The one thing career changers have in common is a desire to do something more fulfilling. Consultancy Careershifters, which published the State of Career Change Report 2026 in April, found that 41 per cent of 11,567 career changers in its survey were motivated by poor work-life balance and wanted to move into a different industry. And it’s not often driven by money. In a recent survey of Good Housekeeping readers, ‘better pay’ ranked fifth among reasons to change jobs. Top of the list was a better work-life balance.
The wellness positives of a move into a garden-related role are obvious: hopefully less stress, time outdoors and exercise all day long. But there are negatives, too – low pay and working outside in all weathers if you’re a gardener, getting to grips with running a business if you go into floristry or garden design. People who are leaving careers as lawyers or working in the private sector will be taking a significant pay cut. Is the lifestyle really worth it?
“I imagined I’d have far more freedom and spend less time thinking about work.”
Shilpa Reddy, ex-doctor, now florist and founder of Shilpa Reddy Flower Design
Shilpa Reddy’s first career as a doctor working in anaesthesia was incredibly rewarding, but after 15 years, she wanted to do something creative. “I spent most of my working life in operating theatres with no natural light, and after years of that I found myself craving colours, seasons and being outdoors.”
“The change wasn’t a sudden, dramatic moment. It was more of a quiet feeling that kept growing until I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I just reached a point where not trying felt scarier than trying,” Shilpa says.
A switch from healthcare to floristry meant running her own business, which had its challenges. “Nobody warned me that creating beautiful work is only half the job. When I started, I genuinely thought that if I made lovely floral designs, people would somehow find me. It sounds ridiculous now, but I had absolutely no understanding of sales or marketing. I thought quality alone would do the talking. Looking back, I was probably a bit naive, but in a strange way, that helped me. If I’d known everything I know now about websites, marketing, social media, pricing, cash flow and all the hats you have to wear as a business owner, I might have talked myself out of starting.”
She misses her colleagues, some of whom she had known since she was 18, training together, working long shifts in a high-pressure environment. “I miss the camaraderie and the very specific sense of humour that develops in hospital teams. Running your own business can be lonely. I have a fantastic team around me, but ultimately the responsibility sits with you.”
“One of the biggest benefits is being my own boss. I took to that like a fish to water. I don’t know what that says about me! But I loved it from day one.
“When I first changed careers, I imagined I’d have far more freedom and spend less time thinking about work. The reality is, I’m not sure that’s entirely down to the job. I thought about anaesthesia all the time when I worked, and I think about flowers all the time now.
Twelve years on, Shilpa’s business is thriving, and she has no regrets about her career change. She loves working with her hands, choosing which projects she takes on, and the sheer variety of working on everything from creating wedding displays to creating Christmas installations to running a flower school.
“Of course, the reality of running a business is that there are spreadsheets, emails and plenty of less glamorous jobs too. But more than ten years on, I still feel lucky to spend my days working with flowers, seasons and creativity. I can’t imagine many better ways to make a living.”
Follow Shilpa Reddy @shilpareddyflowers
“I put my heart and soul into it. I was poor but happy.”
Sarah Wilson-Frost, ex-HR professional, now gardener at RHS Garden Hyde Hall
When Sarah Wilson-Frost was young, she wanted to be a country park ranger, but she was good at exams, and a career in gardening was considered less academic. After 13 years working as a recruitment specialist in contract compliance, she decided it was time for a change. She enjoyed her job, but she wanted to spend more time outdoors. At 41, she thought she’d left it too late to reinvent herself, but she started looking into gardening qualifications.
“I thought about reducing my hours at work and doing a course one day a week, and then I saw an advert for the RHS apprenticeships. I applied, thinking “I’ll never get that”, and was fortunate enough to be offered a position. My initial thoughts were I’ll have a lovely two years and learn new skills which will help me in my garden and maybe help me get work in some private gardens.”
Sarah went on to complete a three-year training course with the RHS at Hyde Hall in 2017, working in the garden full-time and attending one day of college. The college course was paid for, but the pay as an apprentice was far less than she had been earning. “I loved it so much and wanted to know everything. I put my heart and soul into it. I was poor but happy.”
“The downside was financial. I’m on a better salary now, but the salaries don’t compare to the private sector. It should pay much better than it does, and somewhere in history, something has gone wrong.”
Once she qualified, Sarah found a position gardening in a cemetery, before finding a role six months later back at Hyde Hall.
“We’re thought of as unskilled workers, labourers, but it’s an industry that you never stop learning in. It keeps people passionate.” She has a varied role that is not only physical, but mentally demanding, with a scientific side to it, from learning about soil science to managing pests and diseases, and improving biodiversity. “I manage trainees and provide adult education, I run an ornamental grasses course and write articles for magazines. We all manage our own areas of the garden.”
Despite the salary cut, Sarah relishes her role as a horticulturalist and biodiversity advocate. “I get a better quality of life. I would rather be happy every day than have a wonderful, expensive holiday twice a year.”
Follow Sarah Wilson-Frost @beanrascal
“I constantly underestimated how long tasks would take and, as a result, underpriced my work.”
Felicity O’Rourke, ex-management consultant and airline pilot, now garden designer
“I’ve never been afraid of changing direction,” says garden designer Felicity O’Rourke. First a management consultant, then an airline pilot, Felicity started a course in garden design after a difficult period in her personal life.
“After taking a break from flying to raise my three daughters, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What followed was a challenging few years of treatment, recovery and, ultimately, a battle with clinical depression. During that time, my garden became my refuge.”
Felicity had always loved plants and nature, but the hours she spent in her garden while she recovered made her feel calm. “My psychiatrist encouraged me to think about what I wanted from the next chapter of my life. After a lot of soul searching, I signed up for a one-day introductory garden design course. I absolutely loved it. For the first time in years, I felt like I was using both the creative and analytical sides of my brain.”
Although a new direction gave her a sense of purpose, it came with its own challenges. “One of the biggest challenges was learning how to properly value my own time. In the early days, I constantly underestimated how long tasks would take and, as a result, underpriced my work. Learning to recognise the true value of both my time and expertise was a steep but important learning curve.” She also hadn’t anticipated how much self-promotion she would need to do. “Selling myself and my business felt quite uncomfortable at first.”
The highlight of being a garden designer, she says, is the thrill of seeing a project take shape in the real world, as well as watching her clients’ excitement when their garden is transformed.
“I love the variety that garden design offers. No two days are the same.” She sometimes misses the excitement of flying and the adrenaline, but has found the change rewarding.
“In a small way, I feel I am helping to reconnect people with the natural world while creating places that are beautiful, restorative and environmentally beneficial. That’s an incredibly uplifting feeling and, unlike the thrill of a take off or landing, it continues long after the project is finished.”
