Professional Floral Design Certificate
We're launching something different this autumn. Not just another course, but an intensive program where you'll spend real hours working with actual materials, learning techniques that commercial florists use every day in Baku and beyond.
Classes start September 2025, running through December. You'll leave with portfolio pieces you've created yourself and practical skills you can apply immediately—whether you're switching careers, starting a side business, or just want to understand what makes arrangements work.
What You'll Actually Learn
Four months feels long when you're reading about it, but once you're working with flowers, time moves differently. Here's what we cover—and why it matters.
Foundation Skills
Stem preparation, wire work, tape techniques. Sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this and wonder why their arrangements fall apart. We spend three weeks here because rushing these fundamentals shows up later.
You'll also learn seasonal flower identification—what's actually available in Azerbaijan markets versus what you see in European magazines. Makes a difference when you're sourcing materials.
Commercial Applications
Wedding bouquets, corporate installations, sympathy arrangements. Each one has different requirements and honestly, different profit margins. We'll talk about both the artistic side and what clients actually request.
October through November gets busier because you're building full arrangements for critique. Some students find this part stressful, others love it. Either way, you'll have completed work to show people.
Business Foundations
Pricing your work feels awkward at first. We cover material costs, labor calculations, and how to position yourself in the Baku market without underpricing. You won't leave here thinking flowers should be free.
Final month includes portfolio development and client communication basics. Not everyone wants to go commercial, but knowing these aspects helps even if you're creating for yourself.
Who's Teaching This
Three instructors with different backgrounds bring different perspectives. You'll rotate through all three, which keeps things interesting.
Leilani Vasquez
Lead Instructor
Worked hotel event florals for eight years before going independent. Specializes in large installations and has strong opinions about foam usage. Tough but fair with critiques.
Rowena Petrov
Wedding Specialist
Handles bridal work exclusively now but started in sympathy arrangements. Great at explaining color theory without making it sound like art school. Very patient with beginners.
Thessaly Ibrahimova
Business Development
Runs her own studio in Baku and teaches the commercial side. Previously worked corporate sales, which shows in how she approaches client relationships and pricing strategies.