Florist / Floral Design Entrepreneur 

Florist / Floral Design Entrepreneur

330 Hours/12 Months/Instructor Supported

Course Overview:

This course is great for anyone interested in the field of Floral Design. Our course highlights floral design techniques ranging from basic to cutting edge. With a well-balanced presentation of theory and practice this course sets the standard in floral design topics covered include a history of floral design the principles and mechanics of flower arranging care and handling of flowers and foliage as well as arrangement styles for a variety of special occasions. Updated to reflect the latest concepts and practices this course will place you at the forefront of your field.

This program includes a "Start Your Own Business" class will help you create the business you want. Throughout this course you will be working on your business plan and creating a quick comprehensive overview of the elements you want in your new business.

Have you ever eaten a Mrs. Fields cookie? Used an Apple computer? Listened to a hip-hop CD? Entrepreneurs brought these products to your world. People that start their own businesses and work for themselves are called entrepreneurs. For an entrepreneur the sky is the limit as far as earnings are concerned. An entrepreneur is someone who's recognized an opportunity to start a business that other people may not have noticed -- and jumps at it a skillfully. Entrepreneur can shape and create an opportunity where others see little or nothing -- or see it too early or too late.

The Florist / Floral Design Entrepreneur program includes 2 courses:

• Florist / Floral Design
• Start Your Own Business

Course Outline:

Florist/Floral Design

Florist/Floral Design Module 1
Theory and Design

• History of Floral Design
• Design Principles and Elements
• Design, Harmony, and Unity
• Understanding and Using Color
• Balance, Proportion and Scale
• Focal Point and Rhythm
• Line, Form, Space and Depth
• Texture and Fragrance
• Tools, Containers and Mechanics
• The Mechanics of Floral Design

Florist/Floral Design Module 2
Basic Techniques and Styles

• Nomenclature and Postharvest Physiology
• Care and Handling
• Flower and Foliage Forms
• Shapes of Floral Arrangements
• Seasonal, Holiday and Special Occasions Designs
• Understanding the Floral Holidays
• Flowers to Wear
• Boutonnieres and Corsages
• Everlasting Flowers
• Drying and Preservation Techniques

Florist/Floral Design Module 3
Advanced Techniques and Styles

• Oriental Style of Design
• Contemporary Design Styles and Techniques
• Naturalistic Design Styles
• Wedding Flowers
• The Wedding Consultation
• Styles of Bouquets
• Servicing the Wedding
• Sympathy & Funeral Flowers
• Flowers for the Casket
• Easel Designs and Set Pieces

Florist/Floral Design Module 4
The Floral Industry

• Harvest and Distribution
• The World Flower Market
• Packing and Shipping
• The Retail Flower Shop
• Types of Flower Shops
• Product Presentation and Shop Layout
• Employees and Responsibilities
• Marketing Your Business
• Customer Relations
• Buying and Pricing
• Careers and Continuing Education

Florist/Floral Design Module 5
Starting a Florist Shop or Floral Business

• Where to Start
• Understanding Retail vs. Wholesale
• A Day in the Life of a Florist
• Main Types of Floral Businesses
• Market Research and Financing
• The Business side of Flowers
• Insurance and Legal Matters
• Outfitting a Flower Shop
• Finding Suppliers
• Common flowers and Their Care
• Learning about a Niche
• Tricks of the Trade
• Creating a Marketing Plan
• Advertising, Websites and Signage
• Customer Service
• Employee Training
• Putting it All Together

Start Your Own Business

Start Your Own Business Module 1
What Business Do You Want to Start?

• What Is an Entrepreneur?
• Why be an Entrepreneur?
• Costs and Benefits of Becoming an Entrepreneur
• Entrepreneurship Options
• An Idea Is Not Necessarily an Opportunity
• Paths to Small Business Ownership
• Making the Business Work on Your Terms
• The Business Plan: Road Map to Success
• Why Do You Need a Business Plan?
• Business Plan Components
• Business Plan Suggestions
• Creating Business from Opportunity
• Your Competitive Advantage
• Feasibility: The "Economics of One Unit"

Start Your Own Business Module 2
Who Are Your Customers?

• Exploring Your Market
• Market Research Prepares You for Success
• Know Your Customer
• How Customers Decide to Buy
• Which Segment of the Market Will You Target?
• Market Positioning
• Developing the Right Marketing Mix
• The Four Marketing Factors
• Product: What Are You Selling?
• Price: What It Says About Your Product
• Place: Location, Location, Location!
• Promotion: Advertising + Publicity
• Marketing as a Fixed Cost
• Smart Selling and Effective Customer Service
• The Sales Call
• Successful Businesses Need Customers Who Return
• Customer Service IS Marketing

Start Your Own Business Module 3
Show Me the Money!: Finding, Securing and Managing It

• What Does It Cost to Operate a Business?
• Start-Up Investment
• Fixed and Variable Costs: Essential Building Blocks
• Calculating Critical Costs
• Creating Financial Statements for the Journal
• Three Rules for Managing Your Cash
• Using Financial Statements to Guide a Business
• Income Statements
• Balance Sheets
• Financial Ratio Analysis
• Cash Flow: The Lifeblood of a Business
• The Value of Money Changes Over Time
• Taxes
• Financing Strategy: Debt, Equity or Both?
• What Is the Best Type of Financing for Your Business?
• Gifts and Grants
• Debt Financing
• Equity Financing
• Accessing Sources through Online Networking
• Investors Want Their Money to Grow

Start Your Own Business Module 4
Operating a Small Business Effectively

• Business Legal Structures
• Contracts: The Building Blocks of Business
• Protecting What You Have: Intellectual Property
• Risk Management
• Licenses, Permits and Certificates
• Operating for Success
• The Production-Distribution Chain
• Supply Chain Management
• The Idea-to-Product Process
• Job Shops
• Manufacturing Tips
• Defining Quality
• Organization Wide Quality Initiatives
• Using Technology to Your Advantage
• Setting the Tone for the Company
• Leadership Comes from Self-Esteem
• Adding Employees to Your Business
• Corporate Management: Team Building
• Ethical leadership
• Human Resources Fundamentals
• What Do You Want from Your Business?
• Growth Through Licensing and Franchising
• Harvesting and Exiting Options
• Creating Wealth by Selling a Profitable Business
• Exit Strategy Options
• 100 Business Ideas

All necessary materials included.

System Requirements:

Internet Access

• Broadband or high-speed internet access is required. Broadband includes DSL, cable, and wireless connections.
• Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Moodle pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.

Hardware

• Windows hardware configurations and processors are acceptable.
• Mac computers MUST have Microsoft Window Operating Systems over Bootcamp (Bootcamp is a free download from Apple's website).
• 1 GB RAM recommended
• Software
• Operating Systems
• Windows XP or Vista and Mac OS X 10 and higher with Windows
• Web Browsers
• Google Chrome
• Safari, Internet Explorer & FireFox are not currently recommended as they cannot display certain Moodle editing menus for both students and instructors
• Adobe PDF Reader
• Media Plug-ins (These may be required depending on your course media-click on the links below to download the latest versions)
• Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Apple Quicktime
• Windows Media Player
• Real Player
• PowerPoint Viewer (use this if you don't have PowerPoint)