business plan for flower shop ppt

Flower Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Flower Shop Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their flower shop companies. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a flower shop business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Flower Shop Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your flower shop business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Flower Shop

If you’re looking to start a flower shop business or grow your existing flower shop company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your flower shop business to improve your chances of success. Your flower shop business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Flower Shop Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for a flower shop business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for flower shop companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a flower shop business.

If you want to start a flower shop business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your flower shop business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of flower shop business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a flower shop business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of flower shop businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the flower shop industry.
• Discuss the type of flower shop business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of flower shop business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of flower shop businesses:

• Retail Flower Shop : this type of flower shop is located in a retail location as part of a  shopping mall, store, or is housed in a stand-alone building. Customers served are typically from the local residential and business areas, with a high rate of repeat customer business. Flower delivery is usually offered at an additional cost.
• In-Store & Online Flower Shop: this type of flower shop supplies flower arrangements in various formats for both walk-in or call-in retail customers and, additionally, serves online retail customers. Pricing for flower arrangements is congruent in both types of sales; however, delivery charges vary according to the type of delivery required.
• Online-Only Flower Shop : As the name suggests, this type of flower shop is concentrated on the primary website of the business and offers numerous floral arrangements created and delivered to customers who order online. No services exist for walk-in or call-in customers and there is no store location.
• Mobile Flower Cart : Customers of a mobile flower cart include those who work in businesses or frequent busy city districts. Mobile flower carts typically carry floral bouquets wrapped in paper or loose arrangements rather than formal floral arrangements that  include vases.

In addition to explaining the type of flower shop business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of flower shop customers served, the number of deliveries made, reaching X number of mobile flower carts, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the flower shop industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the flower shop industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your florist business plan:

• How big is the flower shop industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your flower shop business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your flower shop business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, wedding parties, families and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of flower shop business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Flower Shop Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other flower shop businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes grocery stores selling loose flowers, flower farms, or wholesale flower markets. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of flower shop business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regard to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide packages for wedding floral arrangements?
• Will you offer preferred customer discounts that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer floral arrangements for all budgets?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a florist business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of flower shop company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, social gatherings and corporate events?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your flower shop company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your flower shop business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your flower shop marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your flower shop business, including answering calls, building floral arrangements and delivering them, billing corporate accounts, or restocking your mobile flower cart daily, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell you Xth floral arrangement, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your mobile flower carts to reach your entire city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your flower shop business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing flower shop businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a flower shop business or successfully running a small gift shop.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you sell 50 floral arrangements per day, and/or contract with corporations for monthly floral services? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your flower shop business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a flower shop business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of corporations interested in long-term contracts for floral services.

Writing a business plan for your flower shop business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the flower shop industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful flower shop business.

Flower Shop Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my flower shop business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your flower shop business plan.

How Do You Start a Flower Shop Business?

Starting a Flower Shop business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Flower Shop Business
• Create Your Flower Shop Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Flower Shop Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Flower Shop Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Flower Shop Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Flower Shop Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Flower Shop Business Equipment
• Develop Your Flower Shop Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Flower Shop Business
• Open for Business

Learn more about how to start your own flower shop business .

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Flower Shop business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how a Growthink business plan writer can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Sample Business Plans » Wholesale & Retail

How to Write a Flower Shop Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a flower shop? If YES, here is a complete sample flower shop business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . If you have eyes for colors and designs, as well as have a penchant for beauty, then you may want to tinker with starting your own Flower Shop. The market for both fresh flowers and artificial flower has continued to soar from generation to generation. This is as long as we still have weddings, burials and other special events taking place all around us.

Why Start a Flower Shop?

Fact remains that as insignificant as most people think flower is, it is still a major requirement for weddings (Bouquet for the brides), burial designs (wreath), love gathering and design and decoration of event centers and even worship centers.

No doubt if you are interested in making brides happy on their wedding day or adding colors to people’s events, then you should consider starting your own flower shop. It is indeed a profitable venture especially if you know how to roll with big – time events and wedding planners.

One beauty about this kind of business is that you could decide to specialize in either artificial flowers or natural flowers and also you can decide to specialize in both. With natural flower, you can even start by growing them in a garden in your compound if you have enough space and also you can order your artificial flowers and flower pots directly from the manufacturer at a cheaper rate if you know how to bargain.

A Sample Flower Shop Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

A flower shop is a place where flowers are retailed. The florist industry or flower shops basically retail cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants and artificial flowers. Industry operators purchase these goods from domestic and international flower farms and wholesalers, and then sell them to the general public. This industry excludes operators that primarily function as electronic shopping websites and mail-order companies.

The Florists industry has been on a downward movement over the last five years. Bad economic conditions during the recession period reduced disposable income, dissuading households from making discretionary purchases on flowers and plants.

So also, intensified competition has worsened declining demand; discounted prices for comparable goods online and in supermarkets have led consumers to buy fewer flowers from traditional flower shop. The Florist industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the united states which generates a whooping sum of well over billion annually from more than 35,343 outlets scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 83,208 people. Experts project the florist industry to grow at a 1.4 percent annual rate. No single florist store can boast of having a lion market share in the industry. The Florists industry has minimal barriers to entry, with low start – up capital and no specific licensing requirements.

The majority of flower shops operate as non – employers and the capital costs of establishing retail outlets are not substantial relative to many other retail industries, such as department stores. On the other hand, the high level of competition and market saturation in a declining industry can prove challenging to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own flower shop – business.

Most players in the florist industry are small- to medium-size establishments that cater to the local community. With this kind of business, if you want to start on a small scale, you can choose to start it as a part time business from your home. All you would need is contacts, business cards and your catalogue.

However, if you intend starting it as a full – time business person, then you should consider renting a shop in an area that is prone to high human and vehicular traffic. The good thing about ensuring that your flower shop is visible to all is so that people may easily walk into your shop to make enquiries even if they aren’t buying at that moment. With that you will be able to build your potential client list that you can use for marketing purpose.

Over and above, the florist industry / flower shop is a profitable industry and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can chose to start on a small scale in a street corner like the average mom and pop business or you can chose to start on a large scale with several outlets in key cities.

2. Executive Summary

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is a standard and registered flower shop business that will be located in one of the busiest roads in Orlando, Florida. We have been able to lease a facility along a major road that is big enough to fit into the design of the kind of flower shop that we intend launching and the facility is located in a corner piece directly opposite the largest residential estate in Orlando, Florida.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC will be involved in the production / cultivation, commerce and trade of flowers. Our product and services encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. We will also sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade.

We are aware that there are several large and small flower shops all around Orlando – Florida, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering. We have self – service options for our customers, and our outlet is well secured with the various payment of options.

Much more than retailing cut flowers, retailing of fresh and artificial flowers, retailing floral arrangements, retailing potted plants and retailing complimentary gift items , our customer care will be second to none in the whole of Orlando, Florida.

We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they visit our flower and also to become our loyal customers and ambassadors. Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our flower shop.

We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customers’ base may grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved when making some business decisions that directly affect them.

We are aware of the trend in the retail / florist industry and we are not only going to operate a system where our customers would have to come to our flower shop to make purchase or whatever they want but we will also operate an online store and our customers can order flowers and related merchandize online and they will get it delivered to their houses or any location they want us to deliver the goods to within Orlando.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is a family business that is owned by Bernie Vandross and Family. Bernie Vandross is florist per excellence; he has a B.Sc. in Business Administration, with well over 15 years of experience in the florist and retailing industry, working for some of the leading brand in the United States.

Although the business is launching out with just one outlet in Orlando – Florida, but there is a plan to open other outlets all around Florida and perhaps in other key cities in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is in the florist industry / flower shop line of business to make profits and we will ensure we go all the way to make available a wide range of flowers both natural and artificial and other related merchandize to our clients.

Our product and service offerings are listed below;

• Retailing cut flowers
• Retailing of fresh and artificial flowers
• Retailing floral arrangements
• Retailing potted plants
• Retailing complimentary gift items

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the leading flower shop – brand in the florist industry in Florida and to establish a one stop flower shop in Orlando and in other cities in Florida.
• Our mission is to establish a flower shop business that will make available a wide range of both fresh / natural and artificial flowers at affordable prices to the residence of Orlando, Florida and other cities in Florida where we intend opening of chains of flower shops.

Our Business Structure

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC do not intend to start a flower shop business like the usual mom and pop business around the street corner; our intention of starting a flower shop business is to build a standard and one stop flower shop in Orlando, Florida.

Although our flower shop business might not be as big as other related business that are into retailing, but will ensure that we put the right structure in place that will support the kind of growth that we have in mind while setting up the business.

We will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
• Shop Manager
• Human Resources and Admin Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Information Technologist

• Accountants / Cashiers
• Customer Services Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Chief Florist):

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Reports to the board

Admin and HR Manager

• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Shop Manager:

• Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store
• Ensures that proper records of goods are kept and our racks and warehouse does not run out of products
• Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
• Interfaces with third – party suppliers (vendors)
• Controls goods distribution and supply inventory
• Supervises the workforce
• Responsible for retailing cut flowers
• Responsible for retailing of fresh and artificial flowers
• Responsible for retailing floral arrangements
• Responsible for retailing potted plants
• Responsible for retailing complimentary gift items
• Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
• Helps to ensure consistent quality of both natural and artificial flowers in our shop
• Responsible for the purchase of flowers and related products for the organizations
• Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
• Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Manages the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manages logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manages the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries
• Responsible for cleaning the shop facility at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the store facility
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the shop manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our intention of starting just one outlet of our flower shop in Orlando, Florida is to test run the business for a period of 2  to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then open other outlets all over Florida.

We are quite aware that there are several Supermarket who retail flowers and flower shops all over Orlando and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be welled equipped to confront our threats.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC;

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (physical flower shop and online flower store), varieties of payment options, wide range of flowers and related products and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC.

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new flower shop – business and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – billion dollars supermarkets who are into retailing of flowers and other big – term florist companies who are into mass production of flowers and related products when it comes to retailing at a rock bottom prices for all their goods.

• Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our flower shop in one of the busiest streets in Orlando, Florida provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell our flowers and related products to a large number of people. We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they visit our flower shop; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new supermarket that is into retailing flowers and other flower shops in same location where ours is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

In this era when the online community is growing rapidly, you would do your business a whole lot of favor if you create your own online presence. One of the easiest ways to get people to see you as an expert in your line of business is to blog constantly about flowers. You may also want to leverage on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and others to publicize your flower business.

You can as well go ahead to open an online flower shop where people can order flowers for their special occasion from your shop. You must ensure that your delivery system (shipping) is efficient if you intend to do well with your online flower shop.

You might not have all the designs and color combination of your flower per time in your shop, but one smart thing you may do for your business is to prepare a comprehensive catalogue that contains all form of flower designs.

Your catalog should be your number one marketing tool so you must ensure that it is well designed and of high quality. You should be ready to always update your catalog when you have new designs – that is where your graphics skills will come in handy.

Another key factor that could help you grow your business fast is to leverage on existing platforms. You can join a florist association in your area, as well as can with wedding and event planners in your area. Better yet, you can also work with caskets seller too. If you are in good business relationship with all these people mentioned, then you can be rest assured that your business will grow in within a short period of time.

8. Our Target Market

There are loads of people who can’t do without flowers either natural or artificial flower and there are loads of functions such as wedding ceremonies, burial ceremonies and many other events. This goes to show that if a flower shop is well positioned, they will continue to sell their products to a wide range of clients on a regular basis.

In view of that, we have positioned our flower shop to service the residence of Orlando, Florida and every other location our flower shop will be located in key cities all over Florida. We have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. We are in business to retail a wide range of flowers and related merchandize to the following groups of people;

• Event Planners
• Churches and other religious centers
• Funeral Homes
• Bachelors and Spinsters
• Corporate Executives
• Business People
• About to wed couples
• Expectant Mothers
• Sports Men and Women

Our Competitive Advantage

A close study of the florist industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry. We are aware of the stiffer competition and we are well prepared to compete favorably with flower shops and other leading supermarkets that are into retailing of flowers in Orlando, Florida.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is launching a standard flower shop that will indeed become the preferred choice of residence of Orlando, Florida. Our flower shop is located in a corner piece property on a busy road directly opposite one of the largest residential estates in Orlando, Florida. We have enough parking space that can accommodate well over 20 cars per time.

One thing is certain, we will ensure that we have a wide range of flowers both natural and artificial and related products available in our shop at all times. It will be difficult for customers to visit our flower shop and not make a purchase of flowers or other related products.

One of our business goals is to make Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC a one stop flower shop. Our excellent customer service culture, online store, various payment options and highly secured facility will serve as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups flower shops) in the florist industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives. We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is in business to retail a wide range of flowers (both natural and artificial) and related products to the residence of Orlando, Florida. We are in the florist industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.

In essence, our source of income will be the retailing of a wide range of flowers and other related products at affordable prices. We will generate income by;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to flower shop business, if your shop is well stocked and centrally positioned, you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Orlando, Florida and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the florist industry / flower shop line of business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Orlando, Florida.

Below is the sales projection for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to flower shop start – ups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year-: $50,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $150,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $450,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same products and customer care services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, we conduct a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for residence of Orlando, Florida. We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the florist industry / flower shop line of business to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Orlando.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell the flowers and related products that are available in our shop which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver. In summary, Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

• Open our flower shop in a grand style with a party for all.
• Introduce our flower shop business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations, religious centers, funeral homes, event planners, households and key stake holders in Orlando, Florida
• Ensure that we have a wide range of flowers (natural and artificial) and other related merchandize in our shop at all times.
• Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our flower shop
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Orlando
• Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
• Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our flower shop.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our flower shop is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC. Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around Florida which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Orlando before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Orlando, Florida
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• Contact corporate organizations, households, religious centers, funeral homes and event planners et al by calling them up and informing them of Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC and the products we sell
• Advertise Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and vans and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to retailers and flower shops, it is normal for consumers to go to places (flower shops) where they can get flowers and related merchandize at cheaper price which is why big player in the florist industry will continue to attract loads of consumers. Products in their store are tagged with the cheapest price you can get anywhere in the United States.

We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with bigger and well – established flower shops, but we will ensure that the prices of all the products that are available in our flower shop are competitive with what is obtainable amongst flower shops within our level.

We are aware that there are contracts for flower supply by government, sports organizations or big religious organization; we will ensure that we abide by the bidding pricing template when we bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

At Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, Our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;

• Payment by cash
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money
• Payment with check from loyal customers

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a flower shop business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Orlando, Florida – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Peak Lane Grocery Store, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• Cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
• Cost for Shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of flowers (both natural and artificial, flower pots, and other related merchandize) – $100,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs: $5,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al): $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website: $600
• The cost for our opening party: $5,000
• Miscellaneous: $5,000

We would need an estimate of $250,000 to successfully set up our grocery store in Orlando, Florida. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Bernie Vandross and family. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners, which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $70,000 and soft loan from family members $30,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail our flowers, flower pots and other related merchandize a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our shop: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of flowers, flower pots and related merchandize – In Progress

More on Wholesale & Retail

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Florist Business Plan

Start your own florist business plan

Red, White & Bloom

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

“ If, at any time, it comes into my head, that a present is due from me to somebody, I am puzzled what to give, until the opportunity is gone. ”   Ralph Waldo Emerson “ Gifts ,” Essays, Second Series (1844).

In the 160 years since Emerson made this statement, certain things haven’t changed: some of the most successful businessmen still have trouble purchasing gifts – especially flowers – for their wives, fiancées or girl friends. While some things don’t change, fortunately others – such as technology that can make the gift-giving process easier – do.

Red White & Bloom believes there is an opportunity to use technology to make it simple for male executives to easily purchase custom flower arrangements, with delivery on days they determine in advance, for their loved ones. The company plans to approach its goal short term by targeting affluent executive businessmen in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta for a very upscale, Frequent Flower Gift Program and, long term, to debut the city’s first floral art gallery in a neighborhood that is building its name as the next major arts community in Atlanta. Red White & Bloom will differ from traditional florists by cultivating personal relationships through the use of technology and marketing, offering a gift program that makes purchasing flowers easy (and forgetting special dates a thing of the past), and delivering exceptional customer service. Ideally the company plans to open its gallery in March in Castleberry Hill, one of Atlanta’s historic loft neighborhoods that is less than one mile from Downtown Atlanta.

The company anticipates modest first year total revenue with the opportunity to increase Year Two revenue dramatically because of Valentine’s Day sales (excluded in Year One due to a March opening). Additional revenue growth should stem from the maturing Castleberry Hill area as a destination shopping district. At the time of opening the Castleberry Hill area will have approximately 1,500 residents. Studies indicate that a population of 10,000 is necessary to support a traditional retail florist; therefore, it is important to point out that Red White & Bloom will not be a typical retail florist. In Years One to Three of Red White & Bloom’s development, the company will not depend on retail traffic, but will instead use technology and savvy marketing programs to target ideal, repeat buyers (individuals and commercial accounts) in the more than 1,500 targeted businesses in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta office buildings.

With the anticipated expansion of Castleberry Hill as an arts district for leading Atlanta galleries, along with continued projected commercial and residential growth for the downtown area by Central Atlanta Progress, the Castleberry Hill location presents steady growth opportunities for Red White & Bloom. The company is forecasting conservative, yet healthy, revenue projections for Years Two and Three. If the company manages to this plan, revenues should consistently reach over $170,000 each additional year.

Red White & Bloom is an S-Corporation started by Jamie Muir, who is the majority owner.

1.1 Mission

Red White & Bloom will use technology to identify and serve an ideal target audience within a five-mile radius of Castleberry Hill. The company will use sophisticated marketing techniques to secure a core clientele of executive businessmen and corporate accounts, and will differentiate from other traditional retail and on-line florists by offering Frequent Flower Gift Programs with personalized service (e.g., customers can select the specific delivery dates) and custom floral designs (e.g., customers can specify flowers, colors, scents, etc.).

Red White & Bloom is dedicated to operating with a constant enthusiasm for learning, being open to implementing new ideas, and maintaining a willingness to adapt to evolving market conditions.

1.2 Keys to Success

• Using technology to develop loyal, frequently-buying male clients instead of traditional, walk-in retail shoppers.
• Designing and selling innovative, high quality fresh flower arrangements using a variety of design styles, flowers, and containers.
• Creating a storefront that resembles an art gallery, with fresh, avant-garde floral arrangements displayed like art (and always for sale).
• Offering additional products, including gourmet chocolates and original artwork from local artists.
• Communicating with potential customers through direct mail, print advertising and an easy-to-use website.
• Offering complimentary in-store events, such as book signings, cheese tastings, and art showings, that coincide with other neighborhood gallery openings.

1.3 Objectives

• Generate healthy total revenue of $79,600 in Year One.
• Maintain an average direct cost of sales 40% or lower, and a high gross margin.
• Build pricing programs based on the assumption of 10% profit.
• Increase sales approximately 72% in Year Two and 21% in Year Three.*

*Note: Red White & Bloom will open after Valentine’s Day and Easter/Passover in Year One. The large percentage increase in Year Two reflects a full 12-months of revenue (versus 10 months in Year One), the benefit of one year of marketing, and the inclusion of Valentine’s Day and Easter/Passover. Valentine’s Day alone typically accounts for one third of a florist’s yearly revenue.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Red White & Bloom will initially target two key audiences within one geographic market:

Affluent businessmen who work in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta: They are ideal candidates for an automatic, fresh flower delivery program that will help them keep romance alive with their spouses or significant others. The concept involves establishing flower arrangements as a way to foster romance, and the company will target men with higher levels of discretionary income who are more accustomed to spending money on loved ones. With Red White & Bloom’s floral delivery program, these men will never have to worry about missing a loved one’s special day (anniversary, birthday, holiday) and fresh flowers will also be promoted as a way to say “I Love You” on any day of the year. Also, instead of delivering flowers to a woman at home, Red White & Bloom will deliver flowers to the man who works in Midtown/Downtown Atlanta, and let him reap the benefits of delivering the flowers to his loved one in person. To address the inconvenience of transporting flower arrangements from work to home, Red White & Bloom will develop special packaging to keep containers upright and spillproof. This packaging will be well branded with the company’s logo, and will serve as an additional marketing vehicle once delivered to a customer’s workplace (office building).

Midtown and Downtown Atlanta: These are prime areas from which to attract a handful of commercial accounts that require weekly floral arrangements. Downtown Atlanta alone, defined as a four-square mile area centered near the intersection of Peachtree Street and Andrew Young International Blvd, is home to more than 136,000 employees daily. Almost half of the dozen Fortune 500 firms headquartered in Atlanta are either headquartered downtown or have a major office presence downtown. More than 6,500 banks, hotels, large corporations, law firms, upscale restaurants, and consulate/foreign trade offices are located in this defined area, and these businesses are prime candidate for weekly floral arrangements for their lobbies and/or reception areas.

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

Store Location Because Red White & Bloom will not seek traditional retail customers, the company plans to locate in an area of Atlanta close to its downtown clients, but without the price tag of downtown retail space. Red White & Bloom plans to open a small gallery with warehouse workspace in Castleberry Hill, an up-and-coming arts district located approximately one mile from downtown Atlanta. The Castleberry Hill Arts District is currently home to several distinctive galleries, included Skot Forman Fine Art, the Marcia Wood Gallery, the Ty Stokes Gallery, 3TEN Haustudio, and the Wolf Fisher Gallery. In addition, the well-established Atlanta-based speciality furniture store, No Mas! Productions, plans to relocate its main store to the Castleberry Hill area, and create a distinctive destination shopping area for metro Atlanta shoppers. As a floral design gallery, Red White & Bloom will blend perfectly into this neighborhood, and can possibly secure some of the art galleries and stores – and their customers – as its own clients. During the first five years of operation, the company does not anticipate enough retail neighborhood foot traffic to generate desired revenue, but Red White & Bloom would be open to the public six days a week, and would offer a frequent buying program for residents.

Red White & Bloom plans to open in March, occupying approximately 600 square feet. Approximately one-third of the space would be allocated for retail use, and the other two-thirds would be used for workspace and storage. At this time, there are no other planned florists in the Castleberry Hill area.

Free parking is available for the shoppers who visit the area; however, the majority of Red White & Bloom’s revenue will come from routinely delivered floral arrangements outside of the Castleberry Hill area.

Atlanta is served by a large international airport, and access to imported flowers is excellent. Several of the city’s largest floral warehouses are located nearby: Hall’s (less than three miles); Cutflower Warehouse (less than six miles); and Floral Park (less than three miles). Red White & Bloom will also use the Internet to purchase from wholesalers throughout the country who offer a wide variety of flowers throughout the year and can drop ship directly to a retail florist.

Store Design The exterior of a florist shop is estimated to account for the attraction of 35% of all customers. While short term the company will not have a large amount of retail walk-in traffic, Red White & Bloom will still create an inviting storefront, one designed to be distinctive and inviting, including:

• Very simple, modern design with attractive displays
• Spacious interior design with lots of light and accent lighting to illuminate flower designs
• Unobstructed windows to showcase flower arrangement in a “gallery” format, with access to the store from the street
• Clear large glass windows with dramatic lighting and clear branding
• High visibility from the street, as well as visually pleasing at night
• Movable floor and ceiling displays to allow easy and frequent redesign of store
• Clearly priced merchandise
• A variety of pre-designed floral arrangements.

Store Operation Red White & Bloom will be open for operation Monday – Saturday, and closed on Sunday and on major holidays. Hours of operation will be 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, and from noon – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Hours may be extended during the holidays.

Owner Jamie Muir, who has more than 14 years of experience in corporate marketing and has trained as a florist, will create floral arrangements and run the business (manage operations, inventories, marketing and sales). She will engage the services of a part-time delivery person, and, for certain floral-intensive holidays, may employ temporary staffing.

Store Policies The company will invest in customer relationship management software (CRM) and a simple point of sales (POS) system to track sales and collect customer information, including names, address, e-mail address and other pertinent information (pets, flower likes/dislikes, color preferences, allergies, birthday, anniversary). This information will be used with e-mail and direct mail efforts to build custom marketing programs, establish customer loyalty and drive revenue. The company will offer a 24-hour return/exchange policy to build trust with customers and to maintain retention and loyalty.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Working capital, cash sufficient to cover build out costs in the second month, and long-term assets (such as refrigeration units) will make up the majority of the start-up requirements. Start-up expenses, which are detailed in this section, comprise the remaining 12% at $11,600.

Funding As detailed in Sources and Uses of Funds, Red White & Bloom requires $95,000 to soundly begin operations and have suitable cash reserves for a start-up company. Jamie Muir has secured a loan for $45,000, and is seeking additional funding. 

Sources & Uses of Funds The following chart recaps the sources and uses of funds for Red White & Bloom:

2.2 Company Ownership

Red White & Bloom is an S-corporation, and is majority-owned by Jamie Muir.

Products and Services

Red White & Bloom will offer a variety of products and services.

• Original Floral Designs, Using A Wide Mix of Flowers. Each Red White & Bloom floral arrangement will be a natural, original work of art. The company is committed to making each arrangement unique and custom-designed based on each customer’s needs. Red White & Bloom’s floral arrangements will feature a wide range of seasonal flowers. All sample arrangements in the store will be available for purchase.
• Unique Containers. Red White & Bloom will select and offer distinctive vases for the discretionary buyer or for a special occasion, as well as affordable options for routine purchases.
• Green and Flowering House Plants. Red White & Bloom may occasionally offer a selection of seasonal green and flowering house plants.
• Gourmet Chocolates. With consumer’s heightened awareness of chocolate brands and a seeming willingness to pay for a better product, Red White & Bloom will carry several lines of exclusive gourmet chocolate bars, that is, the brands will not be sold by other metro Atlanta retailers. The sale of gourmet chocolate is a perfect complement to flowers, and encourages consumers to indulge and experience something new because they are worth it.
• Paintings and Artwork from Local Artists. To create a gallery environment, the Red White & Bloom store will feature paintings and/or drawings from local artists, and the artwork will be for sale. The company will collect a small percentage of each sale (5%).
• Variety of prices. Red White & Bloom will offer a variety of arrangement sizes, and will always create a unique arrangement to meet anyone’s stated budget.
• Hand-tied Bouquets. For customers who prefer to use their own vases, Red White & Bloom will offer hand-tied bouquets.

Forget-Me-Not Club . Special occasions account for four out of every ten floral purchases made. To capture a portion of this market and to foster overall romance, Red White & Bloom will offer a Frequent Flower Gift Program called the Forget-Me-Not Club designed for men. This program will let each customer register a minimum of six days per year (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries or any day except Valentine’s Day) on which Red White & Bloom will automatically plan to deliver a floral arrangement to his place of work (which must be in Midtown or Downtown Atlanta). A courtesy call will be given or an e-mail sent to each customer 48-hours in advance. To make it as easy as possible for its customers to transport flower arrangements from work to home, Red White & Bloom will develop special packaging to keep containers upright and spillproof. This packaging will be well branded with the company’s logo, and will serve as an additional marketing vehicle once delivered to a customer’s workplace (office building). The customer must agree to the cost of each arrangement (minimum $100), in advance and the service must be guaranteed by a credit card in advance. The credit card will not be charged until the day of each delivery.

Commercial Account Program including :

• Free initial consulting . For retail and office tenants who are interested in a weekly delivery program, Red White & Bloom will conduct an initial free, on-site visit to the customer’s office or store to determine the optimum floral design plan.
• Priority delivery program . Red White & Bloom will work with each commercial customer to determine a weekly delivery schedule, and will assure that arrangements are delivered on the same day each week at the same time.
• Birthday Blooms . Red White & Bloom will offer a free arrangement to each office manager for a commercial account on his or her birthday.
• Referral Program . Red White & Bloom will offer a one-time 25% discount to each commercial customer for every additional commercial referral that becomes a customer.

Castleberry Hill Residential Program . For residents of Castleberry Hill, Red White & Bloom will offer a monthly fresh flower program with free delivery to encourage the habit of keeping fresh flowers in their homes. More frequent delivery options are available, and residents will be given a $5 discount if they pick up the flowers in the store, which will decrease delivery expenses as well as increase exposure to additional buying opportunities. Other special programs for local residents include:

• Forget-Me-Not Club. (As defined above.)
• Narcissus Club . For residents who desire a custom-designed floral plan for their homes, Red White & Bloom offers the upscale Narcissus Club, which includes a free in-home consultation to assess the customer’s home and the recommendation of a floral design plan; a minimum investment of $75 per month; and a minimum of a six-month commitment. The commitment must be guaranteed by a credit card in advance. This service will also be offered as a gift certificate (limited delivery).

Unique-buying experience . As the Castleberry Hill area becomes a destination shopping venue, Red White & Bloom will contribute to the experience by offering a pleasant shopping experience through the gallery-like design of its storefront, and its selection of materials and floral designs.

In-Store Presentations . In the spirit of education and event marketing, Red White & Bloom will offer periodic in-store workshops to attract potential customers. Topics will be seasonal in nature, and will feature guest artists such as regional cuisine, interior design tips from local designers, books signings, jewelry shows, and local artist showings.

Gift Cards . Red White & Bloom will offer $25, $50, $75 and $100 gift certificates, as well as gift cards for the Forget-Me-Not program that would enable women to receive the program as a gift, and then select the characteristics of each scheduled delivery.

Surveys/Comment Cards . Red White & Bloom will use in-store comment cards as well as occasional surveys to ensure products and services are meeting customers’ expectations.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The following section presents a broad range of market information and projections, including:

• Who is the typical floral buyer, and who is the typical floral buyer at Red White & Bloom?
• How and why does he or she purchase flowers?
• What are the prevailing buying patterns in the floral industry?
• What is the size of the Atlanta market that Red White & Bloom plans to target?
• What is the overall buying potential/revenue for Red White & Bloom?
• Who is the competition in the Atlanta market?

4.1 Buying Patterns

Factors that Drive Typical Floral Purchases Holiday purchases traditionally drive the florist industry. The holidays, along with birthdays and anniversaries, are ideal dates for men to select as part of a Frequent Flower Gift Program. For reference, the following chart ranks floral purchases by holiday:

Percent Ranking by Retail Dollars

Source: American Floral Endowment Consumer Tracking Study

Capturing Valentine’s Day Business Valentine’s Day ranks number one in single-day holiday cut flower purchases, capturing 34 percent of transactions and 36 percent of dollar volume. Eighty percent of consumers who buy florals for the romantic holiday purchase cut flowers. According to the International Mass Retailers Association (IMRA), men are more likely to give flowers than women, and men plan to spend $95 on the average, while women plan to spend $60. The average amount spent per household is approximately $94.50, and the trend is an upward one.

To maximize Valentine’s Day revenue with add-on sales, Red White & Bloom will offer special, seasonal gourmet chocolates in addition to the store’s normal gourmet chocolates. Chocolates account for 75% of Valentine’s Day candy sales, which totaled an estimated $1.1 billion in 2002. A survey conducted by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association revealed that 50 percent of women are likely to give a gift of chocolate to a man for Valentine’s Day.

Profile of Traditional Buyers of Floral Arrangements Which households buy fresh cut flowers, how often and how much do they spend? According to the American Floral Endowment Consumer Tracking Study, consumer spending is on the rise. For example, the percentage of U.S. households making at least one fresh cut flower purchase during the year continues to increase. The frequency of consumer flower purchases is also remaining consistent.

• 27.7% of all US Household purchased fresh cut flowers at least once per year.
• The average floral purchase per buying household was 3.7 times.
• The average purchase price per buying household was $62.63.
• The most frequent purchases are women over 35, with incomes in access of $30,000 who live in metropolitan areas with populations greater than 2.5 million.
• Seventy percent of floral buys are planned purchased.

Source: American Floral Endowment Consumer Tracking Study.

4.2 Market Summary

Midtown and Downtown Atlanta Demographics Red White & Bloom will primarily target businessmen who work in highly-paid professions in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. A second market includes businesses in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta that need weekly floral arrangements. The following chart provides an overview of potential prospects (businessmen and companies) within the defined areas.

• Midtown is defined as a one-mile radius from 10th NE at Peachtree.
• Downtown is defined as a four-mile radius from Peachtree and Andrew Young Intl Blvd.

*Represents Finance, Insurance & Real Estate Source: Central Atlanta Progress

To meet its target revenue goals, Red White & Bloom estimates that it needs the following number of clients:

• 2005 : Five commercial accounts (businesses); 50 Frequent Flower Gift Program Members (businessmen).
• 2006 : Eight commercial accounts (businesses); 75 Frequent Flower Gift Program Members (businessmen).
• 2007 : Ten commercial accounts (businesses); 100 Frequent Flower Gift Program Members (businessmen).

Given the combined 6,596 businesses located in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, and the 1,510 ideal business (banks, law firms, securities firms, real estate, insurance companies and hotels), Red White & Bloom believes it has set realistic target levels for commercial accounts. Also, given the 195,149 employees who work in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, with 26,010 identified as ideal prospects and assuming that 50% are men, the company also feels confident about its opportunity to reach its target goal for the Frequent Flower Gift Program.

For example, to reach its goal of five commercial clients in 2005, the company needs to secure .03% of its target company market (1,510), .05% in 2006, and .06% in 2007. To meet its Frequent Flower Gift Program estimates, the company needs to secure .04% of its targeted businessmen (13,005), .06% in 2006, and .08% in 2007.

4.3 Competition

Red White & Bloom plans to differentiate through its Frequent Flower Gift Programs for businessmen, and will treat in-office deliveries to its male clients as an opportunity to establish brand awareness with office managers for potential commercial account business. From preliminary research of the competition, Red White & Bloom has not identified any traditional florist in Atlanta, nor an on-line florist, that is offering a Frequent Flower Gift Program that allows the customer to choose random delivery dates in advance. As a result, the florists listed below are considered competition for commercial accounts: 

Carithers . 1893 Piedmont Road. Carithers is recognized as the leading florist in Atlanta, with three locations (one in town).

Petals: A Florist . 1422 Woodmont Lane NW. Petals offers flowers for delivery, as well as for special events such as weddings. The store uses fresh flowers to create designs with a natural garden feel. It also sells twig baskets and stone-finished containers with longer-lasting greenery and blooming plans, and offers baskets of fruit and gourmet food.

Lilly’s . 1197 Peachtree Street NE – Colony Square. Lilly’s is a full-service florist that serves the Colony Square retail and office clientele, along with the Sheraton Hotel.   

Twelve . 976 Piedmont Avenue – at 10th Street. Located in a former Midtown residence, the store carries unusual flowers and orchids. It also carries jewelry, designer handbags and sunglasses, throw pillows and bath towels.

Fuji Designs . 1157 West Peachtree Street. Fuji Designs is a Japanese-style florist, offering silk and fresh flower arrangements, along with Japanese gifts, jewelry, glassware and handbags.

Stems . 999 Peachtree Street – at 10th Street.  Located in the First Union building, Stems serves commercial clients in the building and is also a full-service floral shop. 

On-line Florists . In addition to traditional florists, floral arrangements can be purchased via the Internet. Such services are offered by Jackson & Perkins (jackson-perkins.com), Calyx & Corolla (calyxandcorolla.com), Hallmark Flowers (hallmark.com), FTD.com, Harry & David (harryanddavid.com), and many others. These companies offer a monthly delivery program; however, customers cannot select custom arrangements (they have to accept the “selection of the month”), nor can they specify a delivery date (they have to choose a “month” and the date of the delivery is determined by the company). Also, when the floral arrangements arrive, they require arranging, and often the finished product may not match the photo that drove the purchase. Deliveries present another challenge if the gift recipient isn’t home. The flowers are either returned to the shipper’s distribution center where they remain in a box, or they are left in the box on a doorstep for an undetermined amount of time. In either situation, the quality of the live, perishable flowers is reduced.   

Given the lack of Frequent Flower Gift Programs by Atlanta florists and on-line florists, Red White & Bloom believes there is a positive opportunity to establish a premium, niche service.

4.4 Target Market Segment Strategy

Buyer Characteristics  

Ideal characteristics of a typical Red White & Bloom customer are: 

Frequent Buyer Program Subscriber

• Male executive
• Works in Midtown or Downtown
• 25-60 years of age
• Married, engaged or in a long-term relationship
• Makes $150,000+
• Quality conscious
• Probably works as a banker, real estate agent, lawyer or financial analyst
• May have a preference for luxury items (cars, clothes, watches, homes, vacations)
• Homeowner, possible multiple home owner
• Has discretionary income

Commercial Accounts Customer Profile

• Primarily female office or store manager
• Professional 25-60 years of age
• Probably works for a law firm, hotel, large retail store, bank, real estate agency, foreign consulate or insurance agency

4.5 Market Projection

Using the target market numbers identified earlier in this section and the Midtown and Downtown Atlanta demographics, Red White & Bloom has made the following assessments regarding market opportunity and revenue potential:

POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR FREQUENT FLOWER GIFT PROGRAM CUSTOMERS: 13,005 Businessmen in Midtown & Downtown Atlanta x $600 (average purchase price [six deliveries per year, $100 per delivery])= $7.7 million of revenue opportunity. POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR WEEKLY COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS CUSTOMERS: 6,596 Businesses in Midtown & Downtown Atlanta x $150 (average cost of an arrangement each week) x 52 weeks per year = $51.4 Million. If we assume (20) competitive florists in this area, that’s still $2.5M in potential revenue per florist. Or, if examined from another perspective, if the company can capture .05% of this potential business, that’s $257,244 in revenue opportunity.

As indicated previously, Red White & Bloom needs five commercial accounts and 50 Frequent Flower Gift Program Members to meet its first year revenue goals, and, given the breadth of the target market, the company believes these targets are reachable.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

According to the first American Express/RoperASW Global Affluent Study (October 2003), about half of high-income consumers around the world would choose to have more time in their lives than more money. Red White & Bloom’s goal is to facilitate this desire by creating marketing messages that emphasize being able to spend more time with love ones by: automating the flower arrangement buying process, fostering romance with the consistent delivery of flowers, and eliminating the worry of ever missing a loved one’s special day. The company’s intention is to gain market share with niche positioning, high quality products and, eventually, a unique shopping experience in an arts gallery district. The following sections review the various strategies that will support this effort.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Red White & Bloom will differ from traditional florists by creating customer intimacy based on personalized relationships that will save its male customers time and reduce anxiety often associated with the gift buying process. The company will achieve this goal by:

• Using technology to make the floral buying experience easy for customers and, at the same time, enable the company to identify and track its customer base.
• Creating a new fresh flower arrangement buying experience for customers – Atlanta’s first floral art gallery.
• Offering exquisite, artistic arrangements.
• Offering additional self-indulging products, including original artwork and gourmet chocolates.
• Building a customer database that identifies contact information as well as preferences (colors, vases, frequency, allergies, pets, children/spouse, birthday, anniversary, etc.).
• Adopting proactive customer service policies, for example, contacting each Frequent Flower Gift Program Member by phone call or e-mail within 48 hours of a scheduled delivery, and calling commercial clients after each delivery to ensure satisfaction.

As part of the definition process, it’s important to outline what Red White & Bloom is not. Unlike traditional florists, the company will not offer:

• FTD or Teleflora wire services. By recreating arrangements defined by another organization, this approach limits creativity.
• Weddings. Floral services for weddings are a specialty area. To remain focused on its Frequent Flower Gift Program objectives, Red White & Bloom may choose to refer potential wedding clients to other Atlanta florists.
• Funerals. Floral services for funerals are a specialty area. To remain focused on its Frequent Flower Gift Program objectives, Red White & Bloom may choose to refer potential funeral clients to other Atlanta florists.
• Balloons or stuffed animals.
• Atlanta-wide delivery services. Red White & Bloom will cater to Midtown and Downtown businesses, residents and workers.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Overall Strategy It’s a widely-held thought that there are not too many florists in this country – there are too many florists who are the same. A florist with a well-defined niche business can thrive. Red White & Bloom’s marketing strategy is to develop a specialized, independent niche business that centers around Frequent Flower Gift Programs and features quality products, custom designs and outstanding personalized customer service.

Marketing Objectives Red White & Bloom needs to establish a reputation as an automatic, easy way to buy flowers and foster romance with loved ones, specifically with affluent men who work in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. A measurable and specific objective includes initiating marketing efforts in the fall of 2004, and having a minimum of 25 male clients in a Frequent Flower Gift Program at the time of the store’s opening in March 2005.

Red White & Bloom needs to establish itself as a creative source for retail and office tenants in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta that need weekly flower arrangements. Measurable and specific objectives are to have five offices signed up for weekly deliveries by the time of the store’s opening.

Red White & Bloom needs to establish brand recognition to attract local shoppers who will eventually visit Castleberry Hill as a destination shopping area. Given the district’s art galleries, a measurable and specific objective includes having a least one local gallery as a client within one month of the store’s opening.

Positioning Red White & Bloom offers an upscale Frequent Flower Gift Program targeted to affluent businessmen, featuring custom, high-quality floral arrangements and personalized service. Additionally, the company plans to create a unique shopping experience with its floral design gallery, which is located in an up-and-coming arts district area.

Marketing Mix As outlined previously in this business plan, Red White & Bloom plans to serve three markets:

• Primary: Businessmen who work in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.
• Secondary: Businesses in the same area.
• Tertiary: Residents of Castleberry Hill.

The company’s marketing efforts will focus on targeting men, and as a by-product of deliveries and promotional giveaway programs, the company plans to secure commercial accounts. Residential clients will stem from word of mouth and visibility of Red White & Bloom to neighborhood pedestrian and automotive traffic. The overall market approach involves creating brand awareness through targeted advertising, public relations and a website; and generating leads through co-marketing efforts with select venues, traditional direct mail/e-mail and events.

Primary Market: Businessmen Who Work in Midtown & Downtown Atlanta

Why should men subscribe to a frequent delivery program from Red White & Bloom?

• To foster romance with regular floral gifts for spouse/significant others.
• To eliminate “forgetting” about birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates.
• To be able to spend more time with loved ones and less time shopping for loved ones.
• Personalized service.
• Easy and convenient.
• Quality flowers and unique floral arrangements.
• One-of-a-kind gourmet chocolate available in addition to flowers.
• Free deliveries.

Other Markets

Why should commercial tenants buy from Red White & Bloom?

• Custom floral plan for each business.
• Frequent delivery program available.
• Free in-office/store consulting service available.
• Gourmet chocolate available as corporate gifts (for delivery).

Why should local residents buy from Red White & Bloom?

• Unique shopping experience.
• In home consulting available.
• Free neighborhood deliveries – discount for pickups.
• GOURMET chocolate.
• Event floral services (parties) available to local residents only.
• Support a local merchant.

Strategy For businessmen who work in Midtown & Downtown Atlanta in select industries, Red White & Bloom will emphasize services (Forget-Me-Not Club) to keep romance and love alive.

• Make giving flowers to loved ones an effortless, automatic process.
• Make the flower buying experience fun and easy.
• Make flowers a habit by encouraging men to take flowers home routinely, not just for special occasions.
• Shift the flower buying responsibility from women to men.

Public Relations While the company will primarily target men with its advertising efforts, it will target women in an effort to educate women about the Frequent Buyer Program, and the women may encourage their spouses/fiancées/significant others to participate.

• Announce the store’s Grand Opening and the availability of services.
• Issue at least one press release per quarter to local newspapers.
• Target Atlanta publications for possible feature stores (one per story per quarter).
• Press List: Around the Rings, Atlanta Downtown, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta Intown & The Studio Arts/Culture, Atlanta Jewish Life, Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Home/Living Sections, Business Section), Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Press, Atlanta Woman, Communities Magazine, Creative Loafing – Atlanta Edition, David Atlanta, Designer’s Handbook, Dixie Living, Hotlanta Buzz, Jezebel Magazine, Northside Newspaper, Peachtree’s Symbol of the South, The Piedmont Review, Post Notes, Southern Changes, Southern Lifestyles, Southern Living, Veranda, Westside Atlanta, Where Atlanta, Zoom.

Advertising The advertising program will explicitly target men.

• Develop a 1/8 page, one-color ad for routine insertions in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the sports page and/or the business page of The Atlanta Journal & Constitution.
• Start ads in the fall of 2004 to build awareness and to generate business (in the form of gift certificates) for Christmas and Hanukkah.

Co-marketing Efforts

• Investigate contacting Peachtree Center Athletic Club, located in Downtown Atlanta, as a possible business partner. Offer free bi-monthly  floral arrangements in exchange for the opportunity to market to club members (which includes businessmen).

Direct Mail/Postcards

• Develop a list of potential clients for routine communications about holiday specials and frequent buyer/gift programs.
• Push users to a website that will enable them to see sample designs, read about the Forget-Me-Not Club, and complete a form to request a free phone consultation.
• Buy/develop an e-mail list for routine communications about holiday specials and frequent buyer programs.
• Push users to a website that will enable them to sign-up for a free phone consultation.

Marketing Materials Develop a consistent look and feel for all corporate collateral, including:

• Comment cards – collect name, addresses, e-mail, plus feedback on services.
• One-page brochure describing Frequent Flower Buyer Programs.
• Stationery – business cards, letterhead, envelopes.
• Gift cards.
• Packaging – develop no-spill packaging to make it easy to transport flowers and use all packaging for branding opportunities for Red White & Bloom logo and website.
• Highlight frequent flower program (for individuals and businesses), enable visitors to schedule a free phone consultation, spotlight the floral design gallery and any local gallery events. Photos will change monthly.

For Commercial Accounts: Identify 20 initial top retail and office prospects, especially new businesses in Centennial Park. Identify the primary buyer at each location, and deliver a free arrangement as a way of introduction.

• Network with store and office managers by researching and joining three key local business groups. 

For Local Residents

• Grand Opening Reception (April 2005).
• Hold Floral Design Gallery Shows in conjunction with other Gallery Openings in the neighborhood.

To keep costs down, events will be promoted using in-store signs (three-month forward-looking Calendar of Events), press releases and the company website.

5.3 Sales Strategy

Direct Sales

Today, over 90% of Americans cite word-of-mouth as one of the best sources of ideas and information. Word-of-mouth is rated as important as advertising or editorial content, and Americans place one-and-a-half times more value on it today than they did 25 years ago. ( Source: RoperASW, 2003 ). Red White & Bloom plans to foster direct sales by offering an exceptional level of personalized service to male executives in order to build loyalty, and ultimately, word-of-mouth referrals to their peers:

• The company will keep a database of customer names, addresses, e-mail addresses and preferences. This information will be used for e-mail and direct mail efforts to build customer loyalty.
• The company will offer a 24-hour return/exchange policy to build trust with our customers and maintain retention and loyalty.

Indirect Sales/Partner Opportunities

With its strategy of not offering special event or funeral arrangements, Red White & Bloom has an opportunity establish a referral service and partner with several key florists who can provide such floral services. The company would collect a flat percentage of each referral sale, with the sum payable at the end of each month.

5.3.1 Sales Forecast

2005 SALES FORECAST ASSUMPTIONS (MARCH 1 OPENING)

The estimates above equate to approximately six deliveries per week for the Frequent Flower Gift Program, and five deliveries per week for Commercial Accounts.  

2006 SALES FORECAST ASSUMPTIONS

The estimates above equate to approximately nine deliveries per week for the Frequent Flower Gift Program, and eight deliveries per week for Commercial Accounts. 

2007 SALES FORECAST ASSUMPTIONS

The estimates above equate to approximately twelve deliveries per week for the Frequent Flower Gift Program, and ten deliveries per week for Commercial Accounts. This sales activity level represents the maximum amount of clients that Red White & Bloom can handle without adding another full-time floral designer and a full-time driver. 

5.4 Milestones

The following table lists important store milestones, with dates, implementation duty, and budgets for each. The milestone schedule emphasizes the timeliness for implementation per the sales and marketing targets listed in the detail in the previous topics.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Owner Jamie Muir brings more than 15 years of marketing and management experience to Red White & Bloom. Her background in the technology and applications software industry includes using the Internet and integrated marketing communications to attract customers and develop brand loyalty. Jamie graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia in 1988 with a degree in Journalism. She has also completed training at the Vermont Academy of Floral Design, and apprenticed at De tuin van Heden, a retail flower shop in Ghent, Belgium. She currently holds a full time job as the public relations manager for a profitable, publicly traded technology company in Atlanta.

6.1 Personnel Plan

Red White & Bloom will not employ any staff members directly. As an owner of the company, Jamie Muir will take quarterly payments in the form of an after-tax draw. Although actual draw may vary with realized sales and profits, we are projecting owner’s draw will steadily increase from the first year to the third year. Other employees, when necessary, will be employed via a local temporary agency. These labor expenses can all be found in the Profit and Loss table, below.

Jamie Muir will oversee financial management, merchandising and operations for Red White & Bloom. Responsibilities will include: selling to commercial accounts; ensuring a profitable sales picture; establishing pricing policies; keeping up-to-date on trends by monitoring trade journals, vendors, sales reps, buying trips, industry meetings and educational programs; preparing and executing marketing programs, including advertising, publicity and lead generation programs (via direct mail and e-mail); establishing partner relationships as needed and designing arrangements.

She will also oversee sales, design and delivery. Responsibilities will include selling to walk-in retail customers; designing arrangements; ordering flowers, plants and greens; purchasing supplies, vases and containers; pricing and selling merchandise and orders for profit; spot checking orders to ensure quality products; knowing social and religious customs of various holidays; and handling complaints.

Delivery Person

The delivery person’s primary tasks will include planning deliveries (right time, right day); loading and unloading products carefully, securing plants and flowers during transportation; repairing, returning and replacing any transit-damaged products; keeping track of deliveries; and performing on-site credit card transactions. This position will be secured through a local employment agency, and will work part-time. Based on projected sales for the first year, a delivery person will be required approximately two hours per day, four days per week in the first year; hours needed will increase proportionally with sales in years two and three.

Characteristics: courteous, knowledgeable, neat and clean. The person should know the Midtown and Downtown areas of Atlanta.

Temporary Help

Red White & Bloom will employ temporary employees via a local staffing agency to assist with sales and customer service prior to Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter/Passover, Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah.

Second Year: Contract Floral Designer As Needed for Holidays & Special Events

The contract floral designer will create arrangements using flowers, floral products and/or plants, working directly with customers regarding price and type of arrangement or following information from an order form. Other tasks include giving estimates on design work; working promptly and profitably, including tracking all materials used in every arrangement for accurate pricing; keeping the design area clean; keeping the cooler clean and rotating flower stock. The designer may assist walk-in customers, operate the cash register, and handle customer concerns and complaints. This position will be a part-time contractor.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

• Contracted Labor and Rent make up over 40% of the operating expenses.
• Red White & Bloom wants to finance growth through cash flow.
• Marketing will remain at or below 6% of sales.
• Company expansion, while not a necessity, will be an option if sales projections are met and/or exceeded.

7.1 Break-even Analysis

For our break-even analysis, we assume running costs which include our full payroll, rent, and utilities, and an estimation of other running costs. The chart shows what we need to sell per month to break even, according to these assumptions.

7.2 Projected Profit and Loss

This business plan assumes an eventual 10% profit and is built using the following allocations of gross revenue:

• 30% labor (including owner’s draw)
• 10% inventory
• 27% overhead
• 23% cost of merchandise

7.3 Projected Cash Flow

The Cash Flow table, below, shows a solid cash balance from day one. Because Red White & Bloom will sell on a cash-basis only, and will stock only slightly more than one month’s inventory at any time, we do not anticipate any problems with cash flow, once we have obtained sufficient start-up funds.

7.4 Projected Balance Sheet

The Balance Sheet, below, shows our projected assets and liabilities for the three years of the plan, including accumulated depreciation of long-term assets.

7.5 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 5992, Florists, are shown for comparison.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

Flower shop business plan template + PDF

This article presents an in-depth Flower shop Business Plan template , perfect for those intending to initiate or enhance their flower shop business. It's important to note that all names and financial figures used in this sample are purely fictional, serving only as illustrative examples. These instances are designed to demonstrate how you can craft your Flower shop Business Plan, customizing it to fit the unique characteristics of your floral business.

For convenient personalization, we offer the "Flower shop Business Plan PDF" for download. This document is an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs dedicated to building a robust, effective strategy for either starting or growing their flower shop. The 'Flower shop Business Plan' acts as an exhaustive roadmap, providing extensive knowledge about the flower shop industry and equipping you with the essential tools for efficient management and expansion of your flower shop enterprise.

How this flower shop business plan sample was created

Create your flower shop's business plan with ease using our AI business plan generator. Simply click on "Generate your flower shop business plan" and respond to a series of simple questions about your business. Our sophisticated AI will process your answers to develop a business plan that's specifically tailored to your shop's needs and objectives. This efficient method typically takes just 5-10 minutes and results in a well-organized, thorough plan. Our system is designed for flexibility, allowing you to make modifications to ensure the plan aligns with your unique vision. After finalizing, the plan is readily available for download, providing you with a clear, detailed guide to kickstart and expand your flower shop venture.

Flower shop business plan sample

Executive summary, business description, market research and analysis.

• Organizational Structure and Management Team

Products or Services

Marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, financial projections, risk analysis.

Floral Fantasy, a dynamic flower shop situated in the heart of our busy city, is in the business of delivering smiles and brightening up days with beautiful, fresh flowers and intricate floral arrangements. We specialize in serving individuals within the age limit of 25-50 who are seeking flowers for personal use, events and special moments. By appealing to this age demographic, we tap into numerous opportunities including weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries, along with special corporate functions.

Floral Fantasy offers diverse products such as fresh flowers, delicately crafted floral arrangements, wedding floral services, along with local and digital flower delivery. To ensure top-tier quality, our team comprises experienced professionals like Jane Doe, our CEO with a vast 15-year experience in the floral industry, and Laura Johnson, our design supervisor who's a Certified Floral Designer.

Legal operation wise, Floral Fantasy upholds a hierarchical structure. Jane Doe serves as the head, followed by our dedicated Shop Manager John Smith, Design Supervisor Laura Johnson, and a hardworking team of florists. Sarah Green, our Administrative Assistant, supports in ensuring smooth operations throughout all levels.

We regard Blossom Bazaar, Petals and Pots, and The Green Thumb as our main competition. While they inspire us to push boundaries, our unique point of differentiation lies in our attractive, handcrafted floral designs that are not only high-quality but also affordably priced.

We have integrated a diverse marketing and sales strategy, leveraging digital marketing, including social media advertising, email newsletters, and local community events. Our approach allows sales to be conducted in-store, through our pristine online platform, and via our reliable local delivery service.

Our operations plan is meticulously structured, with operations running from Monday through Saturday, from 8 AM to 8 PM. We source fresh flowers from local farms, delivering floral-quality at its finest within our reach to our shop at 123 Rose Avenue, where we cater to orders and undertake deliveries effectively.

Financially, we project exciting growth over the next 3-5 years, expecting to increase our revenue by 15% annually. By the 5th year, our goal is to attain around $500,000 in revenue, driven by exploring new opportunities, delivering superior service, and strengthening our customer base.

Risk management is embedded into our operations with contingency plans mapped out for natural disasters, supplier unavailability, demand market decline, and digital competition. To confront these, we have set up insurance coverage, ensured regular interaction with our diversified network of suppliers, and consistently boosted our shop's appeal through promotional efforts. Furthermore, an agile digital strategy has been implemented to cope with the growing e-commerce wave.

As we flourish in shaping an enchanting floral landscape, Floral Fantasy will continue to inspire and uplift our community one flower at a time. We believe that every bloom is an opportunity to enhance an individual's day and foster connections, thus we commit to delivering this magical experience consistently.

The go-to place for all your floral needs, 'Floral Fantasy' is a budding flower shop located in the heart of our vibrant city. A beacon of freshness and elegance amidst the hustle and bustle, Floral Fantasy aims to add color and beauty to individual and collective experiences through its extensive range of floral offerings.

Operating within the diverse and dynamic industry of floristry, Floral Fantasy prides itself on offering a bouquet of services catering to various occasions and demands. The industry is a flourishing one—budding with opportunities for businesses that offer high-quality, unique, and personalized floral services and products.

Born out of a passion for nature's most delicate and delightful creations—flowers—Floral Fantasy was established by a group of florists and entrepreneurs dedicated to bringing their fondness for floral aesthetics to the world. They envisioned an intimate shop where individuals cannot just purchase high-quality flowers, but truly experience the charm of bespoke floral designs.

The mission of Floral Fantasy is to enhance experiences and spaces with nature's beauty—ethically sourced and artistically arranged. United by a shared appreciation of delicate aesthetics, our team strives to bring joy to each customer, one flower at a time.

Floral Fantasy operates under a sole proprietorship, under owner Jane Doe. Jane holds more than a decade of experience in the floristry and brings a wealth of knowledge, a network of reliable suppliers, and a keen eye for upcoming trends to the business. Under her tutelage, Floral Fantasy has adopted ethics, beauty, quality, and customer satisfaction as its core business tenets.

The floral industry promises an exciting future, budding with growth opportunities and increasing mainstream acceptance as a delicacy and a form of expression. By capitalising on upcoming trends, including the preference for unique, personalized bouquets, increased interest in houseplants, and the steady demand for wedding florals, Floral Fantasy sees significant potential for long-term business success.

Our business strategy focuses on achieving a steady growth trajectory while ensuring the highest quality of products and services to our customers. Leveraging the creative talents and industry expertise of our team, we aim to position Floral Fantasy as a credible, reliable, and innovative player in the local floral market, with an eye on future expansion into the online sphere. Come, experience, and partake in our vibrant floral fantasy.

The floral industry is a vibrant and thriving market, with specializations in various segments - Retail Florists, Wholesale Florists, and Florists providing online services. The global flower market size was valued at USD 104.8 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach a CAGR of 6.3% from 2018 to 2023.

Our market research teams have identified a growing trend for green and fresh products and a shift from generic gifts to unique floral arrangements. This presents an opportunity for 'Floral Fantasy' to carve out a niche by providing high-quality, diverse, and meticulously crafted floral designs.

On our target demographics, we intend to cater to individuals aged between 25-50 years. A sector that appreciates the beauty and sentiment of flowers and can afford the luxury of fresh, custom floral arrangements. Additionally, we see potential for growth in wedding and corporate event services. To further optimize this opportunity, we would provide tailor-made solutions to this demographic ensuring we meet their individual and corporate needs.

Market needs and demands have dramatically changed over time with preference for personalized and unique floral designs. Therefore, it is important for us to continually innovate and uniquely cater to these differentiated demands to maintain a competitive edge. Trends suggest consumers are inclined towards seasonal flowers and eco-friendly products and practices. 'Floral Fantasy' plans to incorporate these preferences into offerings and operational practices, setting us apart in our market niche.

In competitor analysis, our main rivals are "Blossom Bazaar", "Petals and Pots", and "The Green Thumb" . They are established businesses with a significant market share, thus providing stiff competition. However, we believe, with our unique offerings and customer-centric approach, we can tip the scale in our favor.

Blossom Bazaar's key strength lies in their extensive variety, but they falter in consistency in quality. Petals and Pots have sterling customer service, but their higher pricing is a deterrent for many potential customers. The Green Thumb’s strength is in their marketing strategy. However, they lack in providing personalized solutions, offering only generic floral solutions. While acknowledging these companies' strengths, 'Floral Fantasy' also plans strategies capitalizing on their weaknesses.

Getting into the floral industry does have its hurdles. The start-up cost for opening a florist is comparatively high, and preserving perishable inventory presents significant challenges. Moreover, established companies already have economies of scale, making it difficult for new entrants to compete on price. However, by carving a niche for personalized floral solutions, we expect to create an unparalleled value proposition that transcends these barriers and appeal to our targeted demographic.

In conclusion, through astute planning, innovation, exceptional customer service, and operation optimization, 'Floral Fantasy' aims to position itself as a leader in the floral industry. Our strategy gravitates towards understanding, meeting, and exceeding customer expectations, while leveraging market trends and competitor analysis to gain a competitive edge. 'Floral Fantasy' is set to revolutionize the floral industry experience, one flower at a time.

Organizational Structure and Management

The Organizational Structure of Floral Fantasy is traditional hierarchical, led by our Founder & CEO, Jane Doe. With more than 15 years of experience in the floral industry, she brings unmatched expertise and a vision for innovation to the company. Below her is John Smith, Operations Manager, who handles the daily operations of the shop and supervises the florist team. He comes with 10 years of experience in managing a garden center and a diploma in Horticulture.

The creative department is managed by Laura Johnson, our Head Florist, a Certified Floral Designer with over 12 years of experience in designing stunning floral arrangements. Jane Foster, our Marketing Manager, manages marketing endeavors with her BA in Marketing and 8 years of experience in social media marketing. The Financial Management department is headed by Tom Hughes, a CFA holder with 6 years of experience managing the financial needs of retail businesses.

Our staffing needs currently comprise the management team and an additional team of 7 skilled florists. Over time, as we plan to expand our services and monitor the increase in demand, we will recruit more florists and delivery personnel accordingly.

Human resource policies at Floral Fantasy are centered on maintaining a positive work environment and promoting a culture of respect and equality. The policies include fair recruitment and selection, training and development, employee benefits, health and safety procedures, and mechanisms for resolving internal conflicts. Regular team-building activities and staff appreciation events will further ensure a motivated and satisfied workforce.

We are aided by an esteemed panel of external advisors, including a business growth strategist and financial advisor, who provide us with valuable industry insights and actionable strategies. Additionally, we plan to engage the services of professional marketing and legal consultants as required to ensure our strategies are effective and compliant with regulations.

Overall, our management team, with its diverse and comprehensive experience, is well-positioned to navigate the needs of a budding flower shop. Together with our valued staff, we strive to not only meet but exceed our customers' expectations and thrive in this competitive market. Equipped with robust human resources policies and the advice of external experts, we look forward to making Floral Fantasy a household name in the floral industry.

Floral Fantasy is a leading supplier and retailer of exquisite floral arrangements. We stock a wide range of fresh flowers appropriate for various occasions. Our team of florists specializes in crafting unique bouquets and floral designs, catering to the individual needs of our customers. Our versatile offerings also extend to the provision of wedding floral services. We understand the importance of this big day and stand ready to materialize the vision of each bride through our custom floral design and arrangements.

The unique selling points of Floral Fantasy revolve around the quality, diversity, and affordability of our offerings. We maintain a wide variety of flowers to suit different consumer preferences and the unique needs of specific events - ranging from somber funerals to lively weddings. Our emphasis on freshness and quality distinguishes us from the competition as we source our flowers from reliable and responsible growers.

Currently, Floral Fantasy operates a successful brick-and-mortar location, seeing consistent in-store traffic and sales. However, we aim to expand our services to reach a wider demographic by launching an online platform. This platform will provide our customers the convenience of browsing and ordering our products from the comfort of their homes. Future plans also include offering city-wide delivery, ensuring our beautiful arrangements can reach even those unable to visit our store.

Floral Fantasy has taken exhaustive steps to protect our intellectual property. Our business name and logo have been registered trademarks. However, as our product offerings chiefly consist of nature’s creations artfully arranged by our team, there is limited scope for patenting.

The production process at Floral Fantasy starts with sourcing fresh blooms from trusted local suppliers. Our experienced florists then carefully sort and trim the flowers, ensuring only the highest quality ones become part of our arrangements. Through a careful design process that blends artistry with the customers' requirements, the flowers are arranged into stunning bouquets or complex arrangements.

Our suppliers are local farmers that adhere to responsible and sustainable farming practices. We have meticulously vetted each supplier and have built strong relationships over time, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh, high-quality flowers. Maintaining these relationships and supporting local companies reflect our commitment to sustainable practices and the local economy.

In summary, Floral Fantasy is your go-to solution for high-quality floral products, with an array of services designed to satisfy any flower-related needs. With our expansion plans and commitment to quality, we are eagerly looking forward to enriching our community with blooming smiles for many years to come.

Marketing Plan

In order to bring in a consistent customer base and boost sales, an aggressive and comprehensive marketing strategy will be implemented. The backbone of this strategy is introducing Floral Fantasy to the area and differentiating ourselves from the competition.

Our primary marketing tactics will revolve around online and local advertising. Floral arrangement being a visually oriented product, we will focus on online platforms that excel in showcasing images, like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Here, we will post high-quality, striking pictures of our arrangements and announce upcoming promotions. This should attract those individuals in our target demographic who frequently use these platforms.

Additionally, we will leverage email newsletters to keep our customers updated on new products, services, and promotions. This will serve as a channel for direct communication with our customer base. We also intend to use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase the visibility of our website on search engines.

Locally, we will promote Floral Fantasy by attending local events, farmers markets, and business events. Networking personally with people in our community will help to build relationships and increase the visibility of our brand.

Sales Strategy

Our sales strategy includes a blend of in-store sales and online sales. Our sales team will be responsible for managing customer interactions in-store, advising on suitable offerings and upselling where appropriate. They will be trained to offer exceptional customer service, aiming to not only meet, but exceed customer expectations.

The online platform of Floral Fantasy will extend our reach to those who cannot come to our store. It will also serve those who prefer the convenience of shopping online. All transactions on our website will be secure and user-friendly. We aim to incorporate features such as personalized suggestions based on browsing history to boost online sales.

Pricing Strategy

Our pricing strategy will follow a value-based pricing model. We aim to offer premium quality products at reasonable prices. This approach will allow us to set competitive prices that underline the quality we offer without alienating potential customers who are cost-conscious.

Distribution Channels

Floral Fantasy’s primary distribution channel will be our physical store located at 123 Rose Avenue. Customers can walk in and buy bouquets, place orders for custom designs, or discuss flower arrangements for events. To reach a broader customer base, we will also distribute our products online, offering convenient home delivery options.

Promotion and Advertising Plans

Aside from our marketing plan discussed above, we will regularly host seasonal sales and offer discounts on special occasions throughout the year. We plan to run a loyalty program where regular customers can earn points with every purchase, which can be redeemed later.

Customer Service Policies

Customer satisfaction lies at the heart of our business. We are committed to provide high-quality products, reliable delivery, and exceptional service. Our customer service policies include a swift response to client inquiries, handling and resolution of complaints within 48 hours, and full refunds or replacements for faulty products. We believe that by ensuring a positive customer experience at every touchpoint, we will encourage repeat business and foster customer loyalty.

The Operations Plan of Floral Fantasy involves a detailed approach to managing our workflow, production, quality control, inventory, supply chain, and facilities. Here's how we plan to administer these:

Operational Workflow

Our business operates six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, between 8 AM and 8 PM. We begin the day by receiving daily fresh flower supplies from our local farmers. The received stock is then sorted, cleaned, and prepped for display or use in floral arrangements. Our design team works on custom orders throughout the day while also maintaining a beautiful display of ready-to-sell arrangements in-store. The shop manager, John Smith, handles all managerial duties, including ordering supplies, coordinating with delivery personnel, and managing sales and support staff.

Production and Service Delivery

Our florists craft each design meticulously, considering our clients' preferences and the event at hand. Orders received in-store or through our online platform are promptly processed. Packaging is done with utmost care to maintain the aesthetics and freshness of our products. We aim to deliver the same-day for local orders received before our 1 PM cut-off time. Our dedicated in-house delivery team ensures timely and safe deliveries.

Quality Control Measures

Maintaining top-quality in all that we deliver is our key principle. We source flowers from trusted local farmers, ensuring their freshness and quality. Our design team, under the astute guidance of Laura Johnson, ensures the creation of pleasing and high-standard floral arrangements. We facilitate regular trainings for our team to keep them updated on new trends and techniques in the floral industry. Every arrangement is assessed before delivery or display in our store to ensure it meets our stringent quality checks.

Inventory Management

Flowers being perishable goods, proper inventory management is critical to avoid waste and loss. We use an inventory management system that tracks our stock levels, helping us order the right amount of supplies at the right time. We follow the FEFO (First Expire, First Out) principle for managing our inventory, ensuring that the oldest stock is sold first. This system helps us keep wastage at a minimum and maintain the freshness of our offerings.

Supply Chain Management

We have strong relations with our local suppliers, who provide us with fresh flowers daily. We also partner with other suppliers for the non-perishable items like packaging materials, vases, ribbons etc. Regular communication and good relationships with them aid in the smooth functioning of our operations.

Facilities and Equipment Needs

Our shop at 123 Rose Avenue is a welcoming space designed to display our flowers and arrangements beautifully. It is equipped with proper storage facilities to keep flowers fresh. This includes aural coolers that maintain optimum humidity levels to extend the flowers' life. In addition, we have necessary designing tools for our florists to craft the pieces. For delivery, we have a fleet of vehicles equipped with temperature-controlled systems.

By efficiently managing our operations, we aim to provide high-quality products, ensure customer satisfaction, and in turn, achieve our business goals.

Sales Forecast:

For the first year, we are projecting to generate $100,000 in revenue, assuming conservative growth. By the second year, we anticipate a 15% growth rate, amounting to about $115,000 in revenue. By the fifth year, we predict our annual revenue to reach $500,000, following a steady increase in our customer base, and expansion of our digital services.

Profit and Loss Projection:

We expect to reach profitability by the end of the first year, with a net income estimated at $20,000, assuming an average 20% profit margin. This will result from implementing cost-saving measures and increasing the sale of high margin products. Over time, we expect this margin to improve given the economies of scale associated with expanded operations.

Cash Flow Projection:

Our initial cash flows will be invested in inventory, marketing, and staffing. Once operational, we expect to generate positive cash flows. Any additional cash would be reinvested into the company to finance growth strategies and enhance our financial stability.

Balance Sheet Projection:

For the first year, the majority of our assets will be tied up in inventory. However, as the business grows, we expect to see an increase in accounts receivable through our online sales platform. Our financial position will strengthen over time as we steadily amass retained earnings.

Break-even Analysis:

Our break-even analysis suggests that we would need to sell an average of 35-40 floral arrangements per week to cover our expenses. However, this doesn't consider online sales, which will likely increase the sales volume.

Financial Assumptions and Considerations:

Our financial projections assume that there will be a steady demand for our products throughout the year, with notable increases during holidays and wedding seasons. It considers the overall growth of the floral market. However, unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters or financial downturns could impact these projections. Thus, a contingency plan has been built into our financial strategy to safeguard our business.

Risk Identification:

Floral Fantasy might encounter various risks in the course of its operations. These can be categorized into market risks, operational risks, and financial risks.

• Market Risk: There's a constant risk of a decrease in demand, changes in customer behavior, or a new competitor entering the market disrupting our potential sales.
• Operational Risk: Adverse weather conditions can affect the supply of fresh flowers from local farms, leading to a shortage of stock. Also, given the perishable nature of our products, improper storage or handling can lead to spoilage and wastage.
• Financial Risk: As a newly established business, there may be unexpected costs or longer-than-anticipated periods of negative cash flow. This could impact our financial stability.

Risk Mitigation Strategies:

• For market risks, we will keep a close eye on market trends, consumer behavior, and emerging competitors. This will help us to stay in line with customer preferences and meet their expectations.
• To mitigate operation risks, we will maintain alliances with multiple suppliers providing us with a backup in case of any disruption. Additionally, our team will be provided with necessary training regarding the proper handling and storage of our products.
• For financial risks, we will keep tight control over our expenses, maintain a healthy cash reserve, and ensure we have access to lines of credit for addressing unpredicted expenses.

Contingency Plan:

The contingency plan includes stepping up our marketing efforts in case of a sudden drop in demand, utilizing backup suppliers in case of disruptions, and securing additional financing in case of a financial crisis.

Insurance and Legal Considerations:

We will maintain insurance coverage adequate to cover our business risks, including property insurance, liability insurance, and workers' compensation insurance. This will help us manage any unforeseen expenses related to disasters, accidents, or legal actions. Legally, we will ensure to comply with all local and national laws applicable to our type of business.

Financially, our risk management approach involves maintaining a robust financial cushion, constantly analyzing financial health, and ensuring timely invoice processing and debt collection. We have in place financial advisors to guide us through the process of risk assessment and mitigation.

In conclusion, while risk is an inherent part of any business, Floral Fantasy is thoroughly prepared with strategies and plans to identify, assess, and respond effectively to any potential risks. This will not only safeguard our business interests but also help us keep our promise of delivering quality floral arrangement services to our customers.

More business plan templates

Bookstore business plan

Tattoo shop business plan

Ice cream shop business plan

Item added to your cart

Here is a free business plan sample for a florist shop.

Have you been nurturing the idea of opening your own florist shop but feel overwhelmed about where to start?

In the following paragraphs, we will present to you a comprehensive business plan sample tailored for a florist business.

As you may already be aware, a detailed business plan is crucial for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the establishment and growth of your business, outlining your objectives, and detailing the strategies you will employ to achieve them.

To streamline the process and help you bloom into a successful florist entrepreneur, you can utilize our florist business plan template. Our team is also on standby to provide a free review and offer suggestions for improvement.

How to draft a great business plan for your florist shop?

A good business plan for a florist must cater to the unique aspects of the floral industry.

Initially, it's important to provide a comprehensive overview of the market. This includes up-to-date statistics and identifying emerging trends within the floral sector, similar to what we've outlined in our florist business plan template .

Your business plan should articulate your vision clearly. Define your target market (such as local residents, event planners, corporations, or wedding clients) and establish your florist shop's distinctive appeal (eco-friendly, exotic flowers, local sourcing, etc.).

Market analysis is the next critical component. This requires a thorough understanding of local competitors, market tendencies, and consumer preferences specific to the floral industry.

For a florist, it's imperative to detail the range of products you intend to offer. Describe your selection of flowers, arrangements, related gifts, and additional services, and explain how these cater to the desires and needs of your clientele.

The operational plan is equally vital. It should outline the location of your florist shop, the design of the retail space, supplier relationships for fresh flowers and materials, and the logistics of bouquet assembly and delivery.

As a florist, highlighting the quality and source of your flowers, arrangement artistry, and care in handling and delivery is crucial.

Then, delve into your marketing and sales strategy. How do you plan to attract and keep customers? Discuss promotional tactics, customer loyalty programs, and potential supplementary services (like floral workshops or corporate accounts).

Incorporating digital strategies, such as an e-commerce website or social media engagement, is also critical in the modern marketplace.

The financial framework is another fundamental section. This should encompass the initial investment, sales projections, ongoing expenses, and the point at which the business will break even.

In the floral industry, certain products may have slim margins, so precise planning and a solid grasp of your financials are essential. For assistance, consider using our financial forecast for a florist .

Compared to other business plans, a florist's plan must pay particular attention to the perishability of inventory, the seasonality of flower availability, and the timing of peak demand periods such as holidays and wedding seasons.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you define your vision and strategies but also attract investors or secure loans.

Investors and lenders are looking for comprehensive market analysis, realistic financial projections, and a clear plan for day-to-day operations of a florist shop.

By presenting a thorough and substantiated plan, you showcase your dedication and preparedness for the success of your florist business.

To achieve these goals while saving time, you can simply fill out our florist business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a florist shop

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a florist .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The floristry industry is a vibrant and evolving market with significant economic presence.

As of recent estimates, the global flower and ornamental plant market reached a value of over 50 billion dollars. This market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by the increasing demand for fresh flowers, ornamental plants, and related services.

In the United States alone, there are over 30,000 florist businesses, contributing to an annual revenue of approximately 5 billion dollars for the industry.

These statistics underscore the integral role that florists play in American social and cultural events, as well as their substantial contribution to the economy.

The floristry industry is experiencing a wave of trends that reflect changing consumer preferences and societal values.

Eco-friendly and sustainable practices are becoming more prevalent, with customers showing a preference for locally sourced and organically grown flowers. This shift is leading to an increase in the use of biodegradable packaging and a reduction in the carbon footprint associated with flower transportation.

Personalization is another growing trend, as customers seek unique and customized floral arrangements for events and personal gifting.

Technology is also making its mark, with online flower delivery services expanding rapidly, offering convenience and a broad range of options for consumers.

Moreover, the use of social media for marketing has enabled florists to showcase their designs and reach a wider audience, while also providing inspiration for customers.

These trends highlight the dynamic nature of the floristry industry and its adaptation to the evolving demands of modern consumers.

Success Factors

Several factors contribute to the success of a florist business.

Foremost, the quality and freshness of flowers are paramount. Florists who provide vibrant, long-lasting blooms are more likely to develop a dedicated clientele.

Innovation in floral design, including the use of non-traditional plants and materials, can distinguish a florist in a crowded marketplace.

The location of the florist shop is also critical, as high-traffic areas can lead to increased visibility and sales.

Exceptional customer service is essential for building relationships and encouraging repeat business. Personal touches, such as remembering customer preferences and offering tailored advice, can make a significant difference.

Lastly, effective cost control, embracing sustainable practices, and the ability to adapt to industry trends, such as the rise of online ordering and delivery services, are crucial for the longevity and prosperity of a florist business.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our boutique florist shop project is designed to cater to the sophisticated tastes of customers seeking premium floral arrangements and related services. Ideally situated in a bustling urban area or within a high-end shopping district, our florist shop will offer a diverse selection of fresh-cut flowers, exotic plants, and bespoke bouquet services, all crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.

We will emphasize the quality, beauty, and artistry of our floral arrangements to provide an unparalleled aesthetic experience.

Our florist shop aims to become a distinguished establishment known for its unique floral designs, contributing to the enhancement of our customers' special moments and everyday life.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our boutique florist shop project is centered around providing exquisite and artfully designed floral arrangements that cater to the discerning tastes of our customers.

Our dedication to quality, beauty, and personalized service offers a superior experience for those looking to express their emotions through the timeless gift of flowers.

We are committed to fostering an atmosphere of elegance and charm where customers can find the perfect expression for any occasion, and we aim to educate our customers about the language of flowers and the importance of sustainable floristry practices.

Our florist shop aspires to be a cornerstone in the community, offering a luxurious alternative to conventional flower shops and enhancing the lives of our customers through the beauty of flowers.

Project Owner

The project owner is a floral designer and entrepreneur with a profound appreciation for the art of floristry.

With a background in design and horticulture, as well as experience in luxury retail, they are poised to create a florist shop that stands out for its artistic flair, exceptional customer service, and commitment to sustainability.

Driven by a vision of beauty and a passion for floral art, they are determined to provide stunning arrangements that capture the essence of both modern trends and timeless elegance, all while contributing to the well-being of the environment and the local community.

Their dedication to excellence and their love for flowers are the heart of this project, aiming to bring joy and beauty to customers' lives through the power of sophisticated floral design.

The Market Study

Market segments.

The market segments for this specialized florist shop are divided into several categories.

First, there are individual customers who seek fresh flowers for personal occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or as a means to express emotions like love, sympathy, or congratulations.

Next, there are event planners and wedding coordinators who require floral arrangements for creating memorable and aesthetically pleasing events.

The market also includes corporate clients who need floral decorations for their offices, events, or as corporate gifts to employees and clients.

Finally, online shoppers represent a growing segment, as they look for the convenience of ordering flowers and gifts for delivery directly to recipients.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of this florist shop project reveals several aspects.

Strengths include a deep knowledge of floral design, a commitment to customer service, and the ability to source a wide variety of fresh flowers.

Weaknesses could include the perishable nature of inventory and the challenge of maintaining flower freshness during delivery.

Opportunities lie in leveraging social media and online marketing to reach a broader audience, as well as in offering floral subscription services or workshops.

Finally, threats could include competition from supermarkets and online flower delivery services, as well as economic downturns affecting discretionary spending.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis in the florist industry reveals a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar flower shops, online flower delivery services, and supermarkets with floral departments.

These competitors vie for customers by offering convenience, price points, and a range of floral products.

Potential competitive advantages include superior floral arrangement design, personalized customer service, unique and exotic flower offerings, and a strong local brand presence.

Understanding competitors' strengths and weaknesses is crucial for carving out a niche in the market and for customer loyalty building.

Competitive Advantages

Our dedication to the artistry of floral arrangements sets us apart in the florist industry.

We offer a curated selection of high-quality flowers and plants, coupled with bespoke design services to cater to our customers' unique preferences and occasions.

Our focus on customer experience ensures that each interaction is personal and memorable, fostering a loyal customer base.

We also prioritize sustainability by sourcing locally grown flowers where possible and implementing eco-friendly practices in our operations.

You can also read our articles about: - how to open a florist shop: a complete guide - the customer segments of a florist shop - the competition study for a florist shop

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the boutique florist shop is designed to bloom beautifully and sustainably.

In the first year, we will concentrate on cultivating a loyal local clientele, emphasizing exceptional customer service, and creating a strong brand identity.

The second year will be focused on expanding our reach by establishing an online store and considering pop-up shops in high-footfall locations to increase visibility.

In the third year, we aim to diversify our offerings with a wider range of flowers and related products, and to form partnerships with event planners and corporate clients for steady growth.

Throughout this period, we will remain dedicated to the artistry of floral design, the freshness of our products, and the personal touch that sets us apart in the marketplace.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our florist shop targets customers seeking premium floral arrangements, gifts, and decor for various occasions.

Our value proposition lies in providing artistically crafted bouquets, exceptional customer experiences, and personalized services for events and special occasions.

We will sell our floral products through our physical shopfront and an online platform, utilizing our key resources such as skilled florists, a well-curated supply of fresh flowers, and a strong supply chain.

Key activities include floral design, customer service, and maintaining strong supplier relationships.

Our revenue streams will flow from the sales of floral arrangements, related gift items, and event decoration services, while our costs will be mainly associated with purchasing flowers, marketing, and maintaining our storefront.

Discover a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is rooted in visual appeal and emotional connection.

We plan to showcase the beauty and quality of our arrangements through social media platforms, collaborations with influencers, and community events.

We will also offer floral arrangement workshops to engage with customers and create a community around our brand.

Partnerships with wedding planners, event coordinators, and local businesses will help us reach new customer segments.

Our promotional efforts will be complemented by a loyalty program and seasonal campaigns to keep our brand top-of-mind for all floral needs.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our florist shop is designed to mitigate risks associated with perishable goods, supply chain management, and market fluctuations.

We will implement strict inventory controls to ensure the freshness of our flowers and minimize waste.

Building strong relationships with a diverse group of suppliers will help us manage supply risks and ensure a consistent quality of products.

Prudent financial management and a flexible business model will allow us to adapt to changing market demands and economic conditions.

We will also secure insurance to protect against business interruptions and liability claims, ensuring that we can continue to delight our customers with minimal disruption.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are passionate about bringing the joy of flowers to people's lives and believe that our boutique florist shop will flourish in the hearts of our community.

With a focus on quality, creativity, and customer experience, we are poised to stand out in the floral industry.

We are excited to nurture our business and watch it grow, contributing to the happiness and well-being of our customers.

We are adaptable and ready to evolve our strategies to ensure the success and vibrancy of our florist shop.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a florist shop - the marketing strategy for a florist shop

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a florist and our financial plan for a florist .

Initial expenses for our florist shop include the cost of leasing a retail space, purchasing refrigeration units to keep flowers fresh, acquiring initial inventory of flowers and plants, designing and setting up the shop layout, and investing in marketing to attract customers to our new business. We will also need to consider the cost of obtaining any necessary licenses and insurance, as well as funds for staff training to ensure excellent customer service and knowledge about our floral products.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough analysis of the local market demand for floral products, taking into account factors such as seasonal events, weddings, funerals, and the general trend towards home and office beautification.

We expect sales to grow steadily as our florist shop becomes known in the community for its quality, variety, and creative floral arrangements.

The projected income statement reflects anticipated revenues from the sale of floral products and related services, the cost of goods sold (including flowers, supplies, and labor), and operating expenses (rent, marketing, salaries, utilities, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit that is essential for assessing the long-term viability of our florist business.

The projected balance sheet will display assets such as our inventory of flowers, leasehold improvements, and equipment, against liabilities including any loans and accounts payable.

It will provide a snapshot of the financial condition of our florist shop at the end of each fiscal period.

Our projected cash flow statement will detail the inflows from sales and outflows for expenses, giving us a clear picture of our financial position and helping us manage our cash to ensure we can meet our financial obligations at all times.

The projected financing plan outlines the sources of funding we intend to tap into to cover our initial setup costs and to support the business until it becomes self-sustaining.

The working capital requirement for our florist shop will be carefully managed to maintain sufficient liquidity for day-to-day operations, such as purchasing fresh flowers, maintaining inventory levels, and covering payroll.

The break-even analysis will show us the volume of sales we need to achieve to cover all our costs and begin generating a profit.

This will be a critical milestone for our business, indicating when it can be considered successful.

Key performance indicators for our florist shop will include the gross margin on floral arrangements, the inventory turnover rate to measure the efficiency of our stock management, and the customer satisfaction level to gauge the quality of our service and products.

Monitoring these indicators will help us ensure the financial health and success of our florist shop.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a florist shop .

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

How To Write a Business Plan for Flower Shop in 9 Steps: Checklist

By henry sheykin, resources on flower shop.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a flower shop! If you've been dreaming of starting your own floral business and want to make it a reality, then you're in the right place. The floral industry has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, with a market size of over $34 billion in 2020, and is projected to continue to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028. Now is the perfect time to seize the opportunity and create your own online flower shop.

Before diving into the steps of creating a business plan, it's crucial to understand the market you'll be entering. Identifying your target market will help you tailor your offerings and marketing strategies to appeal to the right customers. Conducting thorough market research will provide valuable insights into consumer preferences, trends, and demands.

When starting any business, it's essential to be aware of the competition. Analyzing your competitors will help you identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to differentiate your flower shop. By determining your unique selling proposition, you'll be able to offer something that stands out from the crowd and attracts customers.

Setting clear business goals and objectives will provide a roadmap for your flower shop's success. Consider both short-term and long-term goals, such as achieving a certain revenue target within the first year or expanding your product offerings in the future. These goals will guide all your actions and decision-making processes.

Financial planning is a critical aspect of any business. Create a budget that accounts for expenses such as inventory, marketing, website development, and employee salaries. Securing financing, whether through personal savings, loans, or investors, is often necessary to cover initial costs.

Pricing your floral arrangements properly is crucial to ensure profitability while remaining competitive. Analyze your costs, overheads, and market prices to develop a pricing strategy that reflects the value you offer while appealing to your target market.

As an online flower shop, you'll need reliable suppliers to provide you with fresh, high-quality blooms. Identifying potential suppliers and establishing relationships with them is essential. Look for small batch growers across the country who offer fresh, seasonal blooms that align with your farm-to-accent approach.

Last but not least, make sure you familiarize yourself with any legal and regulatory requirements related to running a flower shop. This may include permits, licenses, zoning regulations, and compliance with health and safety standards. Taking care of these legal aspects will ensure smooth operations and avoid any legal complications down the line.

By following these steps and crafting a detailed business plan, you'll be well on your way to launching a successful online flower shop. So get ready to celebrate beauty and bring joy into people's lives with fresh, farm-to-accent floral arrangements!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice. Consult with a business advisor or attorney for specific recommendations tailored to your unique business and location.

Identify Your Target Market

Before starting a flower shop business, it is crucial to identify your target market. Understanding your potential customers and their preferences will help you tailor your products and marketing efforts to attract and retain them. Here are some important steps to identify your target market:

• Research demographics: Begin by researching the demographics of your local area. Consider factors such as age, gender, income level, and lifestyle. This information will help you determine the type of customers who are more likely to be interested in your farm-to-accent floral arrangements.
• Identify customer needs and preferences: Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gain insights into what potential customers look for in a flower shop. Understand their preferences for flower types, colors, arrangements, and pricing.
• Analyze existing customer data: If you already have an existing customer base, analyze their purchasing behavior, preferences, and feedback. This data can provide valuable information about who your target market may be.
• Consider seasonal trends: Flowers are often associated with special occasions or holidays. Analyze the seasonal trends and identify peak periods when your products are likely to be in high demand.

Tips for Identifying Your Target Market:

• Utilize free online tools like Google Analytics or social media insights to gather data on your target audience.
• Stay updated with industry trends and changes in consumer preferences to refine your target market strategy over time.
• Consider conducting market research surveys or focus groups to gather direct feedback from potential customers.

Identifying your target market is the first step towards developing a successful business plan for your flower shop. By understanding who your customers are and what they desire, you can tailor your offerings to meet their needs and increase the likelihood of building a loyal customer base.

Conduct Market Research

Once you have identified your target market for your flower shop, it's important to conduct thorough market research to gain valuable insights into the industry and competition. This will help you make informed decisions and develop effective strategies for your business.

When conducting market research, start by gathering information on the current floral industry trends, customer preferences, and purchasing habits. This can be done through surveys, interviews, or analyzing existing data available from market research firms. Understanding the market trends and consumer demands will help you position your flower shop effectively and offer products that cater to your target audience.

Next, analyze your competition. Identify other online flower shops or local florists in your area and assess their strengths, weaknesses, and pricing strategies. This will help you identify gaps in the market and differentiate your business by offering unique products or services.

Tips for conducting market research:

• Define your research objectives: Clearly outline what you want to achieve through your market research, whether it's understanding customer preferences, analyzing market trends, or identifying the competitive landscape.
• Utilize online resources: Make use of industry reports, online databases, and social media platforms to gather relevant information about the floral industry and consumer behavior.
• Survey your potential customers: Create online surveys or conduct focus groups to gather firsthand feedback from your target audience. This will help you understand their preferences, expectations, and any pain points they may have in the current market.
• Stay updated with industry news: Subscribe to industry publications, attend trade shows, and join relevant online communities to stay informed about the latest trends, technological advancements, and opportunities in the floral industry.

By conducting comprehensive market research, you will gain a deeper understanding of your target market, competition, and industry landscape. This knowledge will serve as a foundation for developing a successful business plan and executing effective strategies to grow your online flower shop.

Analyze Your Competition

One crucial step in writing a business plan for your flower shop is to thoroughly analyze your competition. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors will enable you to develop strategies that set your online flower shop apart in the market.

Start by identifying the key players in the online flower delivery industry. Take note of their business models, target markets, product offerings, and pricing strategies. This information will help you assess the current competitive landscape and identify opportunities for differentiation.

Here are some important points to consider when analyzing your competition:

Product Range:

Pricing strategy:, delivery options:, customer experience:, marketing and promotion:.

By thoroughly analyzing your competition, you will gain valuable insights that will shape your business strategies. Remember, the goal is not to copy what others are doing but to identify gaps and opportunities that can differentiate your online flower shop, setting it apart from the rest.

Determine Your Unique Selling Proposition

One of the most crucial steps in writing a business plan for a flower shop is determining your unique selling proposition (USP). Your USP is what sets your online flower shop apart from the competition and makes it compelling to customers. Here are some important considerations when determining your USP:

• Identify your niche: Start by identifying the specific niche or target market you want to serve. In this case, you could focus on customers who value farm-to-accent floral arrangements and are looking for fresh, seasonal blooms sourced from small batch growers.
• Highlight what makes you unique: Think about what unique features or characteristics your online flower shop has that differentiate it from your competitors. Is it the wide variety of flowers you offer? The convenience of the subscription floral box plan? Or the personalized and custom designs offered through your florist service?
• Consider conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to better understand your business's unique strengths and weaknesses.
• Research your competitors to see what they offer and how you can differentiate yourself.
• Gather customer feedback and testimonials to showcase what makes your online flower shop stand out.

By determining your unique selling proposition, you can effectively communicate your value proposition to potential customers and establish a strong brand presence in the floral industry. Your USP will become the foundation for your marketing strategies and will help attract and retain customers in a competitive market.

Define Your Business Goals And Objectives

Before diving into the world of flower shop ownership, it's crucial to define your business goals and objectives. This step will help guide your decision-making process and provide direction for the overall growth and success of your online flower shop. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

• 1. Determine your revenue targets: Clearly establish how much revenue you aim to generate within a specific timeframe, whether that's monthly, quarterly, or annually. This target will serve as a benchmark for measuring your progress and success.
• 2. Identify growth opportunities: Outline the areas in which you want your flower shop to grow. This could include expanding your customer base, introducing new product offerings, or even scaling your operations to reach a wider market.
• 3. Establish customer satisfaction goals: As a business owner, customer satisfaction should be high on your list of priorities. Set specific goals related to customer feedback, reviews, and retention rates to ensure that you are constantly striving to exceed expectations.
• 4. Focus on brand development: Consider what you want your brand to represent and how you want it to be perceived by your target market. Outline goals related to brand positioning, image, and recognition to guide your marketing efforts and build a strong brand identity.
• Ensure your goals and objectives are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Regularly review and update your goals to reflect changes in the market or your business circumstances.

Defining your business goals and objectives will provide you with clarity and a roadmap for success as you navigate the exciting world of owning an online flower shop. It will help you stay focused, make informed decisions, and ultimately achieve your desired level of growth and profitability.

Create A Budget And Secure Financing

One of the crucial steps in starting a flower shop is creating a budget and securing financing. Proper financial planning is essential to ensure the smooth functioning and growth of your business. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:

• Estimate your startup costs: Begin by estimating the initial costs required to set up your online flower shop. This includes expenses such as website development, inventory, packaging, marketing, and legal fees.
• Outline your ongoing expenses: Apart from the initial costs, you should also plan for ongoing expenses like rent, utilities, employee salaries, and marketing campaigns. It is important to account for these recurring costs to avoid any surprises later on.
• Identify potential sources of financing: Depending on the scale of your flower shop, you may need external funds to support your business endeavors. Explore different financing options such as small business loans, personal savings, or seeking investors.
• Create a detailed financial projection: Develop a comprehensive financial projection that includes sales forecasts, income statements, and cash flow projections. This will help you analyze the financial feasibility of your flower shop and present a convincing case to potential investors or lenders.
• Seek professional advice: If you are new to financial planning, consider consulting with a financial advisor or an accountant who specializes in small businesses. They can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you create a realistic budget and secure the necessary financing.
• Remember to include a contingency fund in your budget to account for any unforeseen expenses or emergencies that may arise.
• Consider researching government grants or programs that may be available for small businesses in the floral industry.
• Prepare a convincing business plan that outlines your financial needs, demonstrates market potential, and showcases your expertise in the flower industry. This can be instrumental in securing financing from lenders or investors.

By carefully planning your budget and securing appropriate financing, you lay a strong foundation for the success and growth of your online flower shop. Remember, financial stability is key to ensuring the sustainability and profitability of your business.

Develop A Pricing Strategy

Developing a pricing strategy is an essential step in creating a successful business plan for your flower shop. Your pricing strategy will determine how much you charge for your products or services, ensuring that it is competitive in the market while still generating enough profit for your business.

Here are some important considerations when developing a pricing strategy:

Research your market:

Calculate your costs:, consider your target audience:, set competitive yet profitable prices:, regularly evaluate and adjust:.

Developing a sound pricing strategy is crucial to the success of your flower shop. By understanding your market, considering your costs, and catering to your target audience, you can set competitive prices that not only attract customers but also ensure the sustainability and profitability of your business.

Identify Potential Suppliers And Establish Relationships

Identifying potential suppliers and establishing strong relationships with them is crucial for the success of your flower shop business. Here are the key steps to take:

1. Research and Identify Potential Suppliers: Start by conducting thorough research to identify potential suppliers who can provide you with the fresh, seasonal flowers you need. Look for local flower growers, wholesalers, and distributors who align with your business values and offer a wide variety of blooms.

2. Evaluate Supplier Reliability: Once you have a list of potential suppliers, evaluate their reliability. Consider factors such as their track record, reputation, delivery schedules, and ability to consistently provide high-quality flowers. You can check online reviews, ask for references, or even visit their farms or facilities to get a firsthand understanding of their operations.

3. Compare Pricing: Compare the prices offered by different suppliers to ensure you get the best value for your money. While it's important to consider cost-efficiency, remember that quality should also be a top priority when selecting suppliers for your flower shop.

4. Establish Relationships: Once you have identified reliable and cost-effective suppliers, it's time to establish strong relationships with them. Reach out to them personally, either through phone calls or emails, to introduce yourself and express your interest in working together. Building personal connections with your suppliers can lead to better communication, trust, and potential advantageous terms in the future.

5. Communicate Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations, requirements, and any specific preferences regarding the flowers you want to source. For example, you may prefer working with suppliers who offer organic or sustainably grown flowers. By setting clear expectations from the beginning, you will ensure that your suppliers understand your needs and can meet them accordingly.

• Consider attending industry trade shows or events to network with potential suppliers and learn more about the latest trends in the floral industry.
• Establishing relationships with local flower growers can help you support your community and provide your customers with unique, locally sourced blooms.
• Regularly communicate with your suppliers to stay updated on their offerings, availability, and any changes that may impact your business. Maintaining open lines of communication will strengthen your relationships and help you make informed business decisions.

Remember, selecting the right suppliers and establishing strong relationships with them is an ongoing process. Regularly evaluate their performance, stay informed about industry trends, and remain open to exploring new partnerships to ensure your flower shop's success.

Consider Legal And Regulatory Requirements

When starting a flower shop, it is crucial to consider the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to your business. Ensuring compliance with these requirements will help you avoid potential legal issues and fines, and establish a strong foundation for your business's success.

First and foremost, you need to register your business . Choose a legal structure for your flower shop, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC), and register it with the appropriate government agencies. This will provide you with a legal entity and protect your personal assets.

Tips for Registering Your Business:

• Research the specific registration requirements in your locality or country.
• Consult with a lawyer or accountant to ensure compliance with legal obligations.
• Obtain any necessary licenses or permits for operating a flower shop.

To legally operate your online flower shop, you will also need to comply with local zoning laws . Check with your local authorities to determine if there are any zoning restrictions or permits required for running your business from a specific location, whether it is a commercial space or your home.

Tips for Complying with Zoning Laws:

• Ensure that your chosen location is zoned for retail or commercial activities.
• Familiarize yourself with any restrictions regarding signage, parking, or operating hours.
• Consult with a lawyer or local authorities to ensure compliance.

In addition, it is important to understand the tax obligations associated with running a flower shop. Register for a tax identification number, and consult with a tax professional to ensure you are aware of all the applicable taxes and how to properly file your business taxes.

Tips for Managing Taxes:

• Keep detailed records of all business income and expenses.
• Set up a system to track sales tax if required in your jurisdiction.
• Consider consulting with an accountant or tax professional for guidance.

Lastly, familiarize yourself with any regulations regarding shipping and handling of fresh flowers . Ensure that you comply with any restrictions or requirements imposed by shipping carriers or agricultural authorities to avoid any issues with the transportation and delivery of your floral arrangements.

Tips for Shipping and Handling:

• Follow proper packaging guidelines to maintain the freshness and quality of your flowers during transit.
• Check for any restrictions on shipping certain types of flowers or plants to different locations.
• Stay informed about any changes in shipping regulations or requirements.

By considering and complying with the legal and regulatory requirements , you can ensure that your flower shop operates within the bounds of the law, and provide a safe and reliable service to your customers.

Writing a business plan for a flower shop requires careful consideration of your target market, competition, unique selling proposition, business goals, and budget. By conducting market research, analyzing your competition, and identifying potential suppliers, you can ensure a successful launch and growth of your online flower shop. With a well-defined pricing strategy and a focus on providing fresh, seasonal blooms from small batch growers, your business can thrive in the competitive floral industry. Utilizing social media and a user-friendly website will help promote your business and provide a seamless customer experience. Don't forget to consider legal and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and avoid any potential issues. By following these nine steps, you can create a solid business plan for your flower shop and set yourself up for success.

$169.00 $99.00 Get Template

Related Blogs

• Starting a Business
• KPI Metrics
• Running Expenses
• Startup Costs
• Pitch Deck Example
• Increasing Profitability
• Sales Strategy
• Financial Modeling
• Rising Capital
• Valuing a Business
• How Much Makes
• Sell a Business
• Business Idea
• How To Avoid Mistakes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Need a business plan? Call now:

Talk to our experts:

• Business Plan for Investors
• Bank/SBA Business Plan
• Operational/Strategic Planning
• L1 Visa Business Plan
• E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
• E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
• EB1 Business Plan
• EB2 Visa Business Plan
• EB5 Business Plan
• Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
• UK Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• UK Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
• Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
• Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
• British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
• Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
• OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
• ICT Work Permit Business Plan
• LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
• USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
• Franchise Business Planning 
• Landlord Business Plan 
• Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan 
• USDA Business Plan
• Cannabis business plan 
• eCommerce business plan
• Online Boutique Business Plan
• Mobile Application Business Plan
• Daycare business plan
• Restaurant business plan
• Food Delivery Business Plan
• Real Estate Business Plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Buy Side Due Diligence Services
• ICO whitepaper
• ICO consulting services
• Confidential Information Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Feasibility study
• Fractional CFO
• How it works
• Business Plan Examples

Flower Shop Business Plan Sample

Jun.09, 2018

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 4

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Table of Content

Florist business plans for your own flower business

Are you planning to starting a flower shop business ? Floriculture is profitable business to venture in when planned properly. The history of floriculture industry began back in 1800 in England where flowers were grown on large scale on estates. Today, growing of flowers as greatly changed and have been embraced by many people across the world. For instance, in 1950s the flower growers in the United States was less than US $3billion. In 1992, this figure had increased to US$100 billion. In 2003, the global trade for flowers had tremendously increased to US$101 billion. According to reliable sources, the floral industry grows more than six percent annually. Venturing into the floral industry is definitely a great idea, but it needs proper planning and finances to make in the flower shop business plan . With this flower shop business plan, you will have a clear picture on what it required of you to succeed in the industry. Flowers are loved by many and with the right customer target, you are in for business.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

The flower shop will be registered using the name Kate’s Blossoms and will be situated in Seattle, Washington. The shop will be owned and managed by Kate Spencer who is an experienced florist.

2.2 Management Team

Kate Spencer owner and manager of Kate’s Blossoms is an expert florist who has worked extensively in the flower industry for over a decade. During her career, Kate worked for high profile and flower shops across United States. Considering her extensive, it wasn’t difficult for her to open a flower shop business .

2.3 Customer Focus

Before beginning a flower shop, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of your flower market and statistics. Kate’s Blossoms plans to set up its shop in a strategic location with plenty of people traffic. Customers are anyone who is a flower enthusiast or keen on purchasing some flowers for different reasons.

2.4 Business Target

Prior to s tarting a flower shop business , Kate went through a couple of flower shop business ideas , so as to make the right decision. Kate’s Blossoms intends to offer different types of flowers for various occasions to a wide range of customers visiting the shop. Kates’s Blossoms plans to find a creative marketing approach to survive competition and get good market.

Florist Business – Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Kate Spencer is an experienced florist specialist with a successful career journey in the flower industry. She has also majored in flower farming and attained excellent floral certification in her career. Having worked for various famous shops and companies across the United States, she has an immense understanding of the procedures required for starting a flower shop business . With this experience and knowledge, Kate is positive that the launching of the flower shop with go as planned and customers will start visiting the shop soon to make purchases.

3.2 Aim of Starting the Business

The modern society presenting flowers as a gift to friends and loved ones has become a tradition and for this reason, the demand for flowers has gone up. The fact that flowers are beautiful and yet affordable, is the reason why many people prefer using them for expression. With the flower trend as a tradition across the United States, Kate thought it was the right time for starting a flower shop business  to address market needs.

3.3 How the Business will be Started

With over 10 years’ experience in the flower industry, Kate Spencer enjoys a massive experience in the industry. For this reason, she has a keen understanding on what it required to start the flower business. After carefully studying local flower shop market trends, Kate has worked closely with experts to come up with a comprehensive financial analysis. In addition, she has invested to have an in depth flower shop business plan that will cover all sectors required to set up the floral shop. A good marketing plan will be greatly helpful to market the business to reach as many people as possible in Seattle, Washington and across the United States.

Most flower shops aim at providing a wide range of flower products and services.

A Floral Services for Customers

Unlike small flower shops who only sell flowers to individuals, Kate’s Blossoms floral shop will focus on availing flower products and related services to different types of people and go a step further to offer customized flowers in accordance to customer preferences. Kate’s Blossoms intends to provide a wide variety of floral services to different customers. When planning on opening a flower shop business , you should survey the market and determine what customers are looking for. In this case, Kate’s Blossoms intends to offer the following products at its Seattle floral shop:

• Offer bouquets with flower arrangements to make each occasion memorable.
• Offer floral settings and table setting, wedding receptions, corporate events and ceremony venues.
• Provide floral consultation services to help a customer choose the flowers that complement the theme and style of their occasion.
• Offer exquisite floral arrangement for the perfect finish.

To open a flower shop and make it successful depends on the creativity and diversifying consumer products. This is why it’s essential to come up with a realistic and competitive florist business plan .

Operational and Strategic Planning

Marketing analysis of florist businesses, excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

The flower industry is raking in impressive numbers and for this reason, businesses venturing into the industry are witnessing fast growth and high profitability. However, when coming up with a business plan for flower shop , it’s essential to do your homework well. With each passing day, new flower shops continue to emerge in Settle, Washington. Understanding your local market is key to give you intimate knowledge of local trends. Many floral shops are working hard to meet the growing demand for flowers and a creative customer oriented approach is required to make your flower shop dream come true. A good floral shop should be in a position to offer fresh and healthy different types of flowers to potential customers.

5.1 Market Segment

In order to ensure Kate’s Blossoms to meet its obligations, the flower shop will focus on selling various flower products and services. The aim it to introduce a wide array of services that are exclusively associated with Kate’s Blossoms. A good flower shop business plan sample should be in a position to identify potential customers for the flower shop business plan . Kate’s Blossoms will basically reach out to anyone who’s interested in flower and services being offered. After extensive market research, the flower shop has identified the following customers to patronize the facility.

5.1.1 Individuals

One of the biggest markets for Kate’s Blossoms is individuals who love flowers. The concept of buying flowers for personal use has been embraced by many people across United States. For instance, some people buy flowers to keep in their house for beauty or other could get rose flowers for a loved one to express their feelings. During special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day or Father’s Day to mention but a few people tend to buy flowers more compared to normal days. According to many florist business plans , statistics indicate that Americans spent $31.3 billion on floriculture in 2015. The growth witnessed in the floral industry has been attributed to an increasing number of people embracing the flower giving lifestyle. This flower shop business proposal sample is designed to focus on reaching out to current flower enthusiasts in a bid to encourage them to try out different types of bouquets arrangements.

5.1.2 Corporates

This group consists of customers who are looking to hosting events that require some floral arrangements. This group consists of people drawn from various corporates and firms from various professional and industries looking for a flower shop provide top notch arrangement for the perfect finishing touch or completely transforming a space. Once in a while, corporates usually host parties and events and require a professional to handle the arrangement. Kate’s Blossoms, wishes to target these kind of events to provide floral services as well as table setting. The business will provide a conducive environment for your planned event for your flower shop business plan partners, employees and potential business partners to meet, exchange ideas, celebrate and socialize. Seattle is a big city with a lot of companies that hold events once in a while. For this reason, Kate worked on the perfect plan on how to start a flower store business plan that will target these corporates for frequent gigs.

5.1.3 Weddings

Weddings happens all the time across Seattle city. One of the main requirements to have a beautiful wedding receptions are flowers. Most couples when planning for a wedding they want to deal with a company that provides top notch flower service to make their day memorable. According to the sample business plan for a flower shop, Kate’s Blossoms intends to focus on couples planning a wedding to provide over the top flower arrangement for their special day. The flower shop will give couples the options to choose the flowers they want so as to get a customized service. Today, people getting married are willing to spend a considerable amount of money to grace their occasion with beautiful flowers and table setting. The flower shop business plan example plans to invite potential couples to visit the floral shop to look at previous successful work and benefit from experts advice.

5.1.4 New Mothers

Presenting a bouquet of beautiful flowers to a new mother is always a heart melting action. Kate’s Blossoms floral shop business plan will focus on targeting people having new mothers in their lives to spoil them with some flowers. New mothers will also be a business target when it comes to baby arrangements. These flower arrangements will be arranged depending with the gender of the child. For instance if it’s a baby girl, a mixture of daisies and pink roses can be arranged in a basket to celebrate the birth of a new baby girl. In another instance, a baby boy can get an arranged bouquet of yellow Asiatic lilies, green pompons and blue delphinium.

5.2 Business Target

Everyone wants to become part of the floral culture and Kate’s Blossoms has an excellent opportunity to launch its services on the market. Settle is a large city and the floral shop intends to set up in a strategic location with high human traffic. In order to boost revenue, the flower shop plans to offer a diversified product range of services for its customers. With a good strategic business plan flower shop in place, Kates’s Blossoms hopes to achieve a 28-35% increase in annual sales.

5.3 Product Pricing

When planning how to open your own flower shop, it is necessary to do a market study and compare product prices from competitors. You should also make use of free flower shop business plan ideas available in the internet to have helpful information on how to run a successful floral business. When it comes to pricing the services, a proper research needs to be carried out to come up with attractive packages. Given the increasing number of flower shops, Kate’s Blossoms is keen to have competitive pricing in order to stay afloat and compete favorably with other industry players. The business will also capitalize on introducing awesome packages that are not be offered by other flower shop to attract even more customers.

The flower industry is experiencing rapid growth as giving of flowers as a form of gift becomes more predominant. With more people and corporates keen on finding a sensitive and beautiful way to express themselves, the of floral shops has drastically increased and there is need for Kate’s Blossoms to find the best strategic plans of how to open up a flower shop business and remain relevant in a fast growing industry.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

Kate’s Blossoms plans to come up with business model that will sustain business operations and ensure customers enjoy superior quality products. There are other flower shops in the city but the business has identified strategies to help it remain ahead of competitors.

6.2 Sales Strategy

For the flower shop to attain its sales goals, the following strategies have been identified to help market the business.

• Organize a grand party for the entire neighborhood to introduce the flower shop to customers. During the event, offer customers free coffee and snacks for them to show them what the flower shop business plan s to offer.
• Offer training sessions to keep staff up to date about the latest floral services available in the flower shop. Doing this empowers staff to convince customers why they should spend their money on various flower services and products.
• Embrace SMS text messaging as a way to retain clients and build long-term customer relationships and loyalty
• Place signage at strategic points within the customer target areas to create awareness and market the flower shop.
• Come up with loyalty plan that see loyal customers enjoy goodies from the floral shop and remain committed clients
• Advertise the flower shop on local media channels such as radio, newspapers and television
• Use social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to market the flower shop

6.3 Sales Forecast

To achieve its targets, Kate’s Blossoms has formulated a sales forecast to demonstrate how the floral shop will perform when it starts operations. Before you venture into how to start a floral design business, you have to have a comprehensive flower shop business plan with achievable goals. Kate Spencer has the right information on how to start a flower shop and believes the business will be the best in Seattle.

Personnel Plan

High quality business plan and professional support.

It was amazing to work with OGS Capital for our business plan. They promptly responded our enquires and delivered document on time.The document was well organized high quality and content.We succeded with Alex and his team support. We thank you guys again for professional approach and easy communication.

Kate’s Blossoms hopes to employ well trained and experienced personnel to run the operations of the flower shop on a daily basis. According to many floral business plans , the business costs should include a personnel budget to enable the business have an idea how much it will spend on salaries.

7.1 Personnel Plan

Kate’s Blossoms is owned by Kate Spencer who will also be the manager of the flower shop. As preparations are put in place for the business to open doors to the public, the following staff will be employed in the flower shop.

Owner/Manager Operation Manager 2 Marketing Executives 1 Cashier 2 Cleaners 6 Florists

Successful applicants will be undergo training to familiarize themselves with flower shop operations to boost productivity and performance. The flower shop business plan s to encourage everyone to work as a team for smooth day to day operations.

7.2 Salaries

Kates’s Blossoms plans to compensate its members of staff the following salaries within the first three years of operation. If you are planning on how to start my own flower shop business , paying your employees a competitive package should be among your priorities to motivate them.

Financial Plan

Kate’s Blossoms has come up with a detailed financial plan that will guide the operations of the flower shop. Initial capital and business expenses need to be well-defined in the flower shop business plan template . In this flower shop business plan , Kate Spencer will finance the flower shop business plan assisted by two investors. A bank loan will be secured to help finance budget deficiencies. When it to how to start a floral business , you shouldn’t be afraid to seek help form experts to come up with a comprehensive financial plan. If you are wondering on how to start your own flower shop and make it successful, you will need to come up with an awesome flower shop business plan that will guide you to achieving your goals.

Below is important financial data for Kate’s Blossoms.

8.1 Important Assumptions

Financial forecast for Kate’s Blossoms shall be based on the assumptions below.

8.2 Brake-even Analysis

The Brake-even Analysis for Kate’s Blossoms is shown in the graph below.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 monthly profit, 8.3.2 yearly profit, 8.3.3 monthly gross margin, 8.3.4 yearly gross margin.

Profit and Loss Analysis for Kate’s Blossoms is shown below.

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

Below is a summary of pro forma cash flow, subtotal cash received, subtotal cash spent on operations, subtotal cash spent and subtotal cash from operations.

Download Florist Business Plan Sample in pdf

Professional writers OGS capital specialized also on themes such as garden nursery business plan , benefits of business continuity planning , nursery business plan , hydroponics farm business plan , aquaponics farm business plan , agriculture farm business plan ,

and many others.

Vegetable Farming Business Plan

Trading Business Plan

How To Write A Textile Manufacturing Business Plan

Start a Vending Machine Business in 2024: A Detailed Guide

Oil and Gas Business Plan

What Is Strategic Planning: Definition and Process

Any questions? Get in Touch!

We have been mentioned in the press:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search the site:

How to open a flower shop?

Are you keen to open a flower shop but don't know where to begin? Then you're in luck because this guide will lead you through all the steps required to check if your business idea can be profitable and, if so, turn it into a reality. 

Our guide is for prospective entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a flower shop no matter how far they are in their journey - whether you’re just thinking about it or in the middle of market research this guide will be useful to you.

Think of this as your blueprint: we cover everything you need to know about opening a flower shop and what key decisions you’ll need to make along the way.

Ready? Let’s get started!

In this guide:

• Understanding how a flower shop works

Assembling your flower shop's founding team

• Conducting market research for a flower shop
• Choosing the right concept and positioning for your flower shop
• Deciding where to base your flower shop
• Choosing your flower shop's legal form

Calculating the budget to open a flower shop

• Creating a sales & marketing plan for your flower shop

Building your flower shop's financial forecast

Finding a name and registering your flower shop.

• Deciding upon the corporate identity of your flower shop
• Understanding the legal and regulatory steps involved in opening a flower shop
• Writing a business plan for your flower shop
• Financing the launch of your flower shop
• Launching your flower shop and monitoring progress against your forecast

Key takeaways

What is the business model of a flower shop.

Before thinking about starting a flower shop, you'll need to have a solid understanding of its business model (how it generates profits) and how the business operates on a daily basis.

Doing so will help you decide whether or not this is the right business idea for you, given your skillset, personal savings, and lifestyle choices.

Looking at the business model in detail will also enable you to form an initial view of the potential for growth and profitability, and to check that it matches your level of ambition.

The easiest ways to acquire insights into how a flower shop works are to:

Speak with flower shop owners

Undertake work experience with a successful flower shop, participate in a training course.

Talking to seasoned entrepreneurs who have also set up a flower shop will enable you to gain practical advice based on their experience and hindsight.

Learning from others' mistakes not only saves you time and money, but also enhances the likelihood of your venture becoming a financial success.

Gaining hands-on experience in a flower shop provides insights into the day-to-day operations, and challenges specific to the activity.

This firsthand knowledge is crucial for effective planning and management if you decide to start your own flower shop.

You'll also realise if the working hours suit your lifestyle. For many entrepreneurs, this can be a "make or break" situation, especially if they have children to look after.

First-hand experience will not only ensure that this is the right business opportunity for you, but will also enable you to meet valuable contacts and gain a better understanding of customer expectations and key success factors which will likely prove advantageous when launching your own flower shop.

Undertaking training within your chosen industry is another way to get a feel for how a flower shop works before deciding to pursue a new venture.

Whichever approach you go for to gain insights before starting your flower shop, make sure you familiarise yourself with:

• The expertise needed to run the business successfully (do you have the skills required?)
• How a week of running a flower shop might look like (does this fit with your personal situation?)
• The potential turnover of your flower shop and long-term growth prospects (does this match your ambition?)
• The likely course of action if you decide to sell the company or retire (it's never too early to consider your exit)

At the end of this stage, you should be able to decide whether opening a flower shop is the right business idea for you given your current personal situation (skills, desires, money, family, etc.).

Can your business idea be profitable?

Just enter your data and let The Business Plan Shop crunch the numbers. We will tell if your business idea can generate profits and cash flows, and how much you need to get started.

The next step to opening your flower shop is to think about the ideal founding team, or to decide to go in alone.

Starting and growing a successful business doesn't have to be a solo journey and setting up a flower shop with several co-founders is generally easier. The business benefits from a management team with a wider skillset, decisions are made together, and the financial risk is shared among the partners, making the journey more collaborative and less daunting.

But, running a business with several partners brings its own challenges. Disagreements between co-founders are quite common, and these can pose risks to the business. That's why it's crucial to consider all aspects before starting your own business.

We won't go into too much detail here, as this is a complex topic that deserves its own guide, but we do recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:

What is the ideal number of co-founders for this venture?

Are you on the same wavelength as your potential partners in terms of vision and ambition , how will you deal with potential failure.

Let's look at each of these questions in more detail.

To answer this question you will need to consider the following:

• What skills do you need to run the business? Are you lacking any?
• How much startup capital do you need? How much do you have?
• How are key decisions going to be made? - It is usually advisable to have an odd number of partners (or a majority shareholder) to help break the tie.

Put simply, your co-founders contribute skills, capital, or both. Increasing the number of partners becomes advantageous when there is a deficiency in either of these resources.

Your business partners should share the same short and long-term vision, be it business expansion or social responsibility, to avoid future frustrations and simplify decision-making. Different views are natural, but alignment is ideal.

In any case, you should think of having an exit mechanism in place in case one of the partners wants to move on.

We wish you nothing but success when starting up and growing your flower shop, but it's always wise to have a backup in case things don't go as planned.

How you deal with a potential failure can vary significantly based on the relationship you have with your business partner (close friend, spouse, ex-colleague, etc.) and the personal circumstances of each of you. 

For instance, starting a business with your spouse might seem appealing, but if it doesn't succeed, you risk losing 100% of the household income at once, which could be stressful.

Similarly, going into a partnership with a friend can put pressure on the friendship in the event of failure or when you need to make difficult decisions.

There is no wrong answer, but it is essential to carefully evaluate your options before starting up to ensure you're well-prepared for any potential outcomes.

Is there room for another flower shop on the market?

The next step in starting a flower shop is to undertake market research. Now, let's delve into what this entails.

The objectives of market research

The goal here is straightforward: evaluate the demand for your business and determine if there's an opportunity to be seized.

One of the key points of your market analysis will be to ensure that the market is not saturated by competing offers.

The market research to open your flower shop will also help you to define a concept and market positioning likely to appeal to your target clientele.

Finally, your analysis will provide you with the data you need to assess the revenue potential of your future business.

Let's take a look at how to carry out your market research.

Evaluating key trends in the sector

Market research for a flower shop usually begins with an analysis of the sector in order to develop a solid understanding of the its key players, and recent trends.

Assessing the demand

After the sector analysis comes the demand analysis. Demand for a flower shop refers to customers likely to consume the products and services offered by your company or its competitors.

Looking at the demand will enable you to gain insights into the desires and needs expressed by your future customers and their observed purchasing habits.

To be relevant, your demand analysis must be targeted to the geographic area(s) served by your company.

Your demand analysis should highlight the following points:

• Who buys the type of products and services you sell?
• How many potential customers are there in the geographical area(s) targeted by your company?
• What are their needs and expectations?
• What are their purchasing habits?
• How much do they spend on average?
• What are the main customer segments and their characteristics?
• How to communicate and promote the company's offer to reach each segment?

Analyzing demand helps pinpoint customer segments your flower shop could target and determines the products or services that will meet their expectations.

Assessing the supply

Once you have a clear vision of who your potential customers are and what they want, the next step is to look at your competitors.

Amongst other things, you’ll need to ask yourself:

• What brands are competing directly/indirectly against your flower shop?
• How many competitors are there in the market?
• Where are they located in relation to your company's location?
• What will be the balance of power between you: are your competitors independent players or franchises?
• What types of services and products do they offer? At what price?
• Are they targeting the same customers as you?
• How do they promote themselves? 
• Which concepts seem to appeal most to customers?
• Which competitors seem to be doing best?

The aim of your competitive analysis will be to identify who is likely to overshadow you, and to find a way to differentiate yourself (more on this see below).

Regulations

Market research is also an opportunity to look at the regulations and conditions required to do business.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you need a special degree to open a flower shop?
• Are there necessary licences or permits?
• What are the main laws applicable to your future business?

At this stage, your analysis of the regulations should be carried out at a high level, to familiarize yourself with any rules and procedures, and above all to ensure that you meet the necessary conditions for carrying out the activity before going any further.

You will have the opportunity to come back to the regulation afterwards with your lawyer when your project is at a more advanced stage.

Take stock of the lessons learned from your market analysis

Market research should give you a definitive idea of your business idea's chances of commercial success.

Ideally, the conclusion is that there is a market opportunity because one or more customer segments are currently underserved by the competition.

On the other hand, the conclusion may be that the market is already taken. In this case, don't panic: the first piece of good news is that you're not going to spend several years working hard on a project that has no chance of succeeding. The second is that there's no shortage of ideas out there: at The Business Plan Shop, we've identified over 1,300 business start-up ideas, so you're bound to find something that will work.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast and write a business plan to help convince investors that your business idea can be profitable.

Choose the right concept and position your flower shop on the market

The next step to start a flower shop is to choose the company's market positioning.

Market positioning refers to the place your product and service offering occupies in customers' minds and how it differs from how competitors are perceived. Being perceived as a high-end solution, for example.

To do this, you need to take the following considerations into account:

How can you make your business stand out from your competitors?

Can you consider joining a franchise as a way to lower the risks involved, is it better to start a new flower shop or acquire one that is already up and running, how to make sure your concept meets customer needs.

Let's look at each of these in a little more detail.

When you decide to start your own flower shop, you're facing an upward challenge because your competitors are already ahead. They have a good reputation, loyal customers, and a strong team, while you're just getting started.

Opening a flower shop offering exactly the same thing as your competitors is risky and potentially doomed to fail: why would customers take the risk of choosing a newcomer rather than a company with a proven track record?

This is why it is advisable to avoid direct confrontation by adopting a differentiated market positioning wherever possible: in other words, by offering something different or complementary to what is available on the market.

To find a market positioning that has every chance of success, you need to ask yourself the following questions: 

• Can you negate direct competition by serving a customer profile that is currently poorly addressed by your competitors?
• Can your business provide something different or complementary to what is already available on the market?
• Why will customers choose your flower shop over the competition? 
• How will your competitors react to your entry into their market?
• Is the market sufficiently large and fragmented (i.e. not dominated by a few large chains) to allow you to set up an independent business, or is it better to consider another avenue (see below)?

A good way of getting a market positioning that is guaranteed to seduce customers is to join a group with a proven concept.

Admittedly, joining a franchise is not necessarily as exciting as opening a flower shop with a clean slate, everything to invent and total freedom to do so, but it is a proven way of reducing the risk of entering the market.

By joining a franchise, you will benefit from a concept that is successful with customers, the brand recognition of a large network, and operational support with regard to supplier relations, processes and operating standards, etc.

In return, you will have to pay an entry fee and an annual royalty (on your company's sales).

Joining a franchise is a trade-off where you need additional capital and get less freedom in exchange for a lot less risk. It's not for everyone, and it's not possible everywhere (franchise opportunities vary from region to region), but it is nevertheless an option you should explore.

Another way to benefit from a proven concept and reduce the risk of your project is to take over a flower shop. 

Buying a flower shop allows you to get a team, a customer base, and above all to preserve the balance on the market by avoiding creating a new player. For these reasons, taking over a business is a lot less risky than creating one from scratch.

Taking over a business also gives you greater freedom than franchising, because you have the freedom to change the positioning and operations of the business as you see fit.

However, as you can imagine, the cost of taking over a business is higher than that of opening a flower shop because you will have to finance the purchase.

Once you have decided on your concept and the market positioning of your future flower shop, you will need to check that it meets the needs, expectations and desires of your future customers.

To do this, you need to present it to some of your target customers to gather their impressions.

Explore the ideal location to start your flower shop

The next stage in our guide on how to start a flower shop: choosing where to set up shop.

Setting up your business in the right location will have a direct impact on your chances of success, so it's a good idea to think things through before you launch.

To help you decide where to set up your business, we recommend considering the following factors:

• Visibility and foot traffic: A flower shop relies on attracting customers through its visual appeal, so it is important to have a location with high visibility and foot traffic to increase the chances of potential customers seeing the shop and being drawn in.
• Parking space, road and public transport accessibility: Customers often purchase flowers on a whim, so having ample parking space and easy access to public transport can make it easier for them to visit the flower shop without hassle.
• Proximity to target customers: It is crucial for a flower shop to be in close proximity to its target customers, such as residential areas, event venues, and offices, to make it convenient for them to purchase and receive flowers.
• Competitor presence: While a certain level of competition can be healthy, it is important to consider the number and strength of competitors in the area. A location with too many well-established flower shops may make it difficult for a new business to thrive.
• Efficient logistics: For industrial businesses like manufacturers or makers, having efficient logistics is important for the timely delivery of materials and products. This can help a flower shop maintain a steady supply of fresh flowers and meet customer demands.
• Storage space: A flower shop requires proper storage space to maintain the freshness and quality of its flowers. This is especially important for seasonal flowers that may not be readily available all year round.
• Availability of skilled labor: Skilled labor, such as florists and designers, is essential for a flower shop to provide high-quality products and services. Therefore, a location with a pool of skilled workers can be advantageous for a flower shop.
• Easy access to main roads: For construction businesses, having easy access to main roads can facilitate the transportation of materials and equipment to and from the location. This can help save time and costs in the long run.
• Climate and soil quality: For agricultural businesses, such as flower farms, having a suitable climate and soil quality is crucial for the growth and health of the flowers. A location with the right conditions can help ensure a steady supply of high-quality flowers.
• Adequate infrastructure: This includes access to water, electricity, and other necessary utilities. For agricultural businesses, having access to water sources for irrigation is important for the growth of flowers.
• Premises layout: For hospitality businesses like restaurants or hotels, having a well-designed and functional premises layout can enhance the overall experience for customers. This can include ample seating areas, a designated flower display area, and a working space for florists.
• Space to grow: For e-commerce or online businesses, having enough space to expand and grow the business is important for its success. This can include a physical storefront for customers to visit and see the products in person, as well as a warehouse for storage and order fulfillment.
• Demographic of local population: Understanding the demographic of the local population can help a service business, like a flower shop, tailor their products and services to meet the needs and preferences of their target customers.

These criteria will need to be refined according to the specific features of your project.

After weighing the factors mentioned earlier, it's crucial to focus on your startup's budget. Look for a location that suits your business needs while being affordable, especially in the short term.

One of the issues that will also come up is the long-term future of your location, particularly if you opt to rent your premises rather than buy. In this case, you will need to consider the conditions for renewing the lease (duration, rent increases, etc.).

Lease agreements vary widely from country to country, so make sure you check the terms applicable to your situation and have your lawyer review your lease before you sign.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

Avoid writer's block and draft your own business plan in no time by drawing inspiration from dozens of business plan templates.

What legal form should I choose for my flower shop?

The next step to start a flower shop is to choose the legal form of your business.

The legal form of a business simply means the legal structure it operates under. This structure outlines how the business is set up and defines its legal obligations and responsibilities.

Why is your flower shop's legal form important?

Choosing the right legal form for your flower shop is important because this will affect:

• Taxation: your tax obligations depend on the legal structure you choose, and this principle applies to both personal income tax and business taxes.
• Risk exposure: some legal structures have a legal personality (also known as corporate personality) and limited liability, which separates them from the owners running the business. This means that the business would be liable rather than the owners if things were to go wrong (lawsuit, debt owed in case of bankruptcy, etc.).
• Decision-making and governance: how you make key decisions varies based on the legal form of your business. In some cases you might need to have a board of directors and organise general assemblies to enable shareholders to influence major decisions with their voting rights.
• Financing: securing funding from investors requires you to have a company and they will expect limited liability and corporate personality to protect them legally.
• Paperwork and legal formalities: the legal structure you select determines whether certain obligations are necessary, such as producing annual accounts, or getting your books audited.

Popular business legal forms

The specific names of legal structures vary from country to country, but they usually fall within the two main categories below:

Individual businesses

Individual businesses, like sole traders or sole proprietorships, are made for self-employed entrepreneurs and freelancers rather than businesses which employ staff.

They benefit from straightforward administrative requirements, minimal paperwork to start, simpler tax calculations, and streamlined accounting procedures.

However, the downside is that there's typically no legal distinction between the business and the person responsible for day-to-day operations. This means the owner's personal assets are at risk if the business faces problems or goes bankrupt.

There is also no share capital in such a structure, meaning that individual businesses cannot raise equity from investors which seriously limits funding options.

Companies are versatile structures suited to projects of all sizes in terms of number of founders, number of employees and amount of capital.

They are a bit more complex to operate than individual businesses with more formalities, stringent accounting requirements, more complex tax implications, etc.

In return, they offer stronger protections to their shareholders. They usually benefit from having their own legal identity and limited liability, meaning co-founders and investors can only ever lose the amount of money they have put into the company.

For instance, if things were to go south (the company files for bankruptcy or there is a legal issue), the company would take the hit, safeguarding the personal assets of the founders and investors.

How should I choose my flower shop's legal structure?

Deciding on a legal form is easy once you've estimated your sales, decided whether or not you need employees and figured out the number of co-founders joining you.

It's essential to remember that a solid business idea will succeed no matter which legal structure you pick. Tax laws change regularly, so you can't rely on specific tax advantages tied to a particular structure when starting a business.

A proven approach is to look at what legal structures your top competitors are using, and go with the most common option as a working assumption. Once your idea is mature enough, and you're getting closer to officially registering your business, you can get advice from a lawyer and an accountant to confirm your choice.

Can I switch my flower shop's legal structure if I get it wrong?

Yes, changing your legal structure later is possible, though it may involve selling the old entity to a new entity in some cases, which adds further expenses. If you want to save on such costs, it makes sense to pick the correct legal form for your business the first time around.

The next step to opening a flower shop involves thinking about the equipment and staff needed to launch and run your business on a day-to-day basis.

Each project has its own characteristics, which means that it is not possible to estimate the budget for opening a flower shop without building a complete financial forecast.

So be careful when you see estimates circulating on the Internet. As with all figures, ask yourself these questions:

• Is my project similar (location, concept, size, etc.)?
• How recent is the information?
• Is it from a trustworthy source?

Startup costs and investments to open a flower shop

For a flower shop, the initial working capital requirements and investments may include the following elements:

• Flower inventory: As a flower shop owner, you will need to purchase a variety of flowers to stock your shop. This includes fresh flowers, potted plants, and dried flowers. These items are considered fixed assets as they are necessary for the day-to-day operations of your shop.
• Refrigeration equipment: In order to keep your fresh flowers and arrangements looking their best, you will need to invest in refrigeration equipment. This can include a walk-in cooler or a display case with refrigerated shelves. These items are essential for maintaining the quality and freshness of your flowers.
• Display and storage equipment: A flower shop requires a variety of display and storage equipment to showcase and organize your products. This can include shelving units, vases, containers, and storage cabinets. These items are necessary for creating an appealing and functional layout for your shop.
• Delivery vehicle: If you offer delivery services, you will need to invest in a delivery vehicle. This can range from a small van to a larger truck depending on the size and scale of your business. A reliable delivery vehicle is essential for ensuring your products reach your customers in a timely and safe manner.
• Point-of-sale system: A modern flower shop requires a point-of-sale (POS) system to process orders, track inventory, and manage customer data. This can include a computer, cash register, barcode scanner, and software. A POS system is a necessary investment for streamlining your business operations and providing excellent customer service.

Of course, you will need to adapt this list to your company's specific needs.

Staffing plan to operate a flower shop

To establish an accurate financial forecast for your flower shop, you will also need to assess your staffing requirements.

The extent to which you need to recruit will of course depend on your ambitions for the company's growth, but you might consider recruiting for the following positions:

Once again, this list is only indicative and will need to be adjusted according to the specifics of your flower shop.

Other operating expenses required to run a flower shop

You also need to consider operating expenses to run the business:

• Staff Costs: This includes the salaries and wages of your employees, as well as any benefits or bonuses you may offer.
• Accountancy Fees: You may need to hire an accountant to help you with bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial planning for your flower shop.
• Rent: The cost of renting your storefront or workspace.
• Inventory: The cost of purchasing flowers, plants, and other materials to create your arrangements.
• Utilities: This includes electricity, water, and other necessary utilities for your shop.
• Insurance Costs: You will need insurance to protect your business from potential risks, such as property damage or liability claims.
• Marketing and Advertising: You may need to budget for marketing and advertising expenses to promote your flower shop and attract customers.
• Software Licenses: You may need to purchase software licenses for programs such as accounting software, point-of-sale systems, or online ordering platforms.
• Supplies: This includes any materials or tools needed for creating floral arrangements, such as vases, ribbons, and floral foam.
• Delivery Expenses: If you offer delivery services, you will need to budget for the cost of gas, vehicle maintenance, and any other expenses related to delivering orders.
• Banking Fees: You may incur fees for processing credit card payments or for maintaining a business bank account.
• Repairs and Maintenance: This includes any necessary repairs or maintenance for your shop, equipment, or vehicles.
• Training and Development: You may need to invest in training for yourself and your employees in order to improve skills and knowledge related to the floral industry.
• Professional Memberships: You may choose to join professional organizations or associations related to the floral industry, which may require membership fees.
• Legal Fees: You may need to budget for legal expenses, such as consulting with a lawyer or drafting contracts for your business.

This list will need to be adapted to the specifics of your flower shop but should be a good starting point for your budget.

How will I promote my flower shop's?

The next step to starting a flower shop is to think about strategies that will help you attract and retain clients.

Consider the following questions: 

• How will you attract as many customers as possible?
• How will you build customer loyalty?
• Who will be responsible for advertising and promotion? What budget can be allocated to these activities?
• How many sales and how much revenue can that generate?

Once again, the resources required will depend on your ambitions and the size of your company. But you could potentially action the initiatives below.

Your flower shop's sales plan will also be affected by variations in consumer demand, like changes in activity during peak holiday seasons, and the dynamics within your competitive environment.

The next step to opening a flower shop is to create your financial forecast.

What is a flower shop financial forecast?

A flower shop financial forecast is a forward-looking tool that projects the financial performance of your business over a specific period (usually 3 years for start-ups). 

A forecast looks at your business finances in detail - from income to operating costs and investments - to evaluate its expected profitability and future cash flows.

Building a financial forecast enables you to determine the precise amount of initial financing required to start your flower shop.

There are many promising business ideas but very few are actually viable and making a financial forecast is the only way to ensure that your project holds up economically and financially.

Your financial forecast will also be part of your overall business plan (which we will detail in a later step), which is the document you will need to secure financing.

Financial forecasts are used to drive your flower shop and make key decisions, both in the pre and post-launch phases:

• Should we go ahead with the business or scrap the idea?
• Should we hire staff or use an external service provider?
• Which development project offers the best growth prospects?

Creating a financial forecast for starting a flower shop is an iterative process as you will need to refine your numbers as your business idea matures. 

As your flower shop grows, your forecasts will become more accurate. You will also need to test different scenarios to ensure that your business model holds true even if economic conditions deteriorate (lower sales than expected, difficulties in recruiting, sudden cost increases or equipment failure problems, for example).

Once you’ve launched your business, it will also be important to regularly compare your accounting data to your financial projections in order to keep your forecast up-to-date and maintain visibility on future cash flows.

What does a financial projection look like?

The following financial tables will be used to present your flower shop's financial forecast.

The projected P&L statement

Your flower shop's forecasted P&L statement will enable you to visualise your flower shop's expected growth and profitability over the next three to five years.

The projected balance sheet of your flower shop

The projected balance sheet gives an overview of your flower shop's financial structure at the end of the financial year.

The cash flow projection

A cash flow forecast for a flower shop shows the projected inflows and outflows of cash over a specific period, providing insights into liquidity and financial health.

Which solution should you use to make a financial projection for your flower shop?

Using an online financial forecasting tool , such as the one we offer at The Business Plan Shop, is the simplest and safest solution for forecasting your flower shop.

There are several advantages to using specialised software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You have access to complete financial forecast templates
• You get a complete financial forecast ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• The software helps you identify and correct any inconsistencies in your figures
• You can create scenarios to stress-test your forecast's main assumptions to stress-test the robustness of your business model
• After you start trading, you can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast, and recalibrate your forecast to maintain visibility on your future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you are interested in this type of solution, you can try our forecasting software for free by signing up here .

The next step in starting a flower shop is to decide on a name for your entity. 

For starters, you cannot take a name similar to a name already registered by a competitor or protected by a trademark without inevitably risking getting sued. So you’ll need to find a name available, and reserve it before others can.

In addition, you will probably want to use the same name for:

• Your company’s legal name - Example LTD or Example Inc
• Your trading name - Example
• A trademark - Example ® 
• Your company’s domain name - Example.com

The issue is that you’ll need to register your name in three different places almost simultaneously, but with each place having its own timeframes:

• Registering a domain name is instantaneous
• Registering a trademark takes at least 3 months (if your application is accepted)
• Registering a company depends on the country, but it's generally fairly quick

You will therefore be faced with the choice of either registering everything at once in the hope that your name will be accepted everywhere, or proceeding step by step in order to minimise costs, but taking the risk that someone else will register one of the names you wanted in the meantime.

Our advice is to discuss the strategy with your legal counsel (see further down in this guide) and to give priority to your domain names and your registered trademark. You'll always have the option of using a trading name that's different from your company's legal name, and that's not a big deal.  

To check that the name you want is not already in use, you should consult:

• Your country's business register
• The register of trademarks where you wish to obtain protection
• Your preferred search engine
• A domain name reservation company (such as GoDaddy)

If the name you want is available, you can go ahead and register it.

Develop your flower shop's corporate identity

The next step to launching a flower shop: defining your company's visual identity. 

Your corporate identity defines how your company's values are communicated visually. It makes you unique and allows you to stand out visually from your competitors and be recognized by your customers.

Defining your corporate identity can easily be done by you and your co-founders, using the many free tools available to generate color palettes, logos and other graphic elements. Nevertheless, this task is often best entrusted to a designer or agency to achieve a professional result.

Your flower shop's visual identity will include the following elements:

Brand guidelines

Business cards, website theme.

The goal is to have stakeholders identify your business logo quickly and relate to it. Your logo will be used for media purposes (website, social networks, business cards, etc.) and legal documents (invoices, contracts, etc.).

The design of your logo must be emblematic, but it's also important that it can be seen on any type of support. To achieve this, it should be easily available in a range of colors, so that it stands out on both light and dark backgrounds.

The brand guidelines of your flower shop act as a safeguard to ensure that your image is consistent whatever the medium used.

Brand guidelines lay out the details like the typography and colors to use to represent your company.

Typography refers to the fonts used (family and size). For example, Arial in size 26 for your titles and Tahoma in size 15 for your texts.

When it comes to the colors representing your brand, it's generally a good idea to stick to five or fewer:

• The main colour, 
• A secondary colour (the accent),
• A dark background colour (blue or black),
• A grey background colour (to vary from white),
• Possibly another secondary colour.

A rare paper medium that continues to survive digitalization, business cards are still a must-have for communicating your flower shop contact details to your customers, suppliers and other partners.

In principle, they will include your logo and the brand guidelines we mentioned above.

Likewise, the theme of your flower shop website will include your logo and follow the brand guidelines we discussed earlier.

This will also define the look and feel of the main visual elements on your website:

Navigate the legal and regulatory requirements for launching your flower shop

The next thing to do in getting a flower shop off the ground is to handle all the legal and regulatory requirements. We recommend that you be accompanied by a law firm for all of the steps outlined below.

Intellectual property

One of your priorities will be to ensure that your company's intellectual property is adequately protected.

As explained before, you can choose to register a trademark. Your lawyer can help you with a detailed search to make sure your chosen trademark is unique and doesn't clash with existing ones.

They'll assist in preparing the required documents and steer you in picking the right categories and locations for trademark registration.

Moreover, your lawyer can offer guidance on additional measures to protect other intellectual property assets your company may have.

Getting your flower shop paperwork in order

For day-to-day operations, your flower shop will need to rely on a set of contractual documents. 

Your exact needs in this respect will depend on the country in which you are launching your flower shop, the number of partners and the envisaged size of the company. 

However, you will probably need at least the following documents:

• Employment contracts 
• General terms and conditions of sale
• General terms and conditions of use for your website
• Privacy Policy for your website
• Cookie Policy for your website

Applying for licences and permits and registering for various taxes

Operating your business legally may require licences and business permits. The exact requirements applicable to your situation will depend on the country in which you set up your flower shop.

The lawyers who advise you will also be able to guide you with regard to all the rules applicable to your business.

Similarly, your accountant will be able to help you take the necessary steps to comply with the tax authorities.

How do I write a business plan for a flower shop?

Once you've completed all the above steps, you can start writing the business plan for your flower shop.

What is a flower shop's business plan?

The business plan is a document containing:

• The financial forecast (discussed earlier in this guide), highlighting the project's financing requirements and profitability potential,
• A written presentation, which presents your project in detail and provides the necessary context for the reader to assess the relevance and coherence of your forecast.

The business plan is particularly important: it will help you validate your business idea and ensure its coherence and financial viability.

But it's also the document you'll send to your bank and potential investors to present your plan to open a flower shop and make them want to support you.

So it's best to draw up a professional, reliable and error-free business plan. 

How to write a business plan for my flower shop?

If you're not used to writing business plans, or if you want to save time, a good solution is to use an online business plan software for startups like the one we offer at The Business Plan Shop.

Using The Business Plan Shop to create a business plan for a flower shop has several advantages:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete startup business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast by importing accounting data
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows

Interested? If so, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Raise the financing needed to launch your flower shop

With your business plan in hand, you can tackle one of the final steps to open a flower shop  business: the search for financing.

Raising the capital needed to launch your business will probably require a combination of equity and debt, which are the two types of financing available to companies.

Equity funding

Equity is the sum of money invested in a flower shop by both founders and investors.

Equity is a key factor in business start-ups. Should the project fail, the sums invested in equity are likely to be lost; these sums therefore enable the founders to send a strong signal to their commercial and financial partners as to their conviction in the project's chances of success.

In terms of return on investment, equity investors can either receive dividends from the company (provided it is profitable) or realize capital gains by selling their shares (provided a buyer is interested in the company).

Equity providers are therefore in a very risky position. They can lose everything in the event of bankruptcy, and will only see a return on their investment if the company is profitable or resold. On the other hand, they can generate a very high return if the project is a success.

Given their position, equity investors look for start-up projects with sufficient growth and profitability potential to offset their risk.

From a technical standpoint, equity includes:

• Share capital and premiums: which represent the amount invested by the shareholders. This capital is considered permanent as it is non-refundable. In return for their investment, shareholders receive shares that entitle them to information, decision-making power (voting in general assembly), and the potential to receive a portion of any dividends distributed by the company.
• Director loans: these are examples of non-permanent capital advanced to the company by the shareholders. This is a more flexible way of injecting some liquidity into your company as you can repay director loans at any time.
• Reserves: these represent the share of profits set aside to strengthen the company's equity. Allocating a percentage of your profits to the reserves can be mandatory in certain cases (legal or statutory requirement depending on the legal form of your company). Once allocated in reserves, these profits can no longer be distributed as dividends.
• Investment grants: which represent any non-refundable amounts received by the company to help it invest in long-term assets.
• Other equity: which includes the equity items which don't fit in the other categories. Mostly convertible or derivative instruments. For a small business, it is likely that you won't have any other equity items.

The main sources of equity are as follows:

• Contributions made by the owners.
• Private investors: business angels, friends and family.
• Crowdfunding: raising funds by involving a group of people through campaigns where they contribute money or make donations, often getting something in return for their support.
• Start-up aid, e.g. government loans to help founders build up their start-up capital.

Debt financing

Debt is the other way of financing companies. Unlike equity, debt offers lenders a limited, contractually guaranteed return on their investment.

Your flower shop undertakes to pay lenders' interest and repay the capital borrowed according to a pre-agreed schedule. Lenders are therefore making money whether or not your company makes a profit.

As a result, the only risk lenders take is that of your flower shop going bankrupt, so they're extremely conservative and will want to see prudent, hands-on management of the company's finances.

From the point of view of the company and all its stakeholders (workforce, customers, suppliers, etc.), the company's contractual obligation to repay lenders increases the risk for all. As a result, there is a certain caution towards companies which are too heavily indebted.

Businesses can borrow debt in two main ways:

• Against assets: this is the most common way of borrowing. The bank funds a percentage of the price of an asset (a vehicle or a building, for example) and takes the asset as collateral. If the business cannot repay the loan, the bank takes the asset and sells it to reduce losses.
• Against cash flows: the bank looks at how much profit and cash flow the business expects to make in the future. Based on these projections, it assigns a credit risk to the business and decides how much the business can borrow and under what terms (amount, interest rate, and duration of the loan).

It's difficult to borrow against future cash flows when you're starting a flower shop, because the business doesn't yet have historical data to reassure about the credibility of cash flow forecast.

Borrowing to finance a portion of equipment purchases is therefore often the only option available to founders. The assets that can be financed with this option must also be easy to resell, in the unfortunate event that the bank is forced to seize them, which could limit your options even further.

As far as possible sources of borrowing are concerned, the main ones here are banks and credit institutions. Bear in mind, however, that each institution is different, in terms of the risk it is prepared to accept, what it is willing to finance, and how the risk of your project will be perceived.

In some countries, it is also possible to borrow from private investors (directly or via crowdfunding platforms) or other companies, but not everywhere.

Key points about financing your flower shop

Multiple solutions are available to help you raise the initial financing you need to open your flower shop. A minimum amount of equity will be needed to give the project credibility, and bank financing can be sought to complete the financing.

What to do after launching my flower shop?

Launching your flower shop is the beginning of an exciting entrepreneurial adventure, and the culmination of your efforts to turn your idea into a reality. But this is also when the real work begins.

As you know, nearly half of all new businesses fail, so you'll need to do everything you can to make your business sustainable right from the start.

Estimating the future financial performance of a flower shop inevitably involves a degree of uncertainty. That's why we recommend simulating several scenarios: a central case with the most likely scenario, an optimistic case, and a pessimistic case designed to test the limits of your business model.

Normally, your company's actual financial performance, observed after you start trading, should fall somewhere between your pessimistic and optimistic cases.

The important thing will be to quickly measure and compare this actual performance with the figures in your forecast to see where you stand, then update the forecast to re-estimate the future cash flows and cash position of your flower shop.

This forward-looking financial management exercise is the only way to know where you stand and where you're going. And, when your figures fall short of expectations, to quickly implement actions to turn things around before the company runs out of cash.

There's nothing more dangerous than waiting until you have your accounts, which takes up to nine months after the end of your financial year (if you are in the UK, abroad your mileage will vary), to then realize that you're not on the right track and that your flower shop won't have enough cash to operate over the next twelve months.

This is where using a forecasting solution that integrates actuals vs. forecast tracking, like The Business Plan Shop's financial dashboards do, can simplify the financial management of your business and help reduce the risk associated with your start-up project.

• There are 15 key steps to opening a flower shop.
• Your financial forecast will enable you to accurately assess your initial financing requirements and the potential profitability of your project.
• Your business plan will give your financial partners the context they need to be able to judge the consistency and relevance of your forecast before deciding whether or not to finance the creation of your flower shop.
• Post-launch, it's essential to have an up-to-date forecast to maintain visibility of your business's future cash flows.
• Using a financial planning and analysis platform that integrates forecasts, business plans and actual performance monitoring, such as The Business Plan Shop, makes the process easier and reduces the risks involved in starting a business.

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to open a flower shop. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or want to share your experience as an entrepreneur.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• Start-up business plan examples

Know someone who wants to start a flower shop? Share this guide with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

See exactly how much profit and cash flow your business idea can generate and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

This site uses cookies to deliver and enhance the quality of its services and to analyze traffic.

Flower Shop Business Plan Template

Document description.

This flower shop business plan template has 39 pages and is a MS Word file type listed under our business plan kit documents.

Sample of our flower shop business plan template:

[YOUR COMPANY NAME] Business Plan INSERT IMAGE/LOGO [YOUR NAME] [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] [[email protected]]

Related documents

3,000+ templates & tools to help you start, run & grow your business, all the templates you need to plan, start, organize, manage, finance & grow your business, in one place., templates and tools to manage every aspect of your business., 8 business management modules, in 1 place., document types included.

Got any suggestions?

We want to hear from you! Send us a message and help improve Slidesgo

Top searches

Trending searches

teacher appreciation

11 templates

memorial day

12 templates

13 templates

rain forest

23 templates

amusement park

5 templates

Floral Business Product Brochure

Floral business product brochure presentation, free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

Do you run a flower shop? Are you looking for a way to promote it in which you can showcase a bit of creativity on your behalf? How about a brochure? Here's a floral template that will make your ideas come true. It has illustrations, photos and other resources at your disposal. Besides, since it's in A4 format, you don't need to worry about the size. Focus on the contents and watch the smiles of your customers!

Features of this template

• 100% editable and easy to modify
• 6 different slides to impress your audience
• Contains easy-to-edit graphics such as graphs, maps, tables, timelines and mockups
• Includes 500+ icons and Flaticon’s extension for customizing your slides
• Designed to be used in Google Slides, Canva, and Microsoft PowerPoint
• A4 format optimized for printing
• Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the free resources used

How can I use the template?

Am I free to use the templates?

How to attribute?

Attribution required If you are a free user, you must attribute Slidesgo by keeping the slide where the credits appear. How to attribute?

Related posts on our blog.

How to Add, Duplicate, Move, Delete or Hide Slides in Google Slides

How to Change Layouts in PowerPoint

How to Change the Slide Size in Google Slides

Related presentations.

Premium template

Unlock this template and gain unlimited access