‘Sustainable, eco-friendly initiatives are central to our business practices’

An alumnus of Apeejay School of Management (ASM), Dwarka, Tanuj Doda is an accomplished entrepreneur. He completed his PG Diploma in Management in 2019.

Tanuj’s journey from being an Apeejay alumni to starting his own business has been marked by determination, resilience, and a passion for creating green spaces. Realising the increasing levels of pollution in Delhi at an alarming rate and his personal experience with air-purifying plants, Tanuj saw an opportunity to promote a healthier environment while pursuing his entrepreneurial aspirations. He launched Plant Buddies with an endeavour to build a thriving business specialising in landscaping and gardening services for prestigious establishments, including 5-star hotels, malls, and residences.

He ventured into this landscaping and plant delivery industry, initially starting with weekend gardening services and gradually transitioning to a full-time pursuit. The Apeejay alumnus’  commitment to customer satisfaction, attention to quality, and staying updated with industry trends have been instrumental in the success of Plant Buddies. With a vision for expansion and a focus on sustainability, Tanuj aims to grow his business while making a positive impact on the environment. Read edited excerpts of the interview: 

Can you tell us about your journey from being an Apeejay alumni to starting your own business? What inspired you to venture into the landscaping and plant delivery industry?

After graduating from Apeejay School of Management, I began my career as a Business Development Manager at Cogoport. Everything seemed to be going well until the day we received an email announcing a mass layoff. Suddenly, my entire team and I were left jobless. It was during this time that I noticed the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi. As I searched for new job opportunities, I decided to place air-purifying plants in my home and recommended them to my neighbours as well. Concurrently, I joined Justdial Ltd. as a Zonal Manager. On weekends, I started distributing flyers and pamphlets about the benefits of air-purifying plants. Slowly and steadily, I began receiving calls for gardening services. After ten months, I made the decision to pursue gardening full-time and resigned from Justdial.

How do you differentiate your services in the B2B segment, catering to farmhouses, resorts, and hotels? And what unique value do you offer to your clients in this segment?

The B2B segment is crucial to us as each client represents significant value. To differentiate our services, I firmly believe in providing value for money. Going the extra mile and offering something beyond the client’s expectations keeps them happy and satisfied. This approach is particularly important in the hotel industry, where we often engage in long-term projects that require consistent dedication and exceptional service.

How do you ensure customer satisfaction and maintain the quality of your products and services at Plant Buddies?

I believe in satisfying myself first because I am my own harshest critic. By setting high standards for my work, I can deliver results that satisfy my clients as well. In terms of building strong relationships, we regularly check the plants and planters we install. If any plant is damaged, we replace it through our maintenance service. This proactive approach keeps our clients happy and satisfied with the quality of our products and services.

Can you share an example of a challenging project you worked on, either in the B2B or B2C segment, and how you successfully executed it? What were the key strategies you employed to overcome the challenges?

Recently, we completed a challenging project that involved fulfiling a return gift order for a plant and chocolate combo. The clients were the famous actress Parineeti Chopra and politician Mr. Raghav Chadha. The order was significant and required immediate attention. Although we didn’t have the required inventory, I accepted the order and arranged the stock urgently from Dehradun. My team and I worked tirelessly throughout the night without a single minute of pause and managed to deliver the order on time. I am satisfied that we were able to successfully complete the project.

What are some key trends you have observed in the landscaping and plant industry, and how do you stay updated with these trends to offer innovative solutions to your clients?

One key trend in the industry is the ability to create landscape gardens instantly by transferring large trees from one location to another. Additionally, the availability of natural grass carpets helps in designing gardens effectively. Clients are also open to experimenting and creating something new every day. To stay updated with these trends, I actively engage in industry research, attend relevant conferences and seminars, and network with professionals in the field. This allows me to offer innovative solutions to my clients and promptly adapt to changing market demands.

How do you approach sustainability and environmental considerations in your business practices? Are there any eco-friendly initiatives or practices that you have implemented within Plant Buddies?

Sustainability and environmental considerations are central to our business practices. We encourage our clients to use clay and natural fibre pots instead of plastic ones. Additionally, we avoid the use of chemical fertilisers for our plants and opt for natural alternatives. These eco-friendly initiatives help us reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment.

Can you provide insights into your future plans for Plant Buddies? Do you have any expansion or diversification plans in mind, or are there any new services or offerings you are considering?

Currently, I am actively working towards building a skilled team, which will be my first step toward automating project delivery. Once I have a reliable team in place, I plan to expand my services to cities beyond the Delhi NCR region. In the next two years, I aim to establish Plant Buddies in mini-metro cities like Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. This expansion will allow me to cater to a broader client base and explore new opportunities while ensuring the seamless execution of our orders.