Anand Kumar is one of those strong forces who build a business, but also help to build the industry. As the founder of one of India's pioneering online flower delivery companies and President of the India Florist Association, he has spent more than two decades helping florists embrace technology while strengthening the sense of community within the profession. His work extends far beyond his own company, focusing on education, collaboration, and creating opportunities for florists to grow together.
In this week's 10 Questions, Anand shares why trust matters more than competition, how technology should support rather than replace craftsmanship, and why the greatest success comes from helping others succeed.
Question 1
For those who don’t know you, who are you, and what do you do?
"My name is Anand Kumar. I am the founder of Just Flowers, one of India's early online flower delivery companies, and currently serve as the President of the India Florist Association (IFA). Although my professional journey began in technology, for the last two decades I have dedicated myself to the floral industry. Today, my work goes far beyond running my own business. I spend much of my time listening to fellow florists, understanding their challenges, helping them find practical solutions, and encouraging them to grow together as a community.
Through the India Florist Association, technology initiatives, education, and knowledge sharing, I try to make business easier for florists. Whether it is helping a florist solve a business problem, adopt new technology, connect with reliable suppliers, or simply offering guidance, I am always happy to contribute. I hope people know me not only as a florist or an entrepreneur, but as someone approachable, willing to listen, and always ready to help. That, for me, is the most meaningful part of what I do."
Question 2
What is so special about your job?
"People often think I sell flowers, but I feel I am actually helping people express their emotions. Flowers become part of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, and even moments of sympathy. Every order carries a feeling, and it is our responsibility to deliver that feeling in the best possible way. Another special thing about my work is that no two days are the same. Every festival, every season, and every customer brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn.
Today, through the India Florist Association, my work has become even more meaningful. I enjoy helping fellow florists learn new skills, adopt technology, and grow their businesses. Seeing another florist succeed gives me as much happiness as seeing my own business grow. For me, this is not just a profession. It is about creating smiles, building relationships, and helping our industry move forward together."
Question 3
Are there any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve faced at work, and how did you overcome them?
"One of the biggest challenges in my journey was not building a business—it was bringing florists together. Like many industries, florists often see each other as competitors. When we started the India Florist Association, it was not easy to convince everyone that by working together, we could all become stronger. Building trust took time.
We spent a lot of time listening to florists, understanding their concerns, and encouraging them to share knowledge and experiences. Slowly, the mindset began to change. Today, many members help each other with florist-to-florist order fulfilment, share reliable suppliers, exchange business ideas, and support each other in reducing payment defaults and fraud. For me, this change in mindset is one of the biggest achievements of my journey. I believe competition is healthy, but collaboration is much more powerful."
Question 4
What are the threats in the industry, and if so, do you have any solutions for them?
"I believe the biggest need of the hour is for florists to trust each other more and work together more closely. Every florist wants to grow, but when we see each other only as competitors, we miss many opportunities. I believe there is enough business for everyone if we focus on quality, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
We should support each other by sharing knowledge, helping with florist-to-florist order fulfilment, recommending reliable suppliers, and always giving priority to another florist's customer order as if it were our own. This builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and benefits the entire industry. Another important area is reducing payment defaults and business fraud. When florists work together with transparency and trust, these problems can be reduced significantly. A strong professional network protects everyone.
Technology will also play an important role, but technology alone cannot build a strong industry. Trust, collaboration, and a willingness to help each other are even more important. I hope that more young people will join our industry with fresh ideas, while experienced florists continue to share their knowledge and mentor the next generation. If we combine experience, innovation, and collaboration, I truly believe the future of floristry is very bright."
Question 5
How has technology, such as e-commerce platforms or digital marketing, affected your industry? What strategies have you employed to stay competitive?
"Technology has completely changed the way people buy flowers. Today, customers expect to browse designs online, place orders in minutes, make digital payments, and receive updates until the flowers are delivered. This has made the customer experience much faster and more convenient. Coming from a technology background, I always saw this change as an opportunity rather than a challenge. We were among the early companies in India to adopt online flower ordering and digital marketing. Over the years, I have continued to embrace new technology to improve customer service and make business operations more efficient.
Through the India Florist Association, we have also developed FloristIndia.in, a platform where customers can easily find verified IFA florists in different cities and place their orders directly with local florists. We aim to help local flower shops become more visible online while ensuring customers receive quality service from trusted professionals. Today, I am also working on Floraprise, a florist-focused ERP platform designed to help florists manage their businesses more efficiently. I believe technology should simplify business, reduce errors, and give florists more time to focus on creativity and customer relationships.
Artificial Intelligence and digital tools will continue to change the way we work, but they will never replace the emotions, creativity, and personal touch that a florist brings to every arrangement. The future belongs to florists who combine technology with craftsmanship, innovation, and genuine customer care."
Question 6
Who (in or outside the floral industry) is an inspiring example to you? And Why?
"The person who has inspired me the most is Ratan Tata. What I admire most about him is not just the success he achieved, but the way he achieved it. His vision, dedication, humility, and commitment to doing business with honesty have always inspired me. He showed that it is possible to build successful businesses while also creating value for society.
I have always tried to follow the same principles in my own journey. Whether it is running my business or working through the India Florist Association, I believe success becomes more meaningful when you help others grow along with you. At the same time, I am also inspired by many florists, both in India and around the world, who work quietly every day with passion and creativity. Running a flower business is not easy. It requires hard work, dedication, and the ability to bring smiles to people's lives every single day. I have great respect for everyone who chooses this profession. I believe learning never stops. Every person we meet, every challenge we face, and every experience teaches us something new. I still consider myself a student, always looking for new ideas and better ways to serve our industry."
Question 7
How do you handle stress or difficult moments in your life?
"Like everyone else, I also face stress and difficult situations. Running a business and leading an industry association means there are always new challenges. Over the years, I have learned that every problem has a solution if we stay calm and think clearly. Whenever I feel stressed, I avoid making quick decisions. I take time to understand the situation, discuss it with people I trust, and then move forward step by step. Experience has taught me that patience and a positive mindset are often the best solutions.
One of my biggest stress busters is endurance sports. Over the years, I have enjoyed cycling, trekking, mountaineering, and now regular swimming. These activities teach discipline, patience, and mental strength. They remind me that reaching any destination takes one step at a time, and the same is true in business and in life. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, which helps me stay balanced and grounded. Most importantly, I believe there is no problem without a solution. We may not find the answer immediately, but if we stay positive, keep learning, and never give up, we eventually find a way forward. This belief has helped me through every stage of my journey."
Question 8
What has been the best (floral or non-floral) news for you lately, or of the last year?
"One of the most memorable moments for me recently was the overwhelming response to my book, The Flower Sutra. When I started writing the book, my only intention was to share my experience and knowledge with fellow florists. I was deeply grateful when Interiors & More came forward to sponsor the book so that it could be distributed free of cost to all participants at IFA Meet 7. Seeing so many florists reading it, discussing it, and telling me that it would help them in their business was one of the most satisfying moments of my journey.
I am also thankful to Thursd for publishing a detailed review of The Flower Sutra. It was encouraging to see my work appreciated on an international platform and gave me even more confidence to continue sharing knowledge with the floral community. For me, the greatest satisfaction comes when my experience can help someone else grow. If The Flower Sutra inspires even a few florists to think differently, improve their business, or look at our industry with a fresh perspective, then I feel the effort was truly worthwhile."
Question 9
Which is your favorite flower/plant, and why is it good for you?
"My favourite flower is the Lily. Of course, I love its beauty, elegance, and fragrance, but the real reason is much deeper. A lily stem carries many buds. They don't all bloom at the same time. As one flower completes its life, another bud opens into a beautiful bloom. To me, this is very similar to our own life.
Life also has different stages. Some dreams come true, some moments pass, and new opportunities keep appearing. We should not lose hope when one chapter ends because another one is waiting to bloom. Whenever I see lilies, they remind me to stay positive, be patient, and keep looking forward. There is always another opportunity, another beginning, and another reason to smile. Perhaps that is why I feel a special connection with this flower. It reminds me that life is always moving forward, just like a lily stem that continues to bloom one flower after another."
Question 10
What are you doing this weekend?
"To be honest, my weekends are usuallylin busier than my weekdays! Right now, a lot of my time is dedicated to preparing for IFA Meet 8, one of the biggest gatherings for the Indian floral industry. There are always new ideas to discuss, people to coordinate with, and plans to make. Apart from that, I am working on a new project called Floralite, a simple and easy-to-use shop management app specially designed for small florists. Many talented florists struggle with managing orders, customers, payments, and daily operations. My goal is to make technology simple and affordable so that even the smallest flower shop can benefit from it.
Of course, I also make time for my family and for swimming because both help me stay balanced and refresh my mind. For many people, weekends are for taking a break. For me, weekends are often the best time to think, create, and work on ideas that can make a positive difference for florists. I genuinely enjoy what I do, so it never feels like work."
.jpg?1784568905379 "Anand Kumar during a mountain hike")
Anand Kumar reminds us that the floral industry is built on more than flowers. It thrives on relationships, shared knowledge, and a willingness to lift one another. His vision combines innovation with humanity, showing that technology and tradition can work hand in hand when people remain at the center of every decision.
All pictures courtesy of Anand Kumar.
