``I used to be a chauffeur working for a private concern but it was a temporary job. Besides, I had always wanted to start some business of my own. I like flowers, so I decided to stick with them,'' says Jacob.

Although he had no previous business experience, Jacob feels that he has a natural knack for it. ``In the flower business, you need to have a sense of colour, symmetry and presentation. Making a bouquet involves selecting the right kind of flowers and the right colour.''

He makes a standard bouquet with asters, roses, gladioli and golden rods, a sprinkle of water to retain that fresh look and some coloured thermocol beads to add that dash of colour. Jacob does not want to take chances with the more exotic variety of flowers like orchids. ``They are more expensive and customers can always buy them elsewhere.''

His day starts at 8 a.m., when a tempo carrying its scented cargo arrives at his outlet from Manjri village near Hadapsar, where the flowers are grown. ``I have to inform them about the supply for the next day as well. This is a seasonal business in terms of flowers and clientele.'' So when wedding bells resound through the marriage season of March, it finds Jacob's cash register ringing. Valentine's Day is another time when it is roses, roses all the way.

About 60 clients make a beeline for the corner every day. ``Usually, I have a small clientele in the evenings and manage to make about Rs. 30 to 40 a day.'' Red roses remain an enduring favourite with customers, he says. It's not always a rosy prospect, though. Many a time, at the end of a hard day, Jacob has had to dump his stock of flowers into the dustbin when there have been no takers. He insists though that artificial flowers are not as popular as the real thing. ``The real stuff will always be more popular,'' he reasons.