Manipur’s diverse landscape is home to a variety of flowers, from the striking gomphrena to the elegant rose. These blooms not only enhance the region’s beauty but also support local livelihoods. One such entrepreneur is 27-year-old Khundrakpam Rani from Tera Lukram Leirak in Imphal West district, who has turned her passion for flowers into a thriving venture.
Growing up surrounded by flowers, Rani developed a deep appreciation for them, especially the ones in her family’s garden. “ “I always loved flowers. We had so many beautiful blooms in our garden. The sight of fresh flowers would fill me with joy, but I hated seeing them wilt after being plucked,” says Rani, with a nostalgic smile.
This childhood fascination with flowers, combined with her mother’s shared love for gardening, sowed the seeds of her business.
Rani’s mother, Khundrakpam Nandarani, recalls how, together, they grew a variety of flowers like gomphrena, dahlias, roses, celosias, helichrysum, chrysanthemums, and portulacas in their garden. “We spent hours tending to the flowers, and I would watch my daughter marvel at their beauty,” Nandarani shares.
It was no surprise that Rani pursued her master’s in botany from Manipur University. Her love for flowers naturally extended into a desire to learn more about plant life. “My mother’s love for flowers also influenced me. She would teach me about the different flowers, and that inspired me to explore the world of plants on a greater level,” she tells The Better India.
‘Why not use the wildflowers?’
During her studies, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, the young entrepreneur stumbled upon an idea that would mould her future.
With lockdowns in place and nothing much to do, she spent most of her time scrolling through social media. She noticed many people turning their passions into successful ventures, which inspired her to take the plunge. “I thought to myself, why not use the wildflowers I love so much to create something beautiful and enduring?” she says. Thus, ‘Dry Bloom’ was born in December 2020.
Starting a business, especially in a niche market, presented a distinct set of challenges. “I was sceptical about experimenting with wildflowers,” she admits. “I wasn’t sure if people would accept it or if they would think it was odd. But I decided to give it a try anyway.”
The first wildflower Rani worked with was flamingo celosia, which she found growing by the riverside in Sekmai, near her home. She harvested the flowers, dried them, and created a beautiful bouquet. “I was so nervous, but when I posted my first product online, people started showing interest. The positive feedback made me believe that I could make this work,” she says.
Her initial journey into business was not easy. At first, her mother, Nandarani, was not very supportive. “She was worried about the risks of starting a business, especially since I wasn’t from a business background. She wanted me to pursue a government job, something more secure and sustainable. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when I first shared the idea of starting a wildflower business.”
From scepticism to support: Her mother became her biggest ally
But her determination to pursue entrepreneurship was unstoppable. “I reassured my mother, asking for time to prove I could build a profitable business,” she says. She continued to post her products on Instagram, gaining a small but loyal customer base.
Over time, her mother’s views changed. “I saw how much effort Rani was putting into this business. Her passion moved me, and I decided to value her hard work by providing a helping hand in her business,” says Nandarani, now a full-fledged partner. “Eventually, I realised that this was her calling, and I decided to support her.”
Another significant hurdle was convincing people that wildflowers are a safe and valuable product. “Most people around me were doubtful when I shared my idea. They didn’t think anyone would buy wildflower products,” Rani recalls. But word of mouth and positive customer reviews slowly helped her overcome these doubts.
As her business grew, so did the support from her community. “My mother became my biggest ally, and together, we expanded Dry Bloom,” she says. The duo began experimenting with a variety of products, ranging from wildflower bouquets to floral accessories such as bracelets, hairpins, and headbands. “We started dyeing the flowers to add more colour and variety,” says Nandarani. “It was exciting to see people respond positively to our creations.”
How Rani started earning with her flower business
In the early years, while balancing her business with her third year of master’s studies, Rani never imagined how far she would come. Today, Dry Bloom generates a monthly revenue of approximately Rs 2 lakh, despite setbacks caused by the recent turmoil in Manipur.
“We faced a significant loss during the unrest, with earnings dropping to Rs 50,000,” she admits. “But we are slowly getting back on our feet.”
As the business flourished, Dry Bloom expanded beyond Manipur, shipping products across India. What started as a small venture catering to locals five years ago has now reached customers in Delhi, Bengaluru, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Andhra Pradesh. “We have had customers from all over India who were initially sceptical but have since become regular buyers,” Rani says, proudly.
One memorable customer from Meghalaya, who initially hesitated to order, later expressed her delight after receiving a mini bouquet. “She loved it so much that she sent a message saying it exceeded her expectations. Now, she’s a frequent customer,” Rani shares.
Diksha, a loyal customer from Bengaluru, adds, “I have been ordering dry daisies and other flowers from Dry Bloom for over a year, and I’ve never been disappointed. The quality is consistently exceptional, and the prices are always reasonable. Rani and her team are incredibly responsive and always ready to fulfil my requests with speed and care.”
Her mother has been a constant pillar of support throughout this journey. “Watching Rani grow this business has been incredible. I am proud of how far we have come, and I will always be there to support my daughter in every way possible to help this business flourish,” she says.
Commitment to sustainability
The mother-daughter duo’s commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable products has become an underlying feature of Dry Bloom.
“I gather wildflowers like Anaphalis, andropogon, flamingo celosia, pampas, and others from the hills, and I carefully select non-toxic, dryable inflorescences,” Rani explains. “These flowers, along with edible plants like wheat, maize, and rice husk, are perfect for creating unique floral arrangements.”
Her floral arrangement process is both sustainable and eco-friendly, beginning with the collection of wildflowers from the hills. After collection, she allows the flowers to dry naturally over a couple of weeks, avoiding energy-intensive artificial preservation methods, which would otherwise increase her environmental impact.
This method not only preserves the flowers in an eco-friendly way but also reduces the consumption of resources. Once dried, she handcrafts these flowers into beautiful bouquets, making each arrangement a result of careful craftsmanship, and she does not believe in mass production to meet the demands.
“We focus on preserving the natural beauty of flowers so that they last longer,” Rani explains. “Fresh flowers wilt quickly, and many people wish to preserve their beauty but are not aware of the correct techniques. I wanted to create something that people could enjoy for a long time.”
Once collected, the entrepreneur meticulously prepares the flowers by trimming them to the desired length. “I use a rubber band to tie the stems together and then hang them upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated room. It usually takes about two weeks for them to dry properly,” she adds. The drying process is crucial to preserving the flowers’ structure and colour, ensuring that they stay beautiful for years.
After the initial drying period, she dyes the flowers based on her customers’ preferences. “The colours add a personal touch, and I love creating custom hues that match different themes or customer requests,” she shares. Once dyed, the flowers are left to sun-dry for an additional day, allowing the colours to set and giving them a natural finish.
Finally, the flowers are moved to a room with no direct sunlight to ensure they dry completely. “This final step is important to make sure they retain their beauty and durability,” she explains. Only after this careful process are the flowers ready to be handcrafted into various products, such as wristbands, bouquets, gift hampers, and home decor.
“Every product is handmade, and we do not use any machinery because we want to provide all our customers with their desired item,” she adds.
“I ensure that all parcels are dispatched on time and keep track of the daily orders to make sure everything runs like clockwork. While Rani focuses on social media and customer interaction, I work behind the scenes to make sure our operations are smooth,” explains Nandarani.
Dry Bloom’s product line includes mini and large bouquets, gift hampers, sola wood flower bouquets, and handwoven kauna grass baskets.
Most of the flowers are sourced from the hills of Manipur, while the sola flowers are procured from other regions like Kolkata and Bengaluru. “We take care to curate every bouquet with love and attention to detail,” says the young entrepreneur.
Creating jobs and empowering local women
Beyond providing financial stability to Rani and her family, Dry Bloom has also created employment opportunities in the local community.
“Dry Bloom has not only provided me with a steady source of income, but it has also highlighted my creative side,” shares 21-year-old Olivia, one of the workers. “This job has given me financial independence at such a young age. I can take care of my needs without depending on my family. The experience has equipped me with practical skills in floral arrangement and product curation, which I can use to create a variety of unique items.”
Rani is determined to keep growing and empowering others. “I want to continue expanding, create more job opportunities, and make Dry Bloom a household name in India. I hope to encourage more women, especially in my community, to follow their passions and take that leap of faith,” she asserts.
Sharing knowledge: Teaching the art of floral curation
In addition to creating jobs, Dry Bloom extends its impact through skill-building. Rani and her team conduct training sessions in schools and local communities, teaching others the art of curating wildflower bouquets.
“We have trained over 100 people so far,” she says. “I’m so proud to see others learn this skill and become empowered by it.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All pictures courtesy Khundrakpam Rani
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