Home-Based florist for gifts and small events

Individuals buying gifts and sympathy flowers, plus couples and hosts planning small weddings, showers and dinners.

You charge per bouquet or arrangement, with delivery fees and set-up fees for events. Regular weekly bouquet subscriptions can add steady orders.

• Eye for colour and design
• Knowing which flowers last
• Time management around deadlines
• Customer service

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on customer pickups
• Commercial general liability insurance, especially for event work
• Fresh flowers spoil quickly, so order carefully to avoid waste
• Peak days like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are very busy, so plan your capacity
• Register your business name with your province and check GST/HST rules once revenue grows

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools, containers and first stock of stems you buy. Fresh flowers spoil quickly, so order carefully to avoid waste.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many orders and events you take on. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week, and peak days like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are very busy.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on customer pickups. Also register your business name with your province, check GST/HST rules once revenue grows, and consider commercial liability insurance, especially for event work.