Meet our students
Pearsons School of Floristry is proud to have many current students and graduates with wonderful floristry careers. You can meet some of them below...
Candice Thomas - PCDC Student
Candice is a student at Pearsons School of Floristry who also works as a florist at Pearsons Sydney CBD stores.
Click here to watch a video of Candice talking about her floristry work and studies.
Taken from an interview with Candice, now showing on SkillsOne TV (Foxtel Channel 183)...
"Finally Candice Thomas has a smile on her face! From hospitality to childcare to health science our talent has had almost every job under the sun… But, gee was she miserable until she found floristry! Before working with flowers, she found all her other jobs boring and hated the office environment. Initially unsure about pursuing floristry as it was a massive career change, motivation from her husband was enough to drive her, and she has not looked back!
We meet with Candice in the classroom at Pearsons where she is learning her skills, and we have a chat with her about the course and the direction she is heading. She also shows us how to make a bouquet!"
Click here
to watch the video.
Annie Yeo - PCDC Graduate
Annie left her marketing job to explore her creative side and graduated from Pearsons School of Floristry in 2003.
“Changing careers is hard work, but if you are passionate about your new career it will be the greatest decision you ever made.”
“PSF gave me the foundation to start my career in the industry,” says Annie, who has now owned her floristry business Flower Avenue for 5 years.
Annie's favourite part of being a florist is working on weddings and special events and her goal now is to do more extraordinarly events and functions that provide a challenge.
Check out Annie's website at www.floweravenue.com.au
Maria and Zoe Macarounas - PCDC Graduates
When Zoe Macarounas enrolled at Pearsons School of Floristry (PSF) in 2004 she could not have imagined that it would be the start of a new career for her mum Maria too!
After graduating from PSF with Certificate III in Floristry, Zoe began working for her local florist while also building her own business, Flowers by Zoe, from home. She soon needed an assistant, so mum Maria - a former high school English teacher - enrolled on the course.
"I never thought I had any creative flair, but now I have the practical skills to be a good florist," says Maria, who helps Zoe with her business and also works as a freelance florist at flower shops around Sydney.
Zoe has regular corporate clients, and she especially enjoys wedding work. "Wedding flowers are such an important part of the day. I always make sure my customers are happy and I get such lovely feedback."
Maria’s advice to budding florists? "Be prepared for early mornings at the flower markets and long hours, but it is rewarding when your creations put a smile on people’s faces."
Check out Zoe’s website at www.flowersbyzoe.com.au
Emma Fernandez - PCDC Graduate
There are many career options within the floristry industry, from working in a retail store, to becoming an event specialist, or running your own business.
“When I began my studies, I had no idea where floristry would take me,” says PSF graduate and mother-of-one Emma Fernandez.
In addition to her busy role as PSF's student support & administration officer, Emma now teaches our Commercial & Recreational floristry courses, works part-time for a busy Eastern Suburbs florist, and freelances as a wedding florist!
“I love the flexibility and variety of the floristry industry,” says Emma.
Berni Oakfield - PCDC Graduate
Berni has always been involved with flowers. Her uncle owned a florist in the UK where she is originally from, and she knew from a young age that it was her passion.
“I came across a Pearsons store in the city and chatted with a staff member who was studying at Pearsons School of Floristry,” says Berni. “I wasn’t interested in spending two years at TAFE, so I loved the idea of fast-tracking the course to one year.”
Since graduating in 2006, Berni is thrilled to have found a career she is passionate about, working for event design company Designs by Booshi. “I love the challenge of creating and I approach every event with passion.”
“Not long ago I worked on a fantastic wedding at the Opera House. I had to organise my team and we worked frantically under pressure to create the bride’s dream. It was a huge success and the bride said our designs were the best part of her wedding.”
Berni is soon to start specialising in weddings at Booshi. “It’s a fantastic opportunity as I love doing weddings. My new role will involve more frequent visits to the market, to keep up to date with what’s available. You never stop learning in this industry and its important to stay in touch with all aspects of the design world.”
Berni recommends floristry to anyone with a passion for flowers and an interest in design. Her word of advice: “Remember to use your projects from class as an opportunity to create tools that you can use in your future career. Floristry will become your life.”
Alice Morgan - PCDC Graduate
“My favourite thing about floristry is being creative and working with beautiful materials,” says Alice, senior florist and manager of the busy Pearsons MLC Centre store in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
Alice - a former disability support worker - graduated from Pearsons School of Floristry three years ago and hasn’t looked back. “Anyone can change their career. My advice is to just take that first step; you don’t need to study for long before you make the move.”
“As well as arranging flowers and serving customers, my average day includes unpacking and conditioning flowers, organising the store, ordering flowers and banking. Its hard work, but its all worth it when you happy and loyal customers.”
Pip Russell - PCDC Graduate
“I’m a creative person and have a love of arts. I needed a creative career and the idea of making a difference in people’s lives inspired me to study floristry.”
Pip completed her studies at PSF in 2003, then gained work experience and was employed by Flora International. For the last 3 years, she has owned her own business, Live the Day Florist in Camden.
“My average day involves going to the markets, talking to new brides - I see an average of 8 brides a week, my business in bridal is huge - preparing quotes, lots of cleaning, arrangements and general floristry.”
“My favourite thing about floristry is creating something that looks beautiful and will bring joy to someone. I love it when a bride comes back to say thank you - and they do!”
“I loved learning. My favourite part of the course was learning how to do something I wanted to learn and that I was passionate about.”
“Highlights of my floristry career include winning a local business award, having a good reputation, and owning a successful business.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t of completed the course. PSF has changed my life. It was a simple idea in the beginning and now I have all of this!”
“My advice to PSF students is to get out there and do work experience. You need to practice, practice, practice so that you have confidence in the work place and you really know what you are doing.”
Visit Pip's website – www.livetheday.com.au
Chris Thompson - PCDC Graduate
Green-fingered Chris was a gardener who was looking for a career that would offer longevity.
"Pearsons School of Floristry gave me the skills to start working in the industry, and now my goal is to own my own shop eventually," says Chris.
After graduating, Chris worked at the busy Pearsons Florist design centre at Stanmore.
His advise to those considering starting their floristry career: "Just enrol and go for it!"
To hear more about his experiences as a florist, and to see Chris at work, click here.
Ferdinando De Freitas - PCDC Graduate
Former monorail driver, graduate of PCDC and now owner of Garlands florist!
Garlands has built a strong and loyal following from corporate and event management companies and regularly works with major hotels on their event and wedding requirements.
Ferdinando has been invited to work on numerous ‘A’ list Sydney social events, and has been involved in many celebrity weddings across Australia.
Check out Ferdinando's website here.
Abeer Kamaz - PCDC Graduate
Abeer works part-time as a Training Co-ordinator and since 2005 has also run Mazzika - her own events and gifts business.
"I am actually very lucky to work part time in one place and have an opportunity to try a new career at the same time," says Abeer.
"Since graduating I have expanded my skills and now offer flowers for weddings, daily flowers, birthday and Valentines day flowers."
"Being able to do flowers for my customers myself has saved me a lot of money and made my business more profitable."
Karen Pettit - PCDC Graduate
Karen was a marketing manager who had always loved flowers and joined Pearsons School of Floristry to start her new career as a florist.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at PSF. The tutors were great and the lessons fun and informative."
"The course gave me the tools necessary to become a good florist. I’ve just completed my first wedding and plan to start a design studio with a couple of employees to help out."
Amanda Kopelke - PCDC Graduate
After 15 years in IT, Amanda was desperate to try something new so she enrolled in a Saturday PCDC class to ‘test the water’ and kept her full time job.
"Since graduating I’ve combined my passions for floristry and photography and developed a business from home."
"I have an online store selling my images on everything from greeting cards to canvasses. Its ideal for me as I can fit work in around my family."
See Amanda’s beautiful photography at www.amandakopelke.com
Nima Devi - PCDC Graduate
Nima studied business management at university and began a career in finance, but it just wasn't for her. "I hated my desk job and wanted a creative career I could enjoy. One day I woke up and knew that floristry was the answer, so I enrolled at PSF."
While studying, Nima soon found work as a junior florist for a large Sydney company, specialising in wedding and event work. Her advise to students is to get work in the industry as soon as possible. "You need to keep practising a backing up what you learn in the classroom with real-life experience to accelerate your learning."
Now she is managing a shop in Parramatta while the owner takes maternity leave. "I'm building my experience and learning how to run a shop. In the future I'd like to combine my business degree and floristry skills, maybe specialising in events."
Nima found the support of her fellow students was invaluable during the course. "Our weekly visits to the coffee shop after class were a ritual. I made awesome friendships."
"PSF gave me the skills I needed to get a new career and I'm definately happier now. I love seeing people's faces when they receive flowers; moments like that make me want to get up and go to work every morning."
Claudia Musumeci - PCDC Graduate
Former photographer and book-keeper, PSF graduate Claudia Musumeci continues to excel in her business since graduating in 2007!
"I have gained the confidence and to take on what's thrown at me. I do markets, everyday shop procedures, weddings, funerals, corporate... all occassions, all the book keeping and accounting."
"One of the other students from my my class is currently working for me. It's been three years that I've had the shop now - it's growing every day and I'm very happy!"
Claudia's business, Leppington Flower Market, recently won two awards in one week, taking out Sydney Markets Florist of the Month and winning a Small Local Business Award. Keep up the good work!
Philippa Montier and Fiona Ladogna - PCDC Graduates
Graduates Philippa Montier (a former chartered accountant) and Fiona Ladogna are now proud owners of Epping Floral Centre.
"We just wanted to let you know that Epping Floral Centre won Best Florist in the Northern District Business Awards - again!"
"Thank you to Pearsons for the great training."
Share your story!
Are you a current PSF student or graduate who would like to share your story or add your business website to our links page? Email school@pearsonsflorist.com.au
Media contact: PSF has a treasure trove of stories about students from all walks of life. Media enquiries: marketing@pearsonsflorist.com.au