Retrain in massage, floristry or something else?

[Iggypoppie]

Does anyone know if (post covid) floristry or massage would be a good thing to train to work self employed a couple of days of a week?

I live in a city and want to do something that is not office based and brings in an extra income. I'm over 40 and ideally would like something I can do post retirement if possible.

Thanks in advance

All I know about floristry is expect very early starts and very cold hands.

Thanks. Why the early starts? Is it the flower markets? So much to think about.

I did a sports massage course a while back - it's really physically demanding and tough on the back. Might be something to keep in mind if you're looking for something to do post retirement?

Floristry is really surprisingly physical and quite knackering so do keep that in mind if it's something you want to be doing post retirement.

Im a beauty therapist and all the massage therapists I know cannot make a living from it solely if you’re looking for additional income and are artistic nails is the way to go

a friend is starting up in business just now as a florist (having worked in florists years ago when she was younger) and my sister was a masseuse for a good few years.

as others have said, both are demanding in different ways so why those jobs? i think both are likely to always be in demand but if you work for someone you won't get much above minimum wage and if you work for yourself the income is potentially higher but you then need to manage the business side of it which could be stressful....

Thanks @motorcyclenumptiness I wonder how tyring it would be a couple of days a week.

There’s no money in massage anymore, the market is very saturated!!! A few people I know in beauty are doing eyebrows and seem to be making a bit from them.

I'm toying with retraining doing spray tans in a few years, less physical I'd hope!

Thanks everyone. just want to do something that isn't desk based as I'm so bored of desk work. I work at a desk 3 days per week and when my DD goes to school next year I'd like a new challenge. I don't have any skills other than office based ones so I'd need to retrain in some way.

Dog walking?

Yes, flower markets, plus preparing arrangements for weddings and funerals - the bulk of the work seems to happen before opening premises if shop or market based.

What about horticulture? Hilliers garden centre do an apprenticeship, or some of the plant nurseries might offer seasonal jobs where you can gain skills. Quite physical too though.

I don't think floristry would be well suited to a couple of days a week - potential clients will want flowers when they want them, not just the two days you are available to sell them!

Something appointment based would be better, but even then most people would be looking for flexibility to make appointments around their schedule, not yours?

Doggy daycare if you have the energy. More and more people are using the service.

I think animal services are where the money is at the moment. Walking, grooming, pet sitting etc... You'd need to love animals though!

I'm now physically disabled,so out of the job market, but prior to that for a few years I had my perfect dual job combination - worked for the CQC inspecting Care Homes, so that was the suited and booted well paid job, and then simultaneously started a garden maintenance/design job, which was (and still is)a passion of mine.
Loved both and they funded my international travels.
Ideal for me
Good luck with whatever you do, OP.

Oh!and there are dog walkers/pet sitters round here too, so might be something else to consider?

I'm now thinking of a street food van...