Flower power

Candice's top career tips

• Get yourself some comfortable shoes.
• If you're doing a floristry course, gain experience in the industry at the same time.
• Be patient with people.

Candice Thomas, florist

Why did you want to be a florist?
I became interested in floristry a couple of years ago when I did the table decorations for my wedding. I was working in life insurance and had a degree in behavioural health science but I wasn't satisfied with my job. So I decided to do the one-year Pearsons School of Floristry course one day a week. Half way through the course I did a day's work experience at a Pearsons Florist and had a floristry job the next week. I had just needed to be brave to make it happen.

What is it about the job that excites you?
Flowers follow fashion and things are always changing every day. I love working with people and making them happy with what I create. Even with a funeral, you are helping someone make a final tribute to a person they love, and this is quite rewarding.

What is the most mundane thing?
Taking out the rubbish. We do it about 15 times a day. A lot of florists are quite small spaces so we have to keep all the rubbish out of the way.

What does a typical day involve?
At Pearsons, our buyers go to the flower markets at 5am, three times a week. The first shop shift starts at about 8.30 with unpacking the market flowers. You unpack the flowers, strip, cut and wrap them and get them onto the stand. In between this you have customers coming in and we also get orders from head office. You finish work at four in the afternoon or six if you're on the later shift. You're on your feet every day but after the first two weeks, you get used to it.

Do you get personally attached to your creations?
It's a creative process and I do [develop] a fixation on colours and textures. When you make something you're proud of, it's always the first thing to sell because you are excited about it.

Do you ever think about the people the flowers get sent to?
You always think about the reason people are getting the flowers, and knowing [it] will make them happy wherever they are is a wonderful feeling.

What type of personality traits do top florists have?
Good customer service skills, and to be able to understand people's needs. You have to be able to get things done quickly and to be patient with customers. Being up with changing trends and fashion is something you need to continually work at.