A blooming business journey against the odds

Karishma Choyal, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, didn’t let a global pandemic crush her dreams.  She converted uncertainty into opportunity, turning a simple idea of flower cultivation into a thriving business that’s now transforming both her life and her community.

Choyal and her husband, Mukesh, started building this enterprise during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a necessity has grown into a venture full of promise fuelled by Choyal’s determination to create a better life.

Finding support systems

Earlier Karishma Choyal and Mukesh worked at a private company in Pune, earning meagre wages that barely sustained them. But when family responsibilities brought them back to their village during the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to find a new way to earn a living.

Returning to  Bhagsur, they saw an opportunity. With a vision in mind, they started cultivating flowers on two acres of land, turning their love for nature into a viable source of income.

The path to success was not without hurdles. While they had the motivation, Choyal lacked the business knowledge and financial resources needed to build their operations. 

Her turning point came when she met Nishita Gore, a Youth Fellow from the Rajpur enterprise facilitation hub during a village outreach initiative. Choyal shared her struggles with Nishita, who connected her with the Enterprise Facilitation Hubs in Rajpur. 

This proved to be a game changer for her as she was introduced to the Accelerated Entrepreneurship Development Program (AEDP). This is a program designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential business skills and knowledge.

What is AEDP?

Karishma Choyal and Mukesh enrolled in the AEDP together. They attended sessions with a keen focus on building their business management abilities. The training opened their eyes to the intricacies of marketing, brand development, and financial planning. 

“Looking at the growing demand for flowers in my geography and our understanding of the market, we are currently growing flowers on one acre. I plan to expand this to three acres in the next two years,” Choyal shared enthusiastically.

As an alumna of the first AEDP batch in Barwani, Choyal stood out for her active participation and eagerness to share her entrepreneurial insights. The program broadened her business knowledge and helped her create a concrete three-year business plan. 

With these newfound skills, she was able to transform her flower business into a local sensation.

Choyal’s flower power

With the AEDP training as a foundation, Choyal launched her dream enterprise – Powan Flowers and Decoration. It has a logo, business cards, and an engaging presence on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

The couple divided responsibilities within the business to maximise efficiency and growth. While Choyal focuses on creating flower arrangements, managing the online presence and selling products, Mukesh handles the cultivation, harvesting, and delivery logistics. 

This division of labour has allowed them to scale the business more effectively and meet the growing demand.

Overcoming financial challenges

The road to financial stability was not straightforward. After the training, Choyal applied for a mudra loan of two lakh rupees from a nationalised bank. But the disbursement was delayed due to administrative issues.

Determined about her venture, she then turned to alternative funding sources and successfully secured a loan of one lakh rupees through the Rang De portal. The funds helped her in expanding the enterprise, including experimenting with various flower species and adding artificial flowers to her business.

Impact on the community

Powan Flowers and Decoration has now become a well-recognised name in the local market. Known for its unique products and high-quality service, the business employs three workers daily. 

Importantly, she sees further expansion on the horizon. She plans to extend the farm to three acres and with the growing demand for her services, she hopes to create employment for five to six people in the near future.

Choyal’s story is not just about flowers. There is a lot to learn from her – resilience, resourcefulness and the spirit of entrepreneurship. She turned a crisis into an opportunity, continuously adapting and learning along the way. 

The lead image on top depicts the flowers that Karishma Choyal and her husband Mukesh started cultivating on two acres of land, turning their love for nature into a viable source of income. (Photo by Ranu Kumar Singh)

Ranu Kumar Singh is a practitioner with Transforming Rural India in Barwani, Madhya Pradesh.