Earned, Not Owed: What New Floral Designers Need to Know
The floral industry is full of beauty, creativity, and opportunity—but only for those willing to respect the work it takes to build something lasting.
Over the years, many new designers have reached out to me seeking advice or mentorship. Some approach in a way that opens doors: with thoughtfulness, humility, and a genuine desire to learn. Others, however, come in expecting time, access, and answers without having earned any of it. And that’s where things begin to unravel.
The screenshot in this post is from one such exchange. A very new designer had reached out to me several times. I acknowledged them, responded professionally, and let them know I’d follow up when I had the bandwidth. That wasn’t enough. What followed was a passive-aggressive message criticizing me for not being “collaborative,” and a tone that suggested my boundaries were somehow unprofessional—simply because they didn’t get what they wanted, when they wanted it. What made it even more frustrating? I responded. I took the time to reply respectfully, offering a bit of insight into the industry and why access, mentorship, and collaboration aren’t things you demand—they’re things you earn. And instead of engaging with that, the response I received was dismissive and condescending, echoing the same entitled tone as the original message. It was the kind of reply that deflects accountability rather than taking anything in—a defensive reaction dressed up as concern, but ultimately saying more about them than anything else.
I’ve spoken with other designers who’ve dealt with the same thing—being expected to hand over time, strategy, and even sensitive business information, without so much as a proper introduction. There’s a fine line between curiosity and entitlement, and too many newcomers are crossing it.
Let’s be clear: if you're just starting out, there is no shortcut.
Want to learn? Go work for a flower shop.
Want experience? Freelance, assist, take classes.
Want trust? Show up early, wash the buckets, carry the crates, and don’t roll your eyes when you’re asked to sweep the floor - in fact, just pick up the broom without being asked!
And if you're reaching out to established designers asking for sourcing info, pricing structures, or vendor contacts—understand those are not casual asks. Those are earned privileges. Those are assets built through years of trial, failure, and persistence. Asking for them without relationship or respect doesn’t come off as “hungry”—it comes off as entitled.
And here’s the truth that gets missed too often: Talent does not equal experience! You can be naturally gifted, have a great eye, and still not know the first thing about what it takes to run a real, working floral business. Humble yourself to that. Because if you don’t, this industry will do it for you.
The floral industry will open doors for people who do the work. For people who carry themselves with humility. For people who know that talent might get you noticed, but consistency and character are what get you hired and invited back.
To those quietly doing the work behind the scenes, grinding through each season and every late-night install: keep going. You don’t owe your time, your process, or your hard-earned knowledge to anyone who treats your boundaries like an inconvenience. Let them learn the way we all did: by showing up, staying grounded, and earning every inch of it.
***And for clarity—while this post was sparked by a single exchange, the issue it addresses isn’t isolated. I’ve seen similar patterns emerge in group settings and conversations within our industry. I’ve chosen not to name anyone or share specifics, but the full conversation is documented. This post isn’t based on assumption or emotion—it’s grounded in lived experience, and the tone I received only confirmed what needed to be said.
