Sumi Syam Raj, a 32 year old home maker who hails from Ernakulam is extremely proud flaunting her impeccable collection of more than one hundred pots of plants that she grows on her terrace. The idea to turn her passion for gardening into a lucrative business struck her during the lockdown period. Now, Sumi earns a decent income of more than Rs 30,000 a month by selling decorative plants. During the lockdown period, her husband too got time to help her set up a fabulous garden on the terrace of their house that stands in 3 cents.
Initially, Sumi just had a few varieties of plants. She had collected them from her friends and a few pieces were brought from Thailand too. It was the ornamental plant episcia that changed Sumi’s life.
Sumi had posted a picture of this plant in her Facebook page. By next morning, her chat box was bombarded with messages enquiring about the plant and how to purchase it. Soon, Sumi received bulk orders from places like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Coimbatore. Now, she comfortably earns more than Rs 30000 a month, growing and selling decorative plants.
The young business woman says she was astonished by the sudden success that she enjoyed in the beginning itself. Now, Sumi grows around 80 varieties of episicia on her terrace. She has plants that cost from Rs 30 – Rs 1000 per pot. She says that the income that she earned by selling plants had helped her family during the lockdown period. She credits her husband for his wholehearted support not only in tending to the plants but also in taking care of their two year old daughter.
Sumi relies on social media, especially Facebook for her business. Once she receives an order, Sumi makes sure to dispatch the plants on the same day itself. Before turning to selling ornamental plants, Sumi had been growing an impressive vegetable garden. However, Sumi says she feels extremely happy and satisfied growing and selling ornamental plants, especially because it earns her an income.
