The holidays bring a welcome revenue surge — but what happens when the tinsel settles and January arrives?
“For most florists, the calendar year is a rollercoaster of financial highs and lows,” says Derrick P. Myers, CPA, CFP, PFCI, in the December/January issue of Floral Management.
The intense pace of Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas, followed by quieter months that can strain cash flow. His advice: use this holiday momentum to plan ahead, build stability and create financial consistency throughout the year. Myers recommends three key actions:
1) Dive into your sales data, month by month, to pinpoint when revenue spikes — and when it dips. By building a rolling 12-month cash flow forecast, florists can predict expenses and prepare for leaner times before they hit.
2) Maximize profit while sales are high. Train your team to upsell and cross-sell, and make sure inventory levels match demand without creating costly waste.
3) During slower months, shift focus to efficiency: streamline staffing, cut nonessential expenses and negotiate better terms with suppliers.
4) Build a financial cushion by setting aside a percentage of profits each busy season.
“Even with the best planning, a seasonal business may need an extra boost to bridge a cash flow gap or invest in growth,” he notes.
Learn how to turn this holiday’s sales surge into sustainable success in “Turn Holiday Highs into Year-Round Gains” in the November/December issue of Floral Management.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
