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Business 52 July | 2022 DELIVERY TIPS AND TRICKS FOR FLORISTS Start with great design mechanics when creating your arrangements, to give them as much durability and stability as possible. Load and unload your arrangements and plants careful- ly into your delivery vehicle, and use your choice of fl oral delivery systems, to give your fl ower arrangements and plants a safe ride to their destinations. In lieu of the professional fl oral deliv- ery systems highlighted in this article, many fl orists use old-school methods to secure and stabilize arrangements and plants in their delivery vehicles, including tube sandbags and bungee cords. While these items can be eff ec- tive, they also can be cumbersome. It is also important to keep a small tool kit in your vehicle, with a knife or snips, zip ties, wire, etc., so you can make any needed repairs on site. Some fl orists also load a small bucket of extra fl owers in their vehicles so they can make replacements, when needed. is is especially helpful for weddings and event work. Most important, though, is training your drivers how to handle, load and unload fl ower arrangements and plants properly—and stressing the importance of doing so. Paulina Nieliwocki, owner of Blue Jasmine Floral in Berkeley Heights, N.J., shares her tips for trans- porting fl oral designs. "Waxed tissue in a snug box is a must when packing for retail deliveries because the waxed tissue can withstand a little water drip," she recommends. "As for events, footed vessels need a lot of packing at their bases to make sure they don't tip or shift during transport. Also, save all of the paper and packing that comes with your fl owers and hard goods. Reusing these materials is a great money-saver and a great way to reduce your paper consumption." e boxes that your fl owers come in also can be reused to help transport fl owers. ey are good for packing personal fl owers, like corsages and boutonnières, and they are great for garlands. In a pinch, you can cut "X"s in the lid of a fl ower box, to create a transport for vase arrangements. You can reinforce the box by applying duct tape around and between each "X" cut. Valen Ibarra, owner of Blumenhaus in Denver, Colo., shares her deliver processes. "I don't have a delivery van; I usually transport in my car. I buckle in the fl owers, literally like toddler. Also I keep a few bottles of water in my car, in case any water spills, as well as a bottle of FloraLife® Crowning Glory®." Event and wedding designer Nicole Gilbride, owner of Beholden Blooms in Frankfort, Ky., shares, "I'm an event fl orist who does only a handful of events each year, so I don't need to invest in a delivery van or trailer ; I simply rent the vehicles I need for my large events. I advise considering the frequency of use before investing in a vehicle, as well as calculating the costs of buying versus renting." Gilbride also off ers the following pieces of advice, based on her experiences with weddings and events. 1 Consider your stabilizing and sup- port structures. I use the Seminole Floral Delivery System for my event delivery, but be sure to investigate, and invest in a system that works for you. Ask other fl orists what they use, or take notes when you're freelancing." 2 Consider creating vertical designs if you have limited space in your vehicle. Just be sure to adequately stabilize them. 3 For event work, hire and train extra hands for loading and unloading vehicles. Having a team of people who know how to properly secure things for delivery and can load and unload vehicles rapidly is key. 4 Plan for product loss during transport. I always take a bucket containing two of each bloom used in the designs, in case anything breaks during transport. I also carry an extra container or two. Having the right supplies and a few extra fl owers will enable you to solve problems if an emergency arises.

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