Enterprise

Woman turns fascination with miniature plants into thriving business

shah

Prachi Shah tends her Bonsai plants at her garden in Mombasa. PHOTO | LYNET IGADWAH

Ms Prachi Shah was curious when her sister-in-law started turning a Ficus plant into a Bonsai. Bonsai is the art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs in small shallow pots or trays.

Bonsai is also the name of plants grown using this method. Impressed, Ms Shah started reading about the miniature plants and was soon growing them in her garden.

Little did she know that the fascination with the art would eventually turn into an income generating venture for her. Soon customers started making orders.

Fourteen years down the road and the 37- year-old mother of two is delighted with the path her life has taken. The backyard of her home in Mombasa is littered with shelves and trays of Bonsai plant varieties including Baobab trees, Indian banyan, Desert roses, Ficus and Cyprus plants.

“You can turn any tree into a Bonsai. These are normal plants planted in a container and cared for to achieve the look of a miniature but mature tree,” she said.

The trees can be tended to portray different themes including a flowing river, an umbrella, a cascade, can be twisted, and have multiple or twin trunks.

After four or five years of care, a tree starts taking shape and eventually resembles a mature one in 10 to 15 years.

The older the tree the more valuable it becomes. Ms Shah started commercial farming of Bonsai in 2007 and has to date sold over 800 pieces of the dwarf trees to individuals and corporates across the country.

The popularity of the plants is due to the fact that they occupy little space, are exotic and add a touch of sophistication to premises — especially when placed in an office reception area.

Some of her clients include ARM Cement Ltd, Nomura Insurance Brokers, Tile and Carpet, Coast Hauliers, Bliss Resort in Nyali, Ideal Appliances Ltd, Techbiz, and Pride Industries Ltd.

Importing desert roses

Early this year, Ms Shah started importing 250 varieties of desert roses from India. Demand has since risen dramatically, she said. “To date I have sold 200 pieces of the roses.

I currently have 176 in stock and expect a consignment of 150,” she said. Ms Prachi holds a Master’s Degree in Accounts and Auditing.Getting a licence from local authorities to import the roses from India has been a big challenge, she said.

Aside from this, critics have been discouraged her saying that the venture would bear not fruits. Ms Shah said that the Sh50,000 she invested in starting the business 14 years ago is nothing compared to the time, patience and commitment she has invested in it.

It takes patience to ensure that a Bonsai grows and takes the intended shape.

Its branches require wiring to be nurtured in a particular way; just like it its roots and leaves need pruning.

Because the amount of work and care accorded dwarf plants, one can retail for between Sh2,000 and Sh4,500 depending on age and species.

With her customers spread across the country, Ms Shah has had to design a unique way of working with them. She visits them to offer guidance on tending different species of Bonsai.

Customer referrals, social media and her website — Prachis Bonsai Landscape and Art — have seen her business grow in leaps and bounds.

Her greatest motivation is customer satisfaction and positive feedback which, she said, have seen her grow her entrepreneur.