In 2009, Shri Niwas-Kabra came to the United States from Nepal with a dream of starting his own business. Shri was inspired to start a business centered on connection, affordability, and emotional ties after he was unable to celebrate the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandham from afar.
But he struggled to obtain funding to start his business.
“I had no relationship with a bank, but I did have a dream,” said Shri. “A4CB gave me a $1,000 Credit Builder loan, which turned my dream into a reality and led to the successful business I have today.”
In 2009, with $700 in savings and his A4CB loan, Shri opened Emotional Bonding. Today Emotional Bonding is a floral shop specializing in fresh flowers, gift baskets, plants, and more and provides services to funeral homes, event companies, and everyday consumers.
Emotional Bonding, which was named for the connections Shri’s services celebrate, first operated out of Shri’s apartment. With limited experience in the floral industry and no formal expertise, Shri taught himself floral design. As he developed his skills, he returned to A4CB and received another loan in 2011, which helped him secure a mall kiosk. The business eventually expanded into a storefront in Niles, a northwest suburb of Chicago.
Access to capital was essential to Shri’s business stability and success. In 2013, another loan from A4CB enabled Shri to purchase a second delivery van, allowing his drivers to serve customers more efficiently. As the floral industry changed, competition from online flower shops and grocery store florists increased.
“People who know the difference between a grocery store flower and a florist arrangement will still go to flower shops,” said Shri. “But most people look at the price and just go with grocery store flowers.”
Recognizing the importance of innovation, Emotional Bonding adapted. Shri joined the 1-800-Flowers and FTD Flower Delivery networks to grow his business. To keep the cost of flowers lower, Shri expanded into wholesale, launching Elite Floral Wholesale in 2018. Elite Floral Wholesale provides wholesale flowers to event and wedding planners, floral designers, and businesses in the greater Chicago area.
In 2024, another loan from A4CB helped Shri relocate Emotional Bonding to a new space in Niles, allowing him to increase inventory and merge his retail storefront with his wholesale operations.
Today, Shri employs a team of five and consistently ranks among the top 500 florists in the country. As the business settles into its new location, Shri plans to expand services with weekly floral design classes, personalized gifting, and a greater focus on weddings and events. Nearly 20 years later Emotional Bonding’s mission remains the same: delivering smiles and honoring the connections that make us human.
