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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 53 Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 53 Supplier Relationships and Sourcing Creating and sustaining a profitable holiday decorating business requires maintaining a strong profit margin. Do not rely on big-box stores for sourcing your supplies; wholesale suppliers are cost-effective options that can also help you stay abreast of trends. Build strong relationships with reliable suppliers, and ensure that they can meet your demand and provide consistent quality. Negotiate favorable terms and pricing to maximize your profits. We recommend visiting a gift market, such as AmericasMart in Atlanta, Ga.; the Las Vegas Market; and the Dallas Market Center, where you can shop from hundreds of showrooms and exhibits of top suppliers like Melrose International and Accent Décor. Scheduling, Staffing and Project Management To capitalize on the approximately two-to-three-week period when most residential and commercial clients want their homes and offices decorated, you will need to plan ahead. Develop a scheduling system to effectively manage initial design planning appointments with clients, on-site installations, maintenance during the season and detailed removals. Many factors may affect these plans, but pay special attention to the size and complexity of each project; travel time between locations; and the availability of your team members, including seasonal hires. Be sure to also keep your store adequately staffed during this busy time. To keep track of staff scheduling, project timelines and more, utilize a project management software such as Trello, Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Wrike or Jira—all of which are highly rated and relatively easy to use. By Tonneli Grüetter T he winter season is right around the corner ready to welcome a healthy dose of holly jolly holiday profits for florists, especially those who offer professional winter-holiday decorating services. Adding such services to your repertoire can provide both creatively and financially rewarding opportunities for your business. By expanding your services to include holiday décor, you tap into a claiming your slice of another market segment. According to IBISWorld, the retail market for decorations for the winter holiday season (lights, trees, wreaths, garlands, ornaments and other decorations) in the U.S. is around $29 billion—more than is spent on fresh flowers during an entire year. Additionally, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that this spending breaks down to approximately $269 for each American who celebrates the winter holidays. With your expertise in floral design, you can bring an artistic touch to holiday decorations, creating stunning displays that captivate and delight. is extension of your services not only allows you to showcase your creativity but also provides an additional revenue stream during the holiday season, when demand for decorating services is high. You can establish your business as a one-stop destination for all things celebration— gifts, décor and even food, if you sell gourmet items. e combination of creative fulfillment and increased profits makes professional holiday decorating a valuable addition to your business; however, before you jump into this business venture, we need to discuss 10 important logistical considerations you will need to plan for—or you may land in some hot cocoa you'll regret.

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