Tips on Becoming a Freelance Florist

Why I Love Freelancing:

The value - you learn so many new skills. Every team is different, every venue is new, which means a whole new skill set you can be exposed to with every booked job.

Making yourself available globally opens up so many opportunities. I’ve been able to travel and work abroad doing what I love. It’s a pretty amazing gig. And they need more talented designers out there. 

3 Thing You Need:

• Flexibility - You’ll be working with so many new teams in new environments, be flexible! You have to be willing to start at the bottom if needed and work your way up. Things change quickly in freelance, by the end of the day, you could have a new role. The plan and team are always evolving.

• A Business Setup- Every state and country is different, but in California, as a freelancer, you are a business owner. That means setting aside your taxes accordingly and having business insurance and paying for your health insurance. 

• Creativity - There will be times when you need to make something out of nothing or work in the rain on 10-foot ladder. Creativity will help you make the most of any situation. 

Steps To Start:

Have some experience with flowers under your belt. You can start out freelancing without experience but it's going to be a slower process. I started in a shop and that gave me the foundation to build upon. I was able to enter freelancing at a higher rate (which makes the drawbacks of freelancing more doable)

Reach out to EVERYONE! Get that resume looking sharp, portfolio ready, and email it to as many designers as possible. Don’t be intimidated by someone’s work. They are just people like you and me. Anything is achievable.

Do a deep dive into social media. Find out who your dream team is. Check to see who they have tagged on their social media posts. You can find other freelancers this way and vendor that they work with. It’s a great way to get connected to the network.

Do not support someone who doesn’t support you. As a freelancer, you are providing a valuable asset to a brand. Don’t sell yourself short. If you start working with a team that puts you down, has a toxic work environment, or doesn’t align with your value, leave. I have seen too many of my designer friends get sucked into a toxic work environment, and get stuck there. Get out early. Don’t let your skills lead to their success. 

Be willing to work hard. Cleaning buckets and flowers is the name of the game. Long hours and early mornings. And you have to hustle, time is not our friend in events. But the payoff is getting to create something that you love and that brings others so much joy.

Make connections. Connect with the vendors, and teams at every company you work with. This will keep your calendar full and make work worthwhile!

Taxes. Making the switch to being self-employed is a big one. Seek out professional advice and set aside your taxes.

If you want to travel:

• Start by looking at luxury designers around the world. Luxury brands can afford to hire you pretty much right away because they need huge teams to execute their events. You can branch out after getting those initial gigs and connections.

• Look into your visa options. If you’re going to be working in a foreign country, you will need a working permit, unless the company that hires you is in the same country you are based. Visas can be affordable and a pretty straight forward process. Don’t be intimidated. But plan on spending at least several months in the country if you’re going to invest the time and money into a visa.

• Stay in touch with all of the companies and teams you work with. You never know when one day they will need a helping hand.  

If you have any questions or need some more advice, comment below or email me directly at Kayla.m@gatheredthebrand.com ! I wish you all success in your journey!

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A Floral Company’s Rebrand During a Pandemic ( Aka Time to Pivot - Again)

Welcome to the new brand! This launch is a true labor of love. So many hours poured into this. Helping hands from freelancers, friends and family. Built on a shoestring budget because you know, economic collapse and all. But let's rewind a bit, and start at the beginning.

GATHERED

EVENTS| STYLING| RETREATS |CURATED COLLECTIONS

“A big thank you to my inspiring friends all over the globe who are handling this pandemic with grace and continue to check on me. And a bigger thank you to my family, who has been patient with me through my wine, cake and crying phase. You helped shape this brand, and told me when to put the laptop down. You put a roof over my head and have given me unlimited support. Words are not enough to thank you.”

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kayla Montalvo. I am the owner and the designer behind House of Magnolias (now Gathered). I started my floral business 9 years ago. While my business has taken many forms, I’ve spent the last few years freelancing as a luxury floral designer. It’s been the most rewarding & challenging work of my life. 

The work eventually brought me to Australia. California and Sydney have opposite design seasons, and I was able to secure freelance work while my business has some down time. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. 

Australia felt like home. The people were kind and warm. The sights were incredible. The botanical elements were unreal. 

And then a passion project (wellness retreats) turned into a second brand in 2019. After a trip to Bali, I met Holly Sloof and we started the Glow Retreat House - Bali. With plans to have our first retreat June 2020. 

Well we know that 2020 has turned out to be a dumpster fire of a year thus far (stolen quote from colleague haha).The retreats were cancelled. And  all of my freelance work for the year lost.  My business in California, all the weddings and events, cancelled or postponed. I left Australia, and returned to the states empty handed. Both companies at a stand still.  Luckily I had my health and family to be grateful for. Luxuries that many haven’t had during these trying times.

I spent some time grieving, I ate too much cake and red wine. And then, after giving myself just enough time to let go of old expectations of my future, I decided it was time to pivot- yet again. 

Our dreams are bigger than ourselves and our purpose remains. Even in times such as these, I think that there is still a need for beauty. I have a women owned business and employees, mostly women, from all over the world - that needed work just as much as I do. When it felt almost pointless to try to resume business as normal, I just looked outside of myself for inspiration. Other women in my insutstry out there, doing what they could, to keep their shops open, employees paid, and their families fed.  My purpose was clear, bring some beauty back into the world, bring people together, and empower others to do the same.  

We may not be able to physically gather yet. And that’s okay because the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones is paramount. But we can still find ways to connect, celebrate and be inspired.  So we went digital! 

Gathered sells a variety of items guaranteed to bring you joy, all available online. We also have virtual services that you can now book directly through our site.  Check out our virtual plantscaping design services or our monthly succulent subscription. 

I’m looking forward to connecting with you all, vrtually and someday in person. I can’t wait to be inspired by what you all bring to the table, and what I, in return, can give back to you. I hope you love the new brand, inspired by my time spent in Australia and the Mediterranean. 

A big thank you to my inspiring friends all over the globe who are handling this pandemic with grace and continue to check on me. And a bigger thank you to my family, who has been patient with me through my wine, cake and crying phase. You helped shape this brand, and told me when to put the laptop down. You put a roof over my head and have given me unlimited support. Words are not enough to thank you.

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10 Things You Should Know About Florists

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1. They work crazy hours 

Not all florists are early risers by choice. But many are up before the sun. Major wholesale markets open at 3am and can start closing stalls at 8. That is a short window for florists to get in and grab the best product. Then they begin the second leg of their day. They are off to the shop or the studio to unload, condition, and create. This is another 8+ hours of their day. Throw an unexpected event into the mix, and florists can easily be living on 3 hours of sleep a night. 

2. They are on the hunt 

Nature is a fickle thing. A change in the conditions at the flower farm will turn your “perfect” ivory rose just a shade too pink. That means back to the drawing board for florists. They will call wholesalers, or physically trek their flower market, going from stall to stall, looking for that elusive shade of ivory.  

3. It’s a high pressure job

The work florists do is fueled by client’s emotions. Weddings, events, and holidays all come with big expectations from clients. And florists feel the pressure. Details need to be perfect. Timing needs to be spot on. Florists take this massive pressure and turn it into creative energy. It’s one of their super powers.

4. They are beauty seekers

My favorite quality is that florists see beauty all around them. That is part of their specialized skill set. They spot out and treasure a special heart shaped leaf, the changing tones of the season, and unique double petaled blooms.  Don’t be surprised if your florist friend stops and does a double take at particularly lush bush or wildflower. It’s just part of their nature to seek out beauty in all forms and take a moment to appreciate it.   

5. Their products die

Working with a perishable product is tough. Florists’ products need to be at its freshest. Once it arrives, it needs to be processed, conditioned and put into cold storage.  Even with all that effort, flowers will die sooner than expected. That’s an out of pocket expense for florists that can add up.

6. They work in challenging spaces

We’ve all seen the florists with stands on the streets. Beautiful blooms and bouquets ready to go on the sidewalk. But ever been by when the florist is opening or closing up? It’s a tiny space! It’s like playing tetris to get product in and out.  Ever wonder how studio florists do it without a cool room? They turn the design space into a cool room. They work in almost freezing conditions to keep designs looking fresh. Working in tiny, cold spaces is something many florists have to go through. It makes every aspect of their job, just slightly more challenging. 

7. They are multi talented

Mechanics. Architects. Artists. Curators. Laborers. Horticulturists. These some of the many hats that florists wear. They do it all! No matter if you’re the owner, designer or assistant, chances are you’ve had to wear many of these hats in one day.   

8. They get physical 

Bundles of flowers and foliage are heavier than they look. Add in anywhere from a dozen to hundreds of large buckets of water and you have enough to give you a definite back problem. It’s not all about lifting either. Florists run too! Sometimes a church will allot 15 minutes to install an entire set up. Florists lace up their shoes, get the team ready, and they run to make it happen. No sweat! Well, a little sweat.

9. They face their fears 

Think you are afraid of heights?  Creepy crawlers a deal breaker? Not for florists. To get the job done, they have to face their fears every day. They climb 15 foot ladders, on the edge of stairs or cliffs. They go up and down over 100 times for an event installation, regardless of their fear. As a florist you face your fears to get the job done and support you team.  

10. They care

Florists want every client to walk away happy. They will add in extra blooms to make sure your arrangement is just perfect. They will spend extra to get you your favorite color. They get emotional while writing out your card messages.  And here’s an inside secret - florists will go above and beyond for you every time if you appreciate them and their work.