How to Value Your Values When Working with New Clients

As florists, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles—designer, manager, accountant, and even gardener. The truth is, we can’t do it all. In the world of hospitality floristry, where trends like sustainability and kitchen gardens are becoming increasingly popular, it’s more important than ever to value your values with the work you do, especially when taking on new clients.

Today, I want to share some key strategies on how to stay true to your values while growing your business. These strategies not only ensure that you protect your energy and expertise but also help you deliver the best service to your clients without burning out.

Trending Toward Sustainability:

One of the trends I’ve seen rising is the concept of kitchen gardens in hotels. Back when I worked with Fairmont Dallas as their Artist in Residence (AIR), I pitched the idea of taking care of their garden and kitchen garden. It was a huge selling point because chefs aren’t gardeners—they’re busy running the kitchen. This is where florists like us can step in and offer a service that adds immense value. If you’re interested in becoming an AIR, I created a course for you that you can check out here. You can also rent it with eight others in our self-paced membership!

But here’s the catch: managing a garden on top of your existing floral accounts and designs can feel overwhelming. It’s a fast track to burnout if you try to do it all alone. That’s why it’s critical to hire for the areas outside your zone of genius. You can learn more about this in my book, available on amazon!

For example, I posted a job for a master gardener and hired her to handle the garden side of things. This allowed me to focus on what I do best—floral design and client relationships. If you’re worried about just starting out with hotels and not having a team, this is a great blog to read!

Building a Team to Honor Your Values:

It’s impossible for us to be amazing at everything, and that’s okay. When I realized I needed help managing the garden, I didn’t need a large team—just the right people in the right areas. Hiring out for specific roles allows you to grow your business without compromising your values or burning yourself out.

In the Hotel Florist Profit Method (HFPM), I go deeper into how to hire and build a team that supports your vision. You don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s managing kitchen gardens or overseeing floral installations, building a team allows you to stay focused on the work that aligns with your values.

I even created something for you to build teams around the holidays inside What to Include When Hiring for the Holidays Guide. You can also get my My Exact Holiday Contractor Contract Template here.

The Importance of Clear Communication:

When hotels reach out for large-scale projects like botanical or kitchen gardens, things can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to get crystal clear on the scope of work from the beginning. My foolproof strategy? Always walk the site with the decision-maker. This gives you the chance to ask the right questions, clarify expectations, and get a feel for the project’s budget and timeline.

The key here is education. If you’re nervous about pitching to a new client, remember that you are the expert. You’re there to guide them through the process and help them understand what’s possible. If you’re part of my Starter Kit or HFPM, you’ll find a guide with essential questions to ask during your walk-throughs, helping you gain clarity and confidence. I even created a holiday version for you here: Questions to Ask During Your Walkthrough - Holiday Edition

Proposals and Timelines:

Once you’ve walked the site and feel confident about the project, it’s time to create a proposal. Make sure to include a timeline, stating how long the proposal is valid. With inflation and rising costs, it’s important to protect your business by ensuring your quotes are time-sensitive. Students of HFPM can opt to gain access to the proposal and contract templates so they can feel confident as they move forward with these new clients.

I even go in depth on what to include in your proposal around the holidays: The Holiday Pitching Challenge

By honoring your values and setting clear boundaries, you create a business that works for both you and your clients. You don’t have to compromise on what’s important to you in order to grow. Let your values guide you, and success will follow. 

If you want to get even deeper on this and what it truly takes to have staying power in your floral business, here is 30 days complimentary access to ROOTED, The Masterclass.

Conclusion:

As you take on new clients and projects, remember to honor your values. By hiring the right people, maintaining clear communication, and setting boundaries in your proposals, you’ll build a sustainable business that allows you to thrive without burning out. If you need more guidance on how to structure these processes, check out the Hotel Florist Profit Method—it’s a game-changer and has helped florists just like you create over $7 MILLION in recurring revenue.

Already a florist and eager to expand into luxury hotels and create consistent income? Check out this insane 7-day challenge! It's packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

Keep blooming, 

Franceska