Madurai is famous for its fragrant jasmine flowers, locally called 'Malli'. Lakshmi, a street vendor, sold garlands outside temples but struggled with fluctuating demand and limited reach.

Digital Strategy

Her nephew helped her set up WhatsApp Business, where she shared daily photos of fresh jasmine bundles. They ran small Facebook ads targeting wedding planners and event decorators in Madurai and nearby towns. Bulk orders were coordinated through WhatsApp and delivered via local courier services.

Challenges

Ensuring freshness during transport and managing bulk festive orders were major hurdles. They invested in insulated boxes and scheduled early-morning deliveries to maintain quality.

Results

Orders expanded from temple visitors to wedding planners and hotels.
Festive season sales grew by 60%, driven by bulk online orders.
Her income stabilized, allowing her to employ two assistants.

Lesson

Even traditional flower vendors can scale by using WhatsApp and targeted local ads to reach new customer segments.