Elyssa and Mel from Pearsons School to Pearsons Store
Introducing Elyssa and Mel, two cherished members of the Pearsons Family. They began their journey with a passion for flowers by completing our Career Course, Certificate III in Floristry, and are now thriving in our flagship store located in Bondi. We recently had the opportunity to chat with them about their experiences in the classroom and their lives as florists following their studies. This year, the Bondi team celebrated a significant achievement by winning the FRESH Retail Award for 2024!
How has life changed for you since completing the course?
Since completing the course last April, my life has undergone a complete transformation. My floristry career has really taken off—from starting with no background in the field to finishing the course in just three months. I began by doing weddings for family and friends, and now, I’m fortunate to work at Pearsons, primarily at the Bondi Junction location. – Elyssa
By doing the course, I had the time & space to learn key skills, I was prompted to use different flowers & techniques, and experiment as far as I wanted to with assessments. It was a great testing ground & gave me a framework of practical skills that I’ve continued to build on since. Now when I’m looking at work that inspires me I can figure out what’s required to bring it to life in my own way. - Mel
Have you always wanted to work in floristry, and if not, how did floristry come about for you?
As a child, I cycled through various career interests, often changing with the seasons. Although I struggled to settle on a definite path, floristry was always in the back of my mind due to my love for creativity and working with my hands. In 2023, I shifted careers from education and enrolled in the Cert III course with Pearsons. Everything has since fallen into place. – Elyssa
I was happily working in corporate roles, but slowly noticed a growing interest in more creative fields, design & florals. I reached the point where I couldn’t walk by a florist without walking inside. So I started by working weekends at events, then looked for opportunities to work in a retail florist. - Mel
What was it about Pearsons School that made you want to study with us?
I have always admired Pearsons for its esteemed reputation and the values it represents. A key factor for me was the opportunity to complete my certificate in three months and fully immerse myself in floristry. – Elyssa
What did you love about studying the ‘SFL30115 Certificate III in Floristry’ with Pearsons School?
1. Dedicated Trainers
My Trainers had genuine interest in sharing their expertise & appreciation for the craft. There’s only so much you can work out on your own, so I loved having Trainer’s share industry best-practice, review my work & provide feedback. Further to that, they also shared their previous work & fellow industry work that inspired them.
2. Enrichment Program
All the little things that go beyond the syllabus as a part of the Enrichment Program: Market Tours, Growers Tours, & Guest Speaker nights. I learnt so much through these, and in particular the Guest nights with demonstrations of how they make their signature designs. - Mel
How have you found searching for and securing work in the industry?
I’m incredibly grateful to have secured a position at Pearsons after completing my Cert III and to be a part of an amazing team. In just a year, I’ve gained so much experience and grown significantly as a florist. - Elyssa
What have you learned about floristry since leaving the classroom and working in the industry?
Transitioning from the classroom to working in a shop has taught me the true importance of the customer. It’s one thing to understand this concept theoretically, but working directly with so many wonderful people has shown me just how crucial it is to create something special for each individual. - Elyssa
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into floristry?
Just go for it! Explore the different roles within the industry, as they vary greatly. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and tackle whatever tasks need to be done—whether it’s washing vases or designing beautiful bouquets, every job is essential. – Elyssa
For me, it was confirming it was the right path before committing full time. I reached out to events florists for weekend work, then retail florists. It’s a great step to very quickly see what’s possible within floristry, fast paced, small to large scale work, bouquets to installations, traditional to modern etc. I said yes to a lot, rolled up my sleeves, figured a lot out & learnt so much from working alongside other florists & seeing their techniques. It’s the same advice I’d give to anyone wanting to start in floristry, but if that isn’t feasible for you, go to a workshop, go to the flower markets, see if you like it first. - Mel
To follow our team at Bondi Westfield
Instagram: @pearsonsfloristbondi
To follow Elyssa’s floral journey:
Instagram: @finchastudio
2025 is the Year to Start Something New... To start on your floral journey, discover our Career Course