Idea 2: Florist Business Guide

1. UNDERSTAND THE FLORIST BUSINESS

A florist business involves:

• Selling fresh flowers (roses, lilies, carnations, sunflowers, etc.)
• Making bouquets and floral arrangements
• Providing flowers for events (weddings, funerals, birthdays, corporate events)
• Optional add-ons: vases, wrapping paper, greeting cards, chocolates

You can operate as:

• A roadside / small shop florist
• A home-based florist
• An online florist (Instagram, WhatsApp, website)

2. MARKET RESEARCH

Before you start:

• Identify your target customers (events, offices, individuals, hotels, churches)
• Check competitors in your area and their prices
• Learn which flowers are most popular locally
• Understand peak seasons (Valentine’s, weddings, graduations, funerals)

3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN KENYA

You will need:

• Business name registration (eCitizen)
• Single Business Permit from your county government
• KRA PIN (mandatory)
• If operating online only, permits are still recommended

4. LOCATION & SETUP

Good locations include:

• Near busy roads
• Close to hospitals, churches, event venues
• Town centers or shopping areas

Basic setup items:

• Table or small shop
• Buckets or flower vases
• Clean water supply
• Sharp scissors / floral knife
• Wrapping materials (papers, ribbons)
• Cooler or fridge (optional but helpful)

5. SOURCE OF FLOWERS

Flowers can be sourced from:

• Flower farms (Naivasha, Limuru, Thika)
• Wholesale flower markets
• Local growers

Tips:

• Buy early in the morning
• Start small to reduce wastage
• Build good relationships with suppliers

6. SKILLS REQUIRED

Basic skills you should learn:

• Flower arrangement
• Bouquet wrapping
• Customer service
• Pricing and simple record keeping

You can learn through:

• YouTube tutorials
• Short florist training courses
• Practicing daily with small orders

7. PRICING YOUR PRODUCTS

When pricing, consider:

• Cost of flowers
• Transport costs
• Packaging materials
• Your profit margin

Example:

• Cost of bouquet: KES 800
• Selling price: KES 1,200 – 1,500

Always price for profit, not just affordability.

8. MARKETING & SALES

Effective ways to market:

• Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
• WhatsApp Business catalog
• Word of mouth
• Partnering with event planners, hotels, and churches

Tips:

• Post clear photos
• Show prices
• Respond fast to inquiries
• Offer delivery services

9. DAILY OPERATIONS

• Change water daily to keep flowers fresh
• Remove damaged flowers immediately
• Track daily sales and expenses
• Reduce wastage by selling slow-moving flowers at a discount

10. CHALLENGES & HOW TO MANAGE THEM

Common challenges:

• Flower spoilage → Buy small quantities
• Low sales days → Focus on online marketing
• Transport issues → Use reliable riders
• Price fluctuations → Adjust prices seasonally

11. GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

As the business grows, you can:

• Add event decoration services
• Supply flowers to offices on subscription
• Open more outlets
• Start importing specialty flowers
• Train others and sell floral courses

12. KEY SUCCESS TIPS

• Start small, grow steadily
• Prioritize quality and freshness
• Treat customers well
• Keep proper records
• Reinvest profits