Last Tuesday I spent the morning in a compost heap, not necessarily on my bucket list for 2026 but fascinating nonetheless. Along with some of their first ever florist customers, I was invited by Com-post to tour one of their commercial composting sites. Com-post are Hannah (florist) and Fiona (business dynamo) and they were one of the five finalists at the inaugural Sustainable Floristry Innovation Awards at the 2023 Interflora Word Cup. They had a simple but brilliant ide

Minal Patel is an email marketing coach  who helps solo service business owners turn email marketing from something they should be doing into something they actually send. She has been supporting small businesses with their email marketing since 2012 and is known for making email marketing simple, practical and far less intimidating for busy founders. For small business owners, building an email list is one of the most valuable things you can do for your marketing. Unlike soc

As a professional, you work hard to deliver fresh, long-lasting flowers to your customers. But what if, despite using reputable suppliers and high-quality products, flowers still wilt prematurely or lose their appeal too quickly in-store? The problem may lie not with the product, but with the care and handling processes along the floral chain. Even the best flower food or conditioner can’t compensate for poor hygiene, incorrect dosing, or improper storage temperatures. Every

Top industry consultant Karen Barnes shares her experiences of destination weddings; hard work but always fabulous!

Prepare your business for uncertainty with our practical scenario planning guide, designed for small business owners and decision-makers. Running a small business today means operating in a world where costs, customer behaviour, and regulations can shift quickly. For many owners, the challenge is not just reacting to change, it’s preparing for it. That’s where scenario planning comes in. At FSB, we see time and again that businesses which think ahead are better positioned to

A popular and well-known indoor houseplant, the Peace Lily (or Spathiphyllum wallisii to give it its botanical name) is fairly easy to look after and will reward the dedicated plant parent with not just glossy green year round foliage, but elegant white flowers too. And that’s not all , it will earn its position by absorbing pollutants in the air, breaking them down to use as microbes in its compost. Its air cleaning abilities have put it into NASA’s top ten houseplants, as i

If you’re looking for the creative inspiration and technical expertise to take your wedding floristry to the next level, then put this date in your diary.   4‑Day Wedding Floral Workshop: 8th – 11th June 2026 Led by internationally acclaimed floral designers Max van der Sluis, Per Benjamin and Vincenzo Antonuccio, this four-day training programme offers expert tuition and the insider knowledge to craft high quality wedding bouquets, centrepieces and installations with confide

With more people than ever working under non-standard contracts, it can be hard getting payslips right. Croner are here to help.

Timeless roses and a soft pastel colour palette. Su Whale describes the detail.

They are fabulous as cut flowers, everyone knows that, but as an indoor plant, Zantedeschia or Arum/Calla lily, are equally spectacular. Tall and impressive, their stylish arrow shaped leaves and elegant trumpet blooms mark them out as an exclusive, luxury buy.  Native to South America, Zantedeschia are a tropical flower in the Araceae plant group, the same as Anthurium. Getting to know the origin of your plants is always useful, as it gives you and your customer a better und

Do you know what the term ‘pro rata’ means and how to work out pro-rata pay and holidays for your employees? Croner explain.

Su Whale shares her professional tips for effective, good quality basing work.

In February the Church of England Synod passed the Diocesan Synod Motion introduced by the Diocese of Worcester, encouraging churches and cathedrals to consider creating floral arrangements without floral foam and using UK-grown flowers and foliage. It caused a wave of anxiety amongst florists thinking that there was going to be a full ban that would extend to all of us.  Luckily this motion does not introduce full bans or rules and is very much for guidance, and is advisory

Gross misconduct allows UK employers to summarily dismiss an employee without notice or pay, but only after following a fair disciplinary process (investigation, hearing, right to appeal) in line with ACAS guidelines. To minimise unfair dismissal risks, clearly define gross misconduct in contracts/handbooks, document everything thoroughly, and send a precise termination letter stating reasons, termination date, and appeal rights. What is gross misconduct? What is the best app

Easter is a growing retail opportunity for florists. Easter is not just a small seasonal event—it’s a major spring retail opportunity driven by home decorating, gifting, and family gatherings. By focusing on seasonal flowers, gift bundles, table décor, and early promotions, florists can significantly increase sales during the Easter period. I have found that over the years in retail floristry, Easter has had its highs and lows, but in recent times, especially in the UK, spend