly recommended.
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