Becoming a Freelance Florist: Small Wins and Big Challenges

Léa Victoria·November 17, 2024·5 min read

Changing professional status is always a big adventure, and moving from employed florist to freelance florist in Toulouse is no exception. This transition brings freedom and creativity, but also plenty of challenges. In this article, I share my experience building Poésie Fleurie, along with advice and lessons learned for anyone thinking about taking the leap.

Why become a freelance florist?

After several years as an employed florist, I felt the need to explore a new path. Working for myself allows me:

To choose my projects: window displays, weddings, floral subscriptions... I can focus on the assignments that truly inspire me.
To organize my time: even when the work is intense, I can structure my days around my priorities.
To bring my own touch: every floral composition becomes an expression of my creativity.

But that freedom comes with responsibility, especially when it comes to admin, prospecting and organization.

Where to start? First steps as a freelancer

Starting as a freelancer can feel intimidating. Here is how I approached it:

1. Building visibility

An online presence is essential. Instagram was my first tool for showing my creations and making my work visible. Posting regularly, interacting with followers and sharing my world helped me find my first clients.

2. Activating word of mouth

Your network is precious. Talk about your project to former colleagues, friends and local shop owners. Very quickly, recommendations helped me secure my first assignments.

3. Joining specialized platforms

To expand my visibility, I joined Sessile, a platform dedicated to floral transmission. It allowed people to contact me for varied projects, from window displays to bouquets.

And just like that, my first freelance assignments arrived. It was a real moment of satisfaction and pride.

The challenges of freelancing

Being freelance is not just about creating bouquets. These are the main challenges I faced, and how I dealt with them.

1. Irregular income

The most stressful part is not having a fixed income. Fortunately, my past experience as an employee helped me secure recurring missions. But that does not always add up to a full-time workload.

My solution: offer my services directly to other florists. A simple phone call or a visit to a shop can lead to great opportunities. It also helps me build a long-term vision and anticipate my income.

2. Admin management

Ah, paperwork. Quotes, invoices, follow-ups... the hours spent on spreadsheets add up quickly. 😅 During my first assignments, I spent a huge amount of time adjusting quotes when clients changed their minds. It can become exhausting. I have already spent three hours on a single quote...

My solution: my partner 😄, a software engineer, built my website and advised me to use a tool to centralize and automate these processes. Today I use Qonto, which allows me to:

create quotes and invoices easily;
follow up with clients quickly;
keep a clear view of income and expenses;
manage my business account.

I am even considering investing in a card payment terminal through Qonto so clients can pay directly. Smooth and simple: that is the goal.

My tips for staying organized

Organization is essential for succeeding as a freelancer. Here are a few things that help me every day:

Plan your days: use a calendar for assignments, client meetings and deadlines.
Take breaks: even during intense periods, rest is necessary to stay creative.
Invest in the right tools: whether for admin or client communication, tools like Qonto can reduce mental load.

What comes next?

Once you have started, the goal is to keep developing your business while maintaining balance. For me, that means:

Securing recurring assignments: working regularly with florists or businesses to stabilize income.
Offering new services: floral subscriptions or workshops, for example, to diversify my activity.
Continuing to learn: every assignment is an opportunity to grow my skills.

Conclusion

Moving from employed florist to freelancer has been incredibly rewarding. Of course, the beginning can be chaotic and stressful, but with good organization and the right tools, it is possible to truly thrive.

If you are thinking about starting, I encourage you to take it step by step, surround yourself with the right people and ask for advice when you need it. And above all, remember: every bouquet you create is a part of yourself that you offer to the world. That may sound a little poetic, but my business is called Poésie Fleurie after all. 😊

This adventure allowed me to create Poésie Fleurie, my independent floral studio in Toulouse, where I continue to cultivate this freedom every day: bespoke bouquets, window displays, weddings and floral subscriptions for businesses.

And for you, client or partner?

Working with a freelance florist means benefiting from a direct and personalized relationship. No intermediary, no fixed catalogue: we discuss your project, build the proposal together, and I am personally involved from start to finish.

→ Learn more about Poésie Fleurie · → View our creations