While on a business visit to Europe in 2005, I realised the huge popularity of topiaries—the art of pruning bushes and shrubs to take animal shapes. In fact, they are so popularabroad that people have created private topiary gardens that are being trimmed since generations. But one needs a huge garden to accommodate this green art.
That’s when the idea of creating miniature topiaries, which are portableand can be kept indoors too, struck. Since it’s like any other craft, I tied up with a firm creating topiary designs in the UK. I couldn’t have managed without their expertise. A mesh of wires forms the base of a topiary, which is then packed with treated mud and toppped with moss. Any hardy creeper can grow on this, giving the entire structure a verdant look. Soon I found an interesting market waiting to be tapped for these designer pieces. I created huge alphabets in topiary form which companies like DLF and TDI picked up for their corporate offices to be placed at the entrance. The moss-framed mirrors have been picked up by the Oberoi Hotels. The options are unlimited.
Developing these ecofriendly creative pieces is quite different from my previous jobs at various export firms, where I was involved with exports of engineering goods, handicrafts, etc. After graduating from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi, in 1985, I worked with different companies. While working with Tata Exports, an exporter asked me to find a vendor of dry flowers and offered to provide funds too. There were none in north India in 1996 so I tried to explore the market. I sourced the flowers from a firm in south India, sun dried them on a leased land in Noida, added fragrance and created a potpourri of dried flowers. Being a cash and carry product, I did not have to invest much in it. I decided to try it as an alternative career and went about it quite methodically. Arranging land and sticking on with my job were two important things.
In 1999, I quit Tata Exports and took up business full-time. The turnover was very satisfying. I introduced portable topiary last year. Being high-end products, the profit margins are quite good. The prices range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 20,000. Next on my agenda? Giving these designer bushes international exposure.Are you a “My Story”? Find out and submit by clicking on My Story at www.moneytoday.in
