Chapter 1 Careers in Floriculture 9 Retail fl orists are responsible for all aspects of their business, Figure 1-7. Ordering, purchasing, and pricing cut fl owers, foliage, blooming plants, containers, and supplies for everyday operations are the fl orist’s responsibility. The fl orist creates the fl oral designs or oversees their creation by staff, and often coordinates delivery to customers. Florists also deal with the necessary paperwork for accounts payable (money the fl ower shop owes to vendors, such as wholesalers) and accounts receivable (money that customers owe the fl ower shop for purchases). The owner will also need to consider advertising, marketing, and social media for the business. Floral Designer All retail fl ower shops need skilled fl oral designers. The number of designers required to run a business successfully depends on the size of the business. Large businesses and companies with multiple locations hire numerous designers with a variety of skill levels, from basic to advanced skill levels. wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-6. Some horticultural enterprises have fl oral departments as well as a nursery department that sells potted plants and garden supplies. Employees working in such a place must be knowledgeable in fl oral design, along with maintaining potted plants and planting annuals and perennials in a garden. Tyler Olson/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-7. As the owner of a fl ower shop, you may have to perform many functions, including ordering, payroll, and bookkeeping. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.