How to Hire Your Dream Team as a Florist

Team work makes every event sweeter (even in a greenhouse on a very hot Sydney day)

Hiring your first team member—or growing your floral team—is an exciting step in your business journey. It’s also a big one. The right hire can make your days smoother, your clients happier, and your designs even more magical. But how do you find the right fit?

Let’s break it down.

What qualities should you look for in a Florist?

I truely belive that you’re not just hiring another pair of hands—you’re hiring someone who will represent your business, work with your clients, and share in the creative energy that makes your work so special. Becasue of that there are a few key traits to look out for.

• A love for flowers and design: You may not need a fully trained florist, remember there is a lot that you need help with that you can train someone to do, but that candidate should have a genuine interest in the floral world and a willingness to learn.

• Strong work ethic and flexibility: We all know floral work can be physically demanding, involves early starts, long days, and tight timelines. Look for someone reliable and adaptable. In all my years teaching and mentoring young florists I've always maintained that while I can teach all the skills you need to do the work, I can't teach a strong worth ethic!

• Attention to detail: Whether it’s arranging delicate stems or setting up a wedding ceremony install, details matter in floristry. Someone who has a natural eye for the finer details, can look out for the smallest quality issues in the flowers, and picks up on the errors in a customer order is a game changer for any busy business owner.

• A calm and kind presence: Weddings, events, and even day-to-day retail can be high-pressure. A calm, friendly attitude goes a long way. If you've ever been in a stressful workplace or worked a long and tough event you know first hand that enjoying the people you work with makes those tough times easier.

• Team spirit: You want someone who can communicate well, work collaboratively, and share your business values. Always remember that your team represent you and your business so you want to make sure they embody your values and enhance the environment you've lovingly created.

You've decided to meet with an applicant, how do you interview a florist?

I've never had a "proper" job interview, certainy not compared to my friends in more traditional fields, I've never sat in front of a panel and had questions thrown my way. In fact I've only had two job interviews in my adult life so i'm no expert in being the one being interviewed but i've been an employer for 15 years. When I talk to florists looking to hire they feel unsure about the interview process. The good news? You don’t need to be overly corporate or formal. Your process should be a great reflection of you, your business and your values.

Try this structure:

• Start casual. Let them get comfortable with a quick intro about you, your business, and what you love about what you do. Talk about what it is you're looking for, what is the role, what duties does it entail.

  
  

• Ask practical questions. Ask about their previous experience (in floristry or other customer-facing or creative roles), how they handle pressure, and how they feel about the job duties you've described, does this sound like a business they want to be a part of?

  
  

• Give a real-world scenario. Something that relates to the job you're hiring for.

  eg. you're hiring a senior event florist you could ask "You’re delivering wedding bouquets and one is missing—what do you do?” This will give you an insight into their probem solving skills and experience.

  
  

• Have them create. Are you looking for someone with a certain experince level, or a specific design style? If you're looking for a florist to be on the tools or need someone with a particular level of hands on experience, have them create something. It could be of their choosing, or one of your designs, what you choose to have them create will be determined by how you see them working within your business.

  
  

• Ask for references. Whilst employing florists has always been less formal than many other industries its still completley acceptable to ask for references. What to ask these references? Again have an open conversation, the questions you ask will differ depending on the relationship between your candidate and their referee, were they a co worker, or manager? Was their role as a florist or in another field?

  
  

• Include a trial day, if appropriate. A few hours in the studio or on a small event can give both of you a better feel for the fit. Not everyone interviews well, if you're feeling a great vibe discuss a trial period. A lot of us have done free trials to get work as a Florist. I'm not a fan of this, I think any trial should be paid.

Finding yourself needing to grow your team is both a huge achievement and a daunting experience It can feel like a big leap, but it can also bring fresh energy, creative input, and much needed support for your business. With a little planning and some clear intentions, you’ll build a team that not only lightens your load—but brings your brand to life in new ways.

Need help writing a job ad, planning an interview, or onboarding your new hire? I offer 1:1 coaching for florists navigating business growth—get in touch if you’d like support.