Change of career - floristry ?

[Coffeepleeeaase]

I am currently at home with a baby and don't want to go back to my previous job. I'm Seeing this as an opportunity to learn something new. I would quite like to become a florist it's something I'm quite interested in. I've already had a look at some college course and also private courses. One of Which I am thinking of enrolling on. Just thought I'd post on here to see if anyone has any tips or advice on floristry and becoming a florist ?

No personal experience but have two friends who have (separately) set up business from home doing flowers for special occasions. Both seem to be busy but not sure how profitable.

It's poorly paid, hard work and very cold/dirty. You need to be physically fit as there is lots of lifting, shifting and all day spent on your feet. Metal buckets of water and wrought iron candelabras are heavy!

It's not for everyone. Go and get some experience before you fork out money for a course.

It's very tough for florists at the moment. There is massive competition from the supermarkets and online retailers. The pound is also weak at the moment which means that flowers, the majority of which come through Holland, are £££.