I have a job, but I really like flowers. Should I resign and enter the flower industry?

[Hua11.com Original] Many floral enthusiasts who are currently at work or doing other jobs will ask a question when consulting Hua11.com: "Teacher, I'm still at work, but I really like flowers and plants. I'm hesitating whether to resign and do floral art. Can you analyze it for me?"

This article is a detailed response to this common question:


I. Types of Work

No matter what job we are engaged in or preparing to engage in, it can be divided into the following three categories:

1. What you love;

2. What you are good at;

3. What is socially recognized.


Let's take a few examples:

- You love flowers, so the flower industry is "what you love."

- Although you don't love your current job, you are very good at doing it. For example, maybe your major is IT or finance, and you are a core figure in the company.

- Although you don't like your current job, it is "socially recognized," which means it is needed by society, such as office staff, customer service, sales, etc.


After understanding the classification of work, let's take a look at the following career nature analysis chart:

Any type of job, combined with your own preferences and conditions, can find the corresponding position in the above chart:

1. You love this job, and society needs it very much, but you are not good at it: then you need to learn.

2. You love this job, and you are very good at it, but society doesn't need it: then you may face the predicament of having no customers.

3. You are very good at your job, and society needs it very much, but you don't love it: then you will work relatively tiredly and have no motivation.

Through this chart, we can clearly understand that what we are pursuing is the "ideal area" in the middle. This area has the greatest spiritual satisfaction, career achievement, and can make money.


Now let's discuss whether you, as someone who likes flowers, should enter this industry. And what you need to pay and gain when entering this industry?



II. Career Analysis of the Flower Industry

According to Hua11.com's analysis of students' learning intentions, there are generally two occupations that individuals aspire to engage in after entering the industry:

1. Florist

2. Owner of a flower shop or floral studio

Furthermore, these two roles can be interconnected.


Let's talk about florists first.

First and foremost, it's evident that you have an affinity for this profession. Working with a diverse array of colorful flowers every day is an ideal career that appeals to almost all women and some men. This sentiment transcends mere words.

Secondly, the demand for flower use is in the early stages of industry expansion. For a detailed industry analysis, you can refer to Hua11.com's article: "[Hua11.com · Industry Analysis] How much profit can a flower shop make? Are flowers a huge profit? How is the floral industry?" Additionally, from the historical turnover perspective of the chain physical flower shops we operate, revenue has been consistently increasing year by year. Whether for personal or commercial use, the demand for flowers continues to rise. Florists are indispensable to flower shops and floral studios. Therefore, the profession of a florist is undoubtedly "socially recognized."

Lastly, considering that you have not previously been exposed to this industry or have only explored it based on interest, you currently fall into the category of "not good at" the profession of a florist.


Now, let's compare your situation with the career nature analysis chart mentioned earlier. You find yourself in the "① Need to learn: You are not proficient in what you do" area. Your goal, however, lies in the "Ideal area: A field that aligns with what you love, what you excel at, and what is socially recognized."

But how challenging is it to achieve this goal? Based on tracking and analyzing the experiences of Hua11.com students after graduation, the difficulty varies from person to person, but generally, it is not insurmountable. Various factors contribute to this:

1. Seriousness of Learning: Hua11.com emphasizes note-taking for students.

2. Diligence in Practice: Students can practice repeatedly, guided by teachers, throughout the process at no additional cost.

3. Comprehension: The degree of acceptance can be improved (addressed through the second point).

4. Course Design Rationality: Hua11.com's courses are derived from real-world experience, making them highly practical.

5. Your Determination: Ultimately, your commitment to shaping your career direction matters.

Results vary: Some students start their own businesses before completing all the courses and achieve excellent outcomes, while others complete all the courses but hesitate to take action.

Regarding the first four points, Hua11.com provides support through its management system. However, the fifth point—your life direction—is something you must navigate independently. You are responsible for your own path.


So, if you become a florist, what can you gain?

The profession of a florist, in a broad sense, belongs to the handicraft industry. Handicrafts possess a unique characteristic: once you master them (regardless of the extent), they stay with you for a lifetime and are never suddenly "forgotten." Similar to learning to ride a bike or swim, once acquired, these skills remain with you indefinitely. Even in the face of rapidly advancing AI (Artificial Intelligence), many jobs may be replaced by robots, but I believe handicrafts could be the last bastion. The creativity inherent in the handicraft industry cannot be replicated by machines.

From an investment perspective, handicrafts are "extremely profitable"—a one-time investment that remains perpetually useful. Besides handicrafts, I struggle to think of any other profession with this enduring quality.


Additionally, the profession of a florist has a crucial attribute: accumulation. What does this mean? It implies that you continually improve, never regress. As society evolves and time passes, people's technical expertise and aesthetic standards develop. For instance, consider someone who held the title of "floral arranger" a decade ago (the previous professional certification for florists, now obsolete). Suppose you haven't been actively involved in the industry during the past ten years but now wish to re-enter it. In that case, all you need to do is acquaint yourself with current popular techniques and styles through training institutions attuned to market trends. You can swiftly resume your old business, starting from a higher point than others and learning faster. This process embodies the principle of "early adopters benefit first," creating a virtuous cycle.

Consider this: in today's rapidly changing society, which industry allows continuous accumulation and improvement? Many fields exhibit the opposite trend. Notably, the IT/Internet industry experiences significant shifts within short time spans (often referred to as "wind gaps"). Three months ago, the landscape could be entirely different from today. While such professions may generate substantial short-term income, they risk being short-lived unless they adapt and evolve rapidly. Technology updates at breakneck speed. From my perspective, true accumulation is elusive in such professions (except for companies with their own ecosystems).


Another gain, albeit less rationally quantifiable, holds immense personal significance: floral art belongs to the "beauty" industry. Engaging in this field brings happiness, cultivates both inner and outer aspects, and fosters a deeper appreciation for beauty and life. Flowers themselves symbolize beauty. Whether it's the beauty of existence, interpersonal relationships, or the material and spiritual realms, immersing oneself in this industry subtly transforms one's perspective.

Consider it a rare form of spiritual nourishment.


Okay, let's delve into the profession of "owner of a flower shop/floral studio" below.

When it comes to being a boss, it involves much more than just handicraft skills. You'll need knowledge spanning the entire process of opening a store, managing various aspects (storefront, personnel, finances, marketing, etc.), and maintaining the smooth operation of the flower shop or floral studio.


In general, you'll fall into one of the two categories of "① Need to Learn: You're not proficient in what you do" or "③ No Motivation: You don't love what you do and feel exhausted"

If you find yourself in the second category (③ No Motivation), it's unfortunate—you might not be well-suited to be a boss. In that case, consider transitioning to the role of a "florist." You can still find happiness and enjoy a worry-free experience.

However, if you fall into the first category (① Need to Learn), don't worry. You simply need to supplement your relevant knowledge. While it may seem complex, many students have successfully opened flower shops, proving that it's not as daunting as it appears. Just take action—even learning on the job is an option.

The investment required for flower shops isn't substantial (refer to: "[Hua11.com · Flower Shop Startup Series 1] How much does it cost to open a flower shop or a floral studio?"). Floral studios can be started with extremely low costs (refer to: "[Hua11.com · Flower Shop Startup Series 2] What is the difference between a floral studio and a flower shop?"). The risk is minimal. Give it a try and enrich your life experience!

Now, let's address the operation, marketing, and management of flower shops. Hua11.com's comprehensive guide, "How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio," spans 150,000 words. I recommend reading it thoroughly to minimize mistakes.



III. Avoid the "② No Customers" Zone

Finally, let's analyze the challenge of transitioning from the "② No Customers: Society does not recognize what you do" area to the ideal zone.

When society doesn't recognize your work, there's no audience or buyers. Your creations remain confined, admired only within the confines of your workspace. Despite your passion or expertise, investing time and energy without recognition isn't cost-effective from a business standpoint. Profit is a crucial goal in any career, and violating this principle may lead to regret—especially as you age and lack capital.

If your current situation falls into this category, consider it a fresh start for your career. Reflect carefully on your next direction.



The above analysis and suggestions from Hua11.com regarding entering the floral industry aim to inspire those who are still uncertain. If you've decided to embrace this beautiful industry, I recommend continuing to read Hua11.com's article: "[Hua11.com · Career Analysis Series 3] How to choose a flower arrangement training institution? A detailed comparison of 4 learning methods" It will guide you toward the best path for entering this industry.



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This article is an original creation by Hua11.com and is included in the “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” Ebook. The content of this article may be periodically updated and is initially published on the Hua11.com official website blog. You can find the article at this link: https://hua11.com/blog/4665.html.

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