The Employment Allowance lets eligible employers reduce their National Insurance liability by up to £5,000 for the 2024/25 tax year. It’s designed to support smaller employers with their employment costs. In April 2022, the allowance increased from £4,000 to £5,000 and from April 2025 the allowance will increase to £10,500 a year. Employers’ Class 1 National Insurance contributions, rates, and thresholds for the tax year can be found on the government website. Am I eligible t

In the second in our series about growers, we meet Jo Munson from the very famous Smith and Munson, based in Lincolnshire and growing...

Launched in October 2024, the Institute of Flowers has been created to support and nurture Ireland’s 4000+ professional florists . It...

We all want to work more sustainably, but in an industry that uses a lot of plastic, it can be hard to know where and how to make a...

If you have lone workers, there are UK employment laws and essential health & safety requirements your business must adhere to.  It’s particularly important to make sure these employees are safe and well. Read this guide to gain insights into how to ensure the welfare of employees who work alone. It provides important information that can help you. What is lone working?

Last week I spent two days freelancing for another florist, even after three decades in the industry, I still find freelancing a...

So you've decided to start (or you already run) your own small business. Taking the plunge is a brave step and one that comes with its own unique set of challenges that can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Besides developing a fool-proof business plan and steering the ship, you’ll have to appoint and manage other individuals, if you're planning on expanding beyond a one person operation. With this in mind, you’ll need to be up-to-date and familiar with employment

A guide to bank fees for small businesses Keeping on top of your outgoings is essential for any business, but with so many fees...

We continue our series of videos, The Business of Floristry, bringing insight to the running of a florist business from our business guru, Karen Barnes. This video concentrates on key things you need to understand and consider around purchasing and wastage in your floristry business. Enjoy the rest of the series:

The Sustainable Floristry Network is an independent education organisation delivering online training for florists worldwide. Founded in...

Working for yourself can be freeing, but all the paperwork falls onto you, including insurance. You’re the expert at what you do, but you...

In an era where online shopping dominates, bricks & mortar local retailers still have a unique advantage: their community. Building...

Over the years I have met many florists from all around the world and I am always surprised when I hear these statements; “I love doing weddings and don’t have much funeral work, but that’s okay” “Give me a good funeral order any day, I don’t like the hassle of weddings” If I am completely honest, as a florist / floral designer, my heart has always been in weddings and events, but I also appreciate that creating funeral flower tributes is an important job that we florists do.

In the dynamic world of retail, where first impressions are crucial, mastering the art of crafting engaging displays in your store can be a game-changer. From the enchantment of a spellbinding window showcase to the appeal of a welcoming interior arrangement, visual allure is key to drawing in and keeping customers. So how do you make your shop stand out? Jo Biddle, course leader at The Floristry School at Sheffield College, has helped us put together a comprehensive guide ba

In my world, yes absolutely! A business coach can provide so much benefit to any business. When it comes to florists, it’s important to recognise that we can be so caught up in the day to day running of our business, that it can sometimes be difficult to "see the wood for the trees". My consultancy business has a constant flow of enquiries from florist owners who: have been in business for years but have lost sight of where they want the business to go. have staff concerns. w