Mistakes I’ve Made in Floristry (and What They Taught Me)
Ten real lessons from years of blooms, bruises, and hard-earned experience…
Every florist learns the hard way — wilted blooms, sleepless installs, and lessons you only earn by experience. Over the years of building RK Florals, both in Indianapolis and on the Central California Coast, I’ve made plenty of mistakes that taught me how to balance artistry with business (and sanity). These are ten of them — the ones I don’t mind admitting, because they’ve made me better.
1. Getting Boxed Into One Style
I built my brand on a fine-art, painterly aesthetic — and at one point, it trapped me. I hesitated to share other types of work, afraid it would confuse clients. Turns out, versatility doesn’t dilute your brand — it strengthens it. Showing event work, installations, and more minimal designs adds depth and keeps the creative spark alive.
2. Saying Yes to “Exposure” Instead of Payment
I’ve done the “great exposure” projects that promised visibility instead of pay. Spoiler: it rarely works. Now I only say yes when there’s genuine mutual benefit — creative alignment, shared audience, or clear marketing value — and I always ask for materials to be covered.
3. Not Vetting Freelancers Enough
I once hired someone who later posted my event work as her own — even blocking me to do it. Painful lesson, but it taught me to vet carefully and protect my brand. I’ve also learned not to rely solely on the images freelancers send when applying. Sometimes what they show you online and what they can actually produce in person don’t match. Now, I make it a point to see them design firsthand or get a trusted referral before bringing them on. These days, I hire people who value collaboration, professionalism, and integrity over ego.
4. Over-Delivering Without Boundaries
For years, I equated good service with doing more than I promised — extra arrangements, longer hours, constant flexibility. It drained me fast. Clear proposals and boundaries aren’t rigid; they create room for the creativity clients actually hire you for. The same goes for conversations outside of client work — especially with those asking for “quick advice” when what they’re really after is a shortcut to getting ahead. You’ll learn quickly who those people are, and it’s okay to protect your time there, too.
5. Ignoring the Business Side
Like many florists, I started by pricing on feeling rather than numbers. Once I began tracking costs, labor, and margins, everything changed. Knowing your worth isn’t cold or corporate — it’s what allows the art to thrive sustainably.
6. Not Documenting Enough
I used to finish an event with barely a photo to show for it. Now I build documentation into my process — and for larger weddings, I’ll hire someone to capture the day. That content fuels marketing, SEO, and growth long after the flowers fade.
7. Trying to Do It All Myself
From emails to installations, I wore every hat for far too long. Bringing in the right help — admin, freelancers, assistants — freed me to focus on design integrity, client experience, and creative direction.
8. Forgetting to Plan for Trash Removal
A surprising number of venues no longer allow vendors to use their dumpsters — something I learned the hard way. Now I always include trash removal in my logistics plan (and invoice). It’s not glamorous, but it saves a late-night scramble.
9. Underestimating Setup Time (and the Mechanics Behind It)
If I think it’ll take four hours, it probably needs six — and that’s before counting the time spent planning mechanics or making extra hardware-store runs. Complex installations always take more prep than you expect. Between load-ins, structure building, and inevitable supply gaps, extra time is the difference between calm and chaos. Always pad your timeline — and your hardware list.
10. Not Having Backup Supplies
I’ve learned to never arrive at a venue without extras — trash bags, zip ties, tape, clippers, floral wire, even a broom. Something always comes up. Having backups of whatever you’re using that day can save hours of frustration (and a few whispered words you wouldn’t want clients to hear).
Final Thought
Every mistake became compost for the next season — feeding better systems, stronger boundaries, and a clearer sense of purpose. Floristry isn’t about perfection; it’s about evolving, one stem and one hard-earned lesson at a time.