Green fingers

Jain’s passion for plants is evident from the way the 29-year-old graduate in Information Technology from Delhi University gushes over her mini-nursery. “My parents run a vermicompost unit in our home in Chandigarh. And our backyard was full of plants. I have always loved nature and enjoy taking care of the plants,” she says,pointing to a dwarf chilli plant in a red pot.

In September 2008,Jain took her interest online,launching the site with an initial investment of approximately Rs 4 lakh. Till December she didn’t meet with much success but things looked up when she moved to Delhi this January. In the past six months she has got over 150 orders,thanks to word-of-mouth-publicity,promotional sales at the Select Citywalk Flea market and other venues in the city.

The website delivers both dwarf and fully grown plants in pots of galvanised metal with intricate patterns. The plants are currently sourced from three nurseries in the Capital,but Jain plans to start a nursery soon. “Rather than using ceramic pots,I give customers something more durable and sturdy. The plants are held in place by corrugated sheets of paper,which is customised as per the plant size. Then we neatly package them in cardboard cartons with sufficient air vents so that they remain fresh and courier them,” she explains. The plants are priced according to their availability and exclusivity. Ordering online will cost you between Rs 350 and Rs 1,200 (packaging and transport included).

Happy with the response to her website,Jain plans to diversify into selling organic milk,organic baby apparel and home decor products. She has also tied up with various organisations to sell fair trade products like wine holders,bags,notebooks,calendars,albums and pin boards online. With no online advertising or marketing strategy is in place yet,Jain is aware that a new website means a lot of work. “For this new site I will need to invest heavily in marketing,” she says.

Contact Pallavi Jain at 9717103339