Businesses hold significant potential as instruments for social betterment, particularly when their operations are structured with a focus on creating positive societal impact. The story of Waste Blossom, is rooted in this desire to bring about social good by taking entrepreneurial innovation.
Nestled within the bustling Mumbai, lies the lush green campus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, which brings like minded people from different walks of life and allow them to interact and create something truly unique. It is within this vibrant ecosystem that the founders of Waste Blossom crossed paths, and concocted an idea that intends to bring environmental impact at a grassroots level.
The trio at Waste Blossom's core presents an unlikely alliance. There’s Maharshi Desai, a Chartered Accountant by profession, but is passionate about creating a thriving enterprise that can serve as a conduit of lasting positive impact for the world. It is because of this drive; he chose not to pursue a more lucrative career in the said field and chose the entrepreneurial route.
Furqaan Jafri, with his background in business administration and a passion for poetry and arts, adds a unique creative perspective. Probably, the biggest aberration in this team is Christian Dresback, an American biologist whose commitment to a meaningful living led him to India. It’s probably not a surprise that all three of them chose to pursue a degree in Social Entrepreneurship, a two-year course designed to create a socially meaningful enterprise.
“A social enterprise is a business initiative that keeps at the forefront a social problem. However, this does not imply that the enterprise operates on a non-profit basis. While profitability is essential for the sustainability of the business, the pursuit of social betterment takes precedence over financial gain,” says Maharshi. This guiding principle attracted him to his chosen course of study, as he believed it would connect him with like-minded individuals passionate about establishing businesses that strive for social impact.
Being roommates during the course of their study helped a lot, as they got to discuss and debate ideas through their varied disciplinary lenses. “As you may have noticed, all three of us come from different fields, and we look at problems differently. Our diverse backgrounds might seem like an unlikely mix at first glance, but this diversity has been our strength. It has allowed us to approach problems from multiple angles, leading to richer discussions and more comprehensive decision-making.,” explains Furqaan.
During the course of their study, they came up with the idea of Waste Blossom after noticing more intently the issue of public waste around their vicinity. They thought about possible solutions and came up with composting as one of the interventions that can be carried at home. During this process, they also realized a general liking for home gardening among urban residents, and decided to diversify their solution with lab-attested compost blends. Christian explains, “with Waste Blossom, we want to empower urban residents with the tools to take care of their own waste more effectively. We strongly believe that change can only be collective, and a home compost kit and a virtual guidance support will go a long way in ensuring that people not just pick up this practice, but continue to do it regularly.”
Christian also elucidated the need for having lab attested compost mixtures, stating that during their market research they came across a lot of home gardeners who were unhappy with the compost available in the market. Their main concern was a lack of quality. This birthed the idea of lab attested compost blends which are not only organic in nature but also rich in specific micro-nutrients such as Nitrogen or Phosphorous, ensuring that gardeners also use a more science-based approach towards gardening.
Waste Blossom's innovative efforts have recently been recognized through the awarding of the
Government of Gujarat's Startup Srujan Grant. This accolade will facilitate the further development and refinement of their business concepts. The journey of Waste Blossom serves as a compelling illustration of the younger generation's shift towards unconventional career paths, creating not only personal opportunities but also contributing positively to society at large. Additionally, it underscores the trend of international individuals seeking long-term residency in India, ready to dedicate their resources and efforts towards making a significant and enduring impact. India is increasingly becoming a confluence of diverse cultures and ideas, and Waste Blossom exemplifies this transformative trend.
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