Florist challenges Louisiana state licensing laws

In the United States, a professional florist who has been trading since 2000 despite failing Lousiana State's licensing exam, has filed a lawsuit because of 'the test is outdated, overly subjective and is administered by florists who have an incentive to flunk would-be competitors.'

A Business Week article reports that Monique Chauvin and two of her employees at Mitch's Flowers, have a lawsuit filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against state Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain and other members of the state Horticulture Commission, claiming that there is 'no legitimate reason for the government to dictate who can and who cannot arrange flowers.'

Monique Chauvin said: "I think healthy competition is good, and the customers will tell us if we're good," and continued, "Why should the government be telling me if I'm good or not?"

It is an all too familiar theme of late and one that Landscape juice discusses regularly; it's my belief that in going forward, we should all focus on personal professional development and not restrictive practices that hinder legitimate business from winning work in their marketplace.

Let's focus on getting every business to be honest at what rung of the ladder they operate at and dissuade them from punching above their weight.