FNP: Enticing all with bouquets, cakes & more!

Excerpts from the interview

1. We would like to know about your journey as an entrepreneur? What was your Inspiration to start this business?

Established the business in 1994, with a single objective to serve a world-class facility and the highest quality to Indian customers along with widest variety of domestic & exotic flowers. We are a first-generation businessman embarking the journey in 28 years with a single objective to provide first- in India concepts in flowers. Having acquired enough knowledge about the business and the market conditions, I finally tasted success in 2001. With an aspiration to be an exceptional brand, we brought a new-edge to the flower gifting culture in the country.

Inspiration- One day in 1994, I travelled to Delhi to wish my then girlfriend Meeta (now wife), whom I had met during my college days. On her birthday I sent her flowers through a local florist, but at her birthday party, I saw that the bouquet was a shoddily put-together poor-quality flowers. The shrewd business brain in me instantly saw an opportunity and I quietly began to study the Delhi flower market.

There were rarely any florists operational in Delhi then. Whatever stores were there, served below-par quality and services; these outlets were neither air-conditioned nor had an inviting ambience. Kolkata's meticulous professionalism was missing in Delhi's florists.

I soon thought it was an apt opportunity to start the floral venture, but I had only Rs 5,000 in my pocket. I then went to see a friend from Kolkata working in Delhi. I told him about my plans and insufficient funds, the friend invested rupees 2.5 lakh in his venture and that's how we started.

The idea of starting the business also came up with an idea that the flower industry is a scattered, most diversified one. Therefore, now FNP has diversified into various other flower related fields, the biggest being the wedding décor; in less than a decade.

FNP provides solutions for everybody's gifting needs from buying flowers for occasions, floral décor for weddings, parties or just delivering fresh flowers and cakes not only in India but across the globe. FNP has consistently been honored for its pre-eminence in creative spirit and service capabilities.

Today, FNP World comprises FNP Retail & Franchising, FNP E-commerce - India & UAE, FNP Cakes, FNP Venues, FNP Weddings & Events, Floral Touch - UAE, , WDH (Wedding Design Hub), Flowers 'N' More, FNP Flagship, FNP Media, Last Journey and Baby Bless-Baby Planning Services.

2. Where did you launch your first branch?

A pavement store on 200 sq ft in South Extension Part II, Delhi. From that single outlet, I would supply flowers to around dozen retailers in Delhi.

3. What was the budget you put in opening, this business in the initial stages?

In 1994, we made an investment of Rs 5000 in the flower business and today we are at the topline of approximately Rs 650 crore.

4. What were the struggles and challenges you faced as an entrepreneur?

Here are some of the struggles & challenges of being an entrepreneur, according to the FNP owner.

n The biggest challenge was the logistics involved in delivering fresh flowers in hot conditions. Then, of course, there were a lot of technology issues, which resolved gradually. Since there is no institute for training florists or giving diplomas in flower decoration, the brand also faced the challenge of making the business sustainable to smaller entrepreneurs who are the company's franchisees

n There were a lot of difficult patches when certain things didn't work out. There was a fire fallout in our godown once and it was very disheartening and demotivating. With the indomitable fighting spirit, the company dealt with this situation.

n FNP has occasion-based products. For example, someone's anniversary or may be birthday, the target audience is the middle class and the brand delivers things that's not high budget or expensive so though FNP face some turbulence but that didn't affect major once lockdown restrictions started easing."

5. How did you approach an investor?

Ferns N Petals was fortunate enough to be a bootstrapped organisation since its inception. As a part of our growth strategies, we raised Rs 200 crore funding from Lighthouse India Funds III, in February 2022. With this fundraising, we planned to invest in improving our systems and technology to ensure a superlative customer experience for all gifting occasions.

There are a number of things that can help you turn your startup/business idea into the successful firm you've always imagined. A few points that will come in handy for entrepreneurs who are planning to get in investors, according to Vikaas Gutgutia are:

n Choosing an appropriate investor could make or destroy your firm, whether you're crowd funding or leaning toward the private investment sector

n In addition to working on your business idea, you are also the banker for it. You'll need a proper business and a marketing strategy in place

n It is of utmost importance to emphasise how investing in your company would benefit them directly

n While pitching, you may want to show them your initial results-talk about your business graph, potential customers or stakeholders you aim to get on board

6. Do you think rules and procedures should be more entrepreneur friendly? If so, what exactly should they be?

There are no exact rulebooks, however I feel the following can be the key.

n Work smarter, not harder! Hard work is the key to succeed as an entrepreneur. Overworking leads to fatigue, which leads to errors. There are other things but learning how to work smarter is a mindset and later formulates into a habit too.

n Working smart, finding right people to get the work done and doing more with less are all keys to being a successful entrepreneur. It is unrealistic to see that every business succeeds. Failure gives us ways to learn innovative ways of finding solutions and more.

n Hire people to do the tasks they are good at. This allows for you to focus on the areas of business that bring most value to the table, while you have people in place focusing their attention on the areas that they bring most value to.

n Understanding the importance of delegation, associated with building large staff, failing before you fully understand is why it is important. The thought of adding members and employees can be very scary.

7. Can you give your advice to people who want to begin a startup?

Aspiring for a bigger businesses tomorrow needs bigger vision and smart work in the right direction.

The organisation has put its love and attention into making cakes wherein outlets have been opened in many places in the happening city of Hyderabad. FNP Cakes, a unit of Ferns N Petals, recently unveiled three new outlets in Miyapur, Sheikhpet and a central kitchen in Madhapur spread over an area of 2,000 square feet.

The organisation focuses on creating one-of-a-kind experience for its customers with accountability and offers top quality products, wherein a person can book a cake delivery from pan India locations as well.