Aurélie Dhuit
Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?
I took the 4 week career course in June 2016
What did you most enjoy about the course?
I enjoyed every aspect of it! Just being around beautiful flowers every day was a delight of its own. But I found 2 aspects particularly interesting. First, all the steps are taken for you to become the florist you want to be. We learnt basic technical gestures, but we were encouraged to find our own creativity and style. Secondly, I was very keen on the business part of the course. Whether you want to work for a florist or have your own business, you’re taught how a business works, from finances, to social media strategy, sales, logos, and much more…
In France we are not encouraged to work as a freelancers, so we are not often taught how, and I am an entrepreneur!
What was the most important thing that you learnt during your time at school?
Confidence
What was your first big break?
I think that my first big break was when I wore an apron for the first time. I felt like I was putting on a “uniform” and becoming a florist…
Then every first time is kind of a big break, my first time to the Rungis wholesale flower market, my first workshop, my first delivery, my first time talking to a future bride… I hope I will have many more of them! Learning and reinventing myself every day, that’s how I like to work!
What are you doing now?
I launched my workshop les Ombelles on November 2016. I’m specialising in events, especially weddings. I also offer to teach people to create floral arrangements during workshops. At the same time, I’m a freelance graphic designer, so for now I’m trying to make those two amazing jobs work together. Furthermore, because I’m so passionate about what I do, I’m currently working with my friend and business partner Claire Stickland on growing local flowers in our beautiful area in Normandy, Le Perche.
Describe a typical floristry day?
For the time being I don’t have a typical floristry day, but I will eventually, even though I find that routine doesn’t suit me very well. Luckily, creative jobs tend not to be predictable. So the day may start really early by going to the flower market or cutting my own flowers, then I could have some graphic design related work to attend to, or work on a floral arrangement or even work on social media, meet with my accountant or simply go for a walk in the forest, the best place to connect with creativity and nature of course!
And on some other days it could be all about floristry, installing an event, doing a workshop… or all about graphic design. Some days can be long, but I wouldn’t change a thing!
What’s been your highlight to date?!
Every project, every happy customer is a highlight. Being on Tallulah’s website next to incredibly talented florists is a highlight, for example. I think that my first wedding solo is going to be a big moment.
What advice would you give to a new student starting out?
Enjoy the time you’ll have during the classes. Try, test, fail, do it again, talk with teachers and students, confront your ideas! You will keep doing so afterwards, but you’ll have a business to run and clients to satisfy.
Click here to learn more about Les Ombelles
