PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED FLORIST PROGRAM
THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED FLORIST PROGRAM
It is divided into three segments. Design Production, Flower Shop Management and Professional Certified Florist. You may take only the management classes or the design production classes and receive a certificate of completion for those particular segments. To qualify for the Professional Certified Florist designation you must successfully complete all the classes and the final testing.
The program provides a standard of professional excellence which is recognized throughout the industry. It is available to you with 3 hands-on courses and 9 online lecture courses. Textbooks will also be on-line and can be downloaded for easy reference. Tests for the lecture courses will be given on-line when you feel you are ready and, when completed, you will receive instant results.
Once students have completed the entire course as well as the final testing, they are eligible to receive their Professional Certified Florist certification and pins which will be presented at our annual convention in August.
Students will have 2 years from enrollment date to complete the entire program. Fees may be paid all at once at the beginning of the course or they may be paid as you go. Lecture classes are $75.00 each and hands-on are $150.00 each. Application fee and final testing fee is $150.00 each. Those paying up front will receive a $150.00 discount.
All flowers, hard goods and supplies for the hands-on classes are included in the price of the class. Hands-on classes will be held at Southern Wholesale in Little Rock. Dates for the next classes have not been determined. Check back on this website or contact Lou Cook at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for future plans.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED FLORIST PROGRAM COURSE OUTLINE AND CLASS SCHEDULE
CUSTOMER RELATIONS(On-Line)
Consumers today are knowledgeable, searching for good value and appreciate good service. This lecture course will give you a greater understanding of customer expectations, their buying styles, their opinions and how you can strengthen your customer base. Additionally the course will explore different selling styles and the techniques of good salesmanship.
DELIVERY MADE SIMPLE (On-Line)
Florists are among the last retailers who offer delivery services. This service attracts customers but it can be costly and can adversely affect our bottom line if not handled properly. This lecture course will take an in depth look at delivery practices and expenses and explain at length the practices and procedures which will insure customer satisfaction and guarantee profits.
THE ART OF EFFECTIVE VISUAL MERCHANDISING (On-LIne)
This lecture course enables you to properly evaluate your merchandising practices. It is very important to make your store inviting, interesting and encourage customers to return time after time. In this course you will learn how proper merchandising can do that for you when you know how to evaluate your merchandising areas and how to best utilize them. You will learn how to select inventory for your customer base, pricing and how to achieve creative displays.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (On-Line)
Finding and retaining good employees is essential in any business and particularly in flower shops today. This lecture course will delve into how best to recruit new employees, how to conduct an interview and once an employee is selected, how to make them productive and valuable. Nearly everyone has the potential to be a good and valued employee but that potential usually requires development. You will learn the proven strategies that motivate employees to attain the goals you set for them and how to keep them happy, productive and on the payroll.
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS (ON-LINE)
Creative marketing, advertising and promotions can spell success or failure for a business. This lecture course will give you a greater insight into creating successful advertising programs and exciting new ideas to promote your business and products. When implemented these ideas could significantly increase profits.
DAILY BUSINESS PROCEDURES (ON-LINE)
This lecture class will teach students to understand the many business procedures required to operate a profitable flower shop including how to read and understand financial statements, how to establish staffing levels, determine a break even point, budgeting, and developing cash flow forecasts are some of the topics covered.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN (ON-LINE)
Floral design is an art form and as in all art forms a clear understanding of the principles and elements of design is the road map to success. This course defines and explains in depth composition, harmony, focal point, balance, proportion, line, rhythm, texture and color.
CARE AND HANDLING OF CUT FLOWERS /FOLIAGES (ON-LINE)
This is a lecture course that explains in depth the factors that affect the quality of the flowers and foliages we purchase. It will further explain procedures required to properly receive and process flowers when they arrive in the flower shop. Methods of conditioning and hardening as well as preservative use will be covered.
CARE AND HANDLING OF FOLIAGE AND FLOWERING PLANTS (ON- LINE)
This is a lecture class and explains in depth plant anatomy and aspects of healthy plant development. Terms such as photosyntheses, transpiration, respiration, etc. and how they each affect plant life will be thorougly explained.
HANDS-ON CLASSES
Students will be required to bring their own tools and perhaps a towel or two to wipe your hands on.
CURRENT DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES
This is a hands-on class in which students will work on arrangements using today's design styles and techniques. The instructor will construct designs while giving a full explanation regarding construction, workmanship and how the principles and elements of design relate to that particular composition.
WEDDING DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES
This is a hands-on course devoted strictly to the latest design trends and techniques in wedding flowers. Proper construction of corsages, hairpieces, hand- tied bouquets, bridal bouquets and attendants bouquets wil be demonstrated and explained.
SYMPATHY DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES
Sympathy work is a very vital and important part of our business. This is a hands- on course in which students are taught the concepts of proper construction of wreaths, sprays, sympathy arrangements and casket pieces. Developing good working relationships with funeral directors will also be covered. Understanding proper use of foliages and other accessory materials such as ribbon, mosses and dried materials wilL be fully explained.
All hands-on classes will be held at Southern Wholesale Florist in Little Rock.
Students should bring their own tools and towels to wipe hands