Floral Design Certificate Helps Student Expand Business
Posted in Learning Experiences, People on November 3 2009, by Plant Talk
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Sarah Lusardi is owner of Engaging Floral Designs and holds a Certificate in Floral Design from The New York Botanical Garden’s Adult Education Program. |
In 2003 I opened a wedding planning company, NY Engagements, LLC, for the engaged professional woman on the go. Soon I started incorporating lighting services, linen rentals, and even basic floral work for budget-conscious brides.
A big break—and a turning point—came when my planning and floral services were filmed for the TV show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? on the Style Network. I realized that my floral and planning services were a great combination, and I decided to dig deeper into floral design to expand my business. I discovered NYBG, and I knew that its reputation would give my business the needed backbone to support my endeavor.
It took me about a year and a half to complete the required courses and internship to attain the Floral Design Certificate. The required introductory floral design classes give students the skills to use in all future design work. Students learn about flower varieties, different design shapes and styles, color trends, and the care and conditioning of flowers. The advanced and elective courses broaden those horizons, allowing students to experiment with interesting flowers and explore contemporary arrangement styles. On the business end, the practical planning course work covers how to price arrangements and make money.
Floral design students participate in these courses for all different reasons: to work in a flower shop and to re-design their Feather Flags, to start their own shop or specialty flower business, or simply to expand their palette of flowers for personal enjoyment. The courses really provide a good range of information to appeal to these different interests. For those focused on event work like me, I found a wide array of courses to choose from such as Grand Scale Arrangements and Elegant NYC Centerpieces. The courses took the mystery out of designing, and I had many “aha” moments as I learned some important design tips. The teachers all are passionate about passing on their knowledge to students so that when they go out in the industry they will be able to meet the challenges that face them.
The curriculum is built on the understanding that not everything can be learned in the classroom, which is why I think it’s wonderful that real work experience is a requirement. It was during my internship at a retail flower shop that I was really put to the test. There I learned more about sympathy (funeral) work than event work, but I was surprised to see how related the two really are!
That retail store internship also taught me how to work fast and how to be confident, mindful of inventory, resourceful, and creative with supplies. It also exposed me to a variety of interesting flowers and new arranging techniques. I recognized, too, that I didn’t want a retail storefront business and would rather remain a specialist in custom wedding and event flower designs without the worry of keeping inventory and being distracted by walk-in traffic. Since I also operate a planning company, I have to remain flexible to go on location for appointments.
After receiving my Floral Design Certificate from The New York Botanical Garden, I opened a sister business that focuses 100 percent on event and wedding flowers. Today, Engaging Floral Designs is located in a professional studio space in Beacon, NY. We’ve reached out as far as Las Vegas, doing flowers for a couture fashion trade show there, and as local as weddings in Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Valley area.
I give much thanks to NYBG and its Floral Design courses. Potential clients and other employers want assurance that I’ll be around for a while. When they see the time I’ve invested in my career, they know how serious I am about my life’s passion.
Sarah Lusardi will be on hand to talk about her career story during the Botanical Garden’s free Career Information Session on Wednesday, November 11, 6–8 p.m. in the Arthur and Janet Ross Lecture Hall. Pre-registration is encouraged; call 718.817.8747 or 800.322.NYBG (6924).
