Lorraine Hanshaw & Lauren Curry - Sarah-Ann Florists

Overcoming her initial scepticism, London florist Lorraine Hanshaw has taken shy 20-year-old Lauren Curry as her apprentice – an arrangement which has helped both of them as Lauren has gone from strength to strength winning competitions and bringing kudos to Lorraine’s business.

Lauren Curry

“The combination of college, working with me and her involvement in competitions is one that works.”

 

Apprenticeships in Floristry

Lorrraine started working in a florist when she was 15, working her way up until she took over the Sarah-Ann shop in 2007. Lauren started as apprentice six months later. Lauren had worked with several florists, but her confidence was low.

Lorraine said: “I admit at first I was a bit sceptical about the apprenticeship, but now I’m a convert. The apprenticeship is good for several reasons.

“There’s so much competition out there and this business is more of a profession than it was in my day. The apprenticeship will open more doors for Lauren, make her a better designer and teacher, make her more business-minded and understand the financial side.”

Lauren’s skill and confidence has grown. “The combination of college, working with me and her involvement in competitions is one that works”, says Lorraine. “And Lauren makes a difference to the business financially. Whenever she is in the paper she mentions Sarah-Ann Florists. The customers love her and they come in and greet her when she has won something else.”

Lorraine says she would take another apprentice, if she could find one with Lauren’s passion and enthusiasm.

Lauren has taken part in many competitions including:

• Bournemouth and Poole’s Student Show – 2006
• Regional Heats UK Skills – 2008
• Royal Horticultural Society in Tatton Park Show – 2008
• Society of Florists – Cirque De Fleurs – 2008
• RHS Young Chelsea Florist of the Year – 2009.

“I never set out to be a florist. Originally I was taking an art and design course at college, but not enjoying it I started looking for a job.

“I never imagined myself doing an apprenticeship either, just getting a job, but it’s proving to be a good way of training. The apprenticeship means I will be able to run my own business one day. Working at college and in the shop means I can learn the practical and the day-to-day business skills of a florist – one feeds the other.

“I enjoy both and now I really like meeting the customers and telling them what’s possible for their flower arrangements.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships

Find out what it takes to start your career in floristry