What it means to be a florist…
A local florist at Joy Flower Shop located in Carmichael, CA 95608
I got into the flower business because I loved arranging flowers. I love picking and choosing from the various types of flowers, greenery, colors and vases at my disposal. One moment I can be making a fun, playful flower bouquet of colorful and vibrant daisies, roses, and lilies. The next moment I can be making a romantic bouquet of lush red and pink roses and baby breath with greenery in a glass vase. Although I got into this business to arrange flowers, I realized that this is not my only job as a florist. I soon realized that my job was to send a message from the sender to the recipient. A spouse can send a dozen red roses to his wife to express his enduring love and appreciation for his wife. A family friend can send an all-white sympathy bouquet to express his condolences and prayers. A best friend can send a playful, fun, vibrant flower bouquet to celebrate a birthday or promotion. Whatever the message is, my job is to show that message through flowers. Showing the message correctly involves knowing which colors and flowers to choose. For example, an all-white flower arrangement of roses and hydrangeas is typically used for a wedding celebration. However, an all-white flower bouquet of roses and carnations can just as easily be used for a funeral service. Red roses can be a sign of romantic interest while yellow roses usually express friendship and a platonic relationship. In a way, a flower bouquet is like a “card,” it presents a message to the receiver. And it’s my job that this card says the right message.
-Florist at Joy Flower Shop, Hye Kim
