One of the biggest mistakes I see florists make—especially when working with hotels—is not getting a contract signed before starting work.
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement when a hotel is eager to move forward. They’ll say, “We’re ready! We want you to start immediately. The contract and payment will follow.” And naturally, you want to jump in and impress them.
But here’s the reality: hotels move at their own pace, and if you don’t have a contract, getting paid will not be their priority.
That’s why strong boundaries are non-negotiable when running a successful floral business. Listen to the full podcast episode here.
Why You Should Never Start Without a Signed Contract
Many new hotel florists take a hotel’s word at face value. And while most hotels intend to follow through, the truth is that your payment and contract will often fall to the bottom of their priority list.
What happens when you start without a contract?
– Weeks go by with no payment.
– You front thousands of dollars in floral costs.
– Emails and invoices are ignored.
– You’re left chasing after what you’re owed.
I’ve seen florists rack up $60,000 in unpaid costs because they believed a client would eventually sign the contract and pay. And sometimes, the only way to get their attention is to pull your flowers from their lobby until they pay you.
Avoid these situations by building boundaries from the beginning. Need more guidance on what to put in your contracts?
How to Set Clear Boundaries in Your Floral Business
Do not start any work until the contract is signed and the first payment has been confirmed.
If they delay signing, and you’ve already started, introduce new terms.
Example: “I noticed our contract hasn’t been signed yet. Moving forward, I will be charging a weekly rate until we finalize our agreement, due to company policy.”
Charge an admin fee for the inconvenience.
Example: “Due to this delay, an additional administrative fee will be applied per week. I trust this will be resolved soon.”
If they keep stalling, stop the work.
No contract, no flowers. Simple as that.
These are not comfortable decisions, but they are necessary. Your time, talent, and resources are valuable—and they deserve to be protected.
Shifting from People-Pleasing to Standing in Your Power
There are two ways to approach boundaries:
Prostitute Energy:
– “They promised they’ll sign it soon.”
– “I’ll just wait a little longer.”
– “I don’t want to seem difficult.”
Lover Energy:
– “Here’s the new plan, until the contract is signed.”
– “I value my business, and I expect my paying clients to as well.”
– “I trust that the right clients will respect my time and policies.”
If you find yourself constantly waiting on clients, it’s time to reclaim control. You get to change the terms and conditions at any time to better support your business and well-being.
Final Thoughts: Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Respect
- You are not at the mercy of your clients.
- You are allowed to demand professionalism.
- You are in control of how you run your business.
If you’re ready to create a business that respects your time and energy, it starts with setting firm boundaries—before you ever pick up a single flower.
Already a florist and want to feel confident in your pitch to land luxury hotels? Come join over 140 florists in the 7 Day Challenge!
Keep blooming, Franceska
PS: Did you know I have a bestselling book on working with hotels? It’s available on Amazon! Discover the “cliff-notes” of our high level group coaching program, the Hotel Florist Profit Method, where you can learn more about what flowers to use, design mechanics and more on this topic!
