In the quiet lanes of Tera Lukram Leirak in Imphal West, Manipur, blooms a remarkable tale of entrepreneurship and creativity. Khundrakpam Rani, a 27-year-old botanist, has transformed a childhood hobby into a ₹2 lakh/month business, proving that passion, when nurtured with purpose, can thrive even in the most unlikely places.
A Floral Bond Rooted in Childhood
Rani’s fascination with flora began at home, where her garden became a living classroom. Her mother, Khundrakpam Nandarani, shared this love and often spent hours tending to gomphrenas, chrysanthemums, celosias, and portulacas. For Rani, these vibrant patches of color were not just plants — they were companions, teachers, and, unknowingly at the time, the seeds of her future enterprise.
Although her early dream was simple — to preserve the beauty of blooms — it took shape more clearly during her postgraduation in botany from Manipur University. Her academic exposure deepened her understanding of plant life, but it was the stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown that sparked her entrepreneurial journey.
The Birth of Dry Bloom
With time in abundance during the pandemic, Rani took to social media and noticed how others were monetizing their creative talents. It inspired her to do something similar — using the wildflowers of Manipur to craft long-lasting floral art. In December 2020, Dry Bloom was born.
Her first experiment involved flamingo celosia, a bright, feather-like wildflower she foraged near the Sekmai riverside. Drying it carefully, she fashioned her first bouquet. The response online was overwhelmingly positive, giving her the confidence to proceed, even though skepticism surrounded her in the beginning — including from her own mother.
Winning Trust, One Bloom at a Time
Initially, Nandarani was hesitant. A government job felt safer, more predictable. But as Rani remained persistent and orders began trickling in, her mother’s doubt transformed into belief. Today, she stands as Rani’s closest collaborator, managing backend operations, overseeing order logistics, and ensuring quality in each handcrafted piece.
The duo focused on authenticity and sustainability. Their process avoids artificial drying techniques. Instead, they air-dry every flower in carefully controlled environments, maintaining color, structure, and character. The result? Bouquets and accessories that last for years.
Beyond Bouquets: A Diverse, Eco-Friendly Range
Dry Bloom is more than a floral studio — it’s a boutique brand of handcrafted, eco-conscious beauty. The product lineup includes:
- Mini and full-sized dry flower bouquets
- Hairpins, headbands, and wristbands
- Gift hampers
- Handwoven kauna grass baskets
- Sola wood flower arrangements
Each item is thoughtfully designed, often dyed naturally based on customer preferences, and finished with an artisanal touch. Most materials come from the hills of Manipur, while sola flowers are sourced from Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Empowering Women, One Petal at a Time
What sets Rani apart is not just her craftsmanship, but her vision for community empowerment. She currently employs two young women from her locality and has trained over 100 more through hands-on workshops in schools and villages.
For 21-year-old Olivia, this job has been life-changing. “It gave me financial independence and practical skills. I no longer depend on anyone else,” she shares.
Resilience in the Face of Conflict
Despite its success, Dry Bloom hasn’t had a smooth ride. The recent unrest in Manipur drastically reduced earnings, at one point bringing them down to ₹50,000 a month. Yet, Rani’s determination hasn’t faltered. Slowly but surely, they’re bouncing back.
What began as a backyard hobby is now a pan-India business with loyal customers in Delhi, Bengaluru, Meghalaya, and Andhra Pradesh. Each bouquet tells a story — not just of nature’s elegance but of a woman’s will to bloom where she is planted.
The Road Ahead
Rani dreams of scaling Dry Bloom into a nationally recognized brand. But more importantly, she wants to inspire a wave of rural women entrepreneurs. “If I can build this with wildflowers and a little courage, so can others,” she says.
In a world chasing instant gratification, Rani and her mother stand as symbols of quiet resilience and organic growth — much like the wildflowers they cherish.
How to Order Dry Bloom operates as a home-based venture and ships pan-India. Customers can place orders via:
👉🏻 Call/WhatsApp: 866-9177207
💬 Payment Modes: COD, Google Pay, PhonePe
📍 Address: St. Joseph Opposite, Sangaiprou, Imphal West, Manipur
🌸 Motto: “Let us all bloom together, whole year round.” 🌸
📸 Instagram
