From a single handmade crochet bouquet to a fast-growing gifting startup processing 700 orders daily, Vanshika Mittal’s entrepreneurial journey proves that age is no barrier to building a successful business.
In a startup ecosystem dominated by technology and AI-driven ventures, a young entrepreneur from Ludhiana has built a multi-crore business using yarn, creativity, and a traditional craft passed down through generations.
At just 20 years old, Vanshika Mittal, founder of Floreal, transformed a simple crochet bouquet idea into a thriving gifting brand generating over ₹5 crore in revenue within two years. What started with an investment of only ₹1,000 has evolved into one of India’s fastest-growing handmade gifting startups.
Today, Floreal sells long-lasting crochet flower bouquets through Instagram, its direct-to-consumer website, and quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, serving customers across India.
Who Is Vanshika Mittal?
Vanshika Mittal is a young entrepreneur from Ludhiana, Punjab, who founded Floreal in 2024. Growing up in a business-oriented family, she was exposed to entrepreneurship from an early age.
One of her biggest inspirations came from her grandmother, who regularly crocheted sweaters, table mats, and handmade decorative items at home. Watching these creations sparked an idea that would later become the foundation of her startup.
While pursuing her studies, Vanshika began exploring business opportunities that could combine creativity with consumer demand.
That opportunity arrived unexpectedly.
The Problem That Sparked a Business Idea
The turning point came when one of Vanshika’s friends asked her to arrange a bouquet for his girlfriend.
Instead of purchasing traditional flowers that wilt within a few days, she wondered:
“Why not create flowers that last forever?”
Using crochet techniques she had observed from her grandmother, Vanshika created a handmade crochet flower bouquet.
The bouquet was unique, aesthetically appealing, and unlike anything commonly available in the gifting market.
After completing the bouquet, she posted it on Instagram.
The response exceeded all expectations.
How Floreal Started With Just ₹1,000
To create her first crochet bouquet, Vanshika invested approximately ₹1,000 in yarn and packaging materials.
She sold her first bouquet and started showcasing more designs on Instagram.
Soon, direct messages started pouring in from customers interested in purchasing similar products.
Within her very first month:
- Nearly 40 bouquets were sold
- Revenue reached approximately ₹30,000
- Customer demand continued growing organically
- Instagram became her primary sales channel
What began as an experiment quickly turned into a viable business opportunity.
Why Customers Loved Crochet Flower Bouquets
Traditional flower bouquets are beautiful but temporary.
Most flowers lose their freshness within days, making them a short-lived gift.
Floreal offered something different:
Long-Lasting Gifts
Crochet flowers do not wilt, dry, or lose their appearance.
Handmade Craftsmanship
Each bouquet is handcrafted, creating a unique and personalized gifting experience.
Sustainable Alternative
Unlike fresh flowers, crochet bouquets generate less waste and can be preserved for years.
Emotional Value
Customers viewed crochet bouquets as keepsakes rather than disposable gifts.
This combination of durability, personalization, and aesthetics helped Floreal carve out a niche in India’s gifting market.
The Big Decision: Dropping Out to Build Floreal
As orders increased, balancing academics and entrepreneurship became increasingly challenging.
Managing customer inquiries, coordinating production, handling deliveries, and maintaining social media presence required full-time attention.
According to reports, Vanshika began receiving hundreds of messages daily from potential customers.
Recognizing the startup’s growth potential, she made a bold decision.
She dropped out of college and committed herself fully to scaling Floreal.
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, this would be considered a risky move.
For Vanshika, it became the catalyst for rapid growth.
Building a Team and Empowering Women Artisans
One of the biggest challenges for handmade businesses is scaling production while maintaining quality.
To address this, Vanshika started training women from nearby communities in crochet craftsmanship.
Over time, Floreal built a growing network of artisans responsible for:
- Crochet production
- Bouquet assembly
- Product packaging
- Quality control
- Order fulfillment
This not only helped the company increase production capacity but also created employment opportunities for women skilled in traditional handicrafts.
The startup successfully blended entrepreneurship with social impact.
Floreal’s Growth Numbers
What started in a single room has transformed into a large-scale gifting operation.
Today, Floreal:
- Processes approximately 700 orders every day
- Offers more than 130 crochet products
- Operates from a dedicated warehouse in Ludhiana
- Serves customers across India
- Sells through Instagram, its website, and Blinkit
- Employs a growing team of women artisans
Its product range now includes:
Crochet Roses
One of the brand’s most popular gifting products.
Crochet Tulips
Favored for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions.
Crochet Sunflowers
Known for their vibrant and cheerful appearance.
Gift Boxes
Customized gifting solutions featuring handmade crochet products.
Premium Bouquets
Larger floral arrangements designed for celebrations and corporate gifting.
Revenue Growth: From ₹30,000 to Multi-Crore Sales
Floreal’s financial growth has been remarkable.
According to multiple reports:
- First-month sales reached approximately ₹30,000
- Revenue crossed ₹1 crore within the early growth phase
- The company has surpassed ₹4 crore in revenue
- Business projections indicate annual revenue may reach ₹6–7 crore
Few startups achieve this level of growth within two years, particularly in the handmade products category.
The success demonstrates the growing demand for unique, personalized, and sustainable gifting options among Indian consumers.
How Instagram Became Floreal’s Growth Engine
One of the most important factors behind Floreal’s success has been social media.
Instead of relying on expensive advertising in the beginning, Vanshika used Instagram to showcase:
- Product photos
- Customer orders
- Handmade craftsmanship
- Behind-the-scenes content
- New product launches
The visual nature of crochet bouquets made Instagram an ideal platform for attracting customers.
User-generated content, customer referrals, and social sharing further accelerated growth.
For modern D2C brands, Floreal serves as a powerful example of how social media can become a primary customer acquisition channel.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Vanshika Mittal
Start Before You’re Ready
Vanshika didn’t wait for funding, a perfect business plan, or extensive resources. She started with ₹1,000 and an idea.
Solve a Real Consumer Problem
Traditional flowers fade quickly. Crochet flowers provide a lasting alternative.
Validate Through Customers
Before building a large business, she tested demand through Instagram.
Use Existing Skills Creatively
Crochet was not a new invention. The innovation came from repositioning it for the gifting market.
Scale With Community
Training local women allowed Floreal to expand production while creating social impact.
What’s Next for Floreal?
The company is now focused on expanding its reach through additional quick-commerce and online platforms.
Future growth opportunities include:
- Expansion into new gifting categories
- Increased presence on quick-commerce platforms
- International shipping and exports
- Corporate gifting partnerships
- Product personalization at scale
Vanshika’s long-term vision is to transform Floreal into a globally recognized gifting brand while preserving the handcrafted essence that made the business successful.
The Startup Facts Takeaway
Floreal’s journey highlights a powerful reality about entrepreneurship in India today.
You don’t always need breakthrough technology or millions in funding to build a successful company.
Sometimes, all it takes is recognizing an overlooked opportunity, solving a genuine customer problem, and taking action before everyone else.
At 20 years old, Vanshika Mittal has already built a business that many experienced entrepreneurs aspire to create.
From a ₹1,000 investment to a multi-crore startup processing hundreds of daily orders, Floreal stands as a remarkable example of how creativity, execution, and persistence can transform a simple idea into a thriving business.
As India’s gifting industry continues evolving, Floreal’s handmade crochet bouquets are proving that products crafted with care can compete successfully in a fast-paced digital marketplace.
