Q1. The story behind your Brand name or Logo. Answer: Being a religious person myself and a follower of Guruji, our brand name is u...
Q1. The story behind your Brand name
or Logo.
Answer: Being a religious person
myself and a follower of Guruji, our brand name is under his name -Gurukripa
Foods and Products. Also, the reason to keep this name is it's easy to remember
by anyone. The idea behind the name is to showcase the message of originality
in quality and taste, easy to cook and less time-consuming, just like our
approach towards spirituality.
Q2. Whether this Business is started
by you or Legacy of Generations.
After marriage, I focused on taking care of my
family and managing the household. Yet, since childhood, I always wanted to
start something of my own and be independent. I always used to participate in social
gatherings and social services. Many people during that time complimented me
for my management and organizational skills. Some ask me why I don't start this
as a source of income. The first step to starting my own thing began in 2010; I
entered the Event industry and started managing commercial and social events on
a large scale. With ten years in this business line, things were going well.
During that same period, I learned about Motu Chef Ready to cook dry mixes and
Parc Seasonings. Their concept and people resonated well with me. The
co-founders, both women, shared the same vision of women empowerment, helping
our fellow women be independent and create their individuality in this
competitive world. I joined as a Franchise partner for them in 2019, just
before Covid and I started focusing more on this. God already had plans for me
that he gave me this opportunity before.
Q3. What inspired you to start this
business/ entrepreneurship?
The desire to be independent and the
motivation of my daughters that I can manage the house and Business is the
prime reason to take up entrepreneurship. I believe one's will and support from
loved ones to take up anything in life is vital.
Q4. Kindly introduce your Business,
briefly products and services here.
I want to thank Motu Chef Ready to cook dry
mixes and the Parc Seasonings team. They gave me an excellent opportunity to
collaborate and create my identity in the food industry. Food for everyone and
everywhere is what we aim at Gurukripa Foods and Products. Nowadays, the
quality of food with no added preservative and less time for food preparation
is what a health-conscious consumer want. We offer 50+ ready-to-mix delicacies
in convenient, easy-to-open packaging. From the all-time favorite dish Rajma to
exotic food, the pasta sauce all are under our umbrella: the instant
ready-to-cook gravy, chutneys, seasoning, and masala powders are made with
all-natural ingredients and have six-month shell life. We provide the products
to Business to consumers (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B).
Q5. What kind of significant challenges did
you face while starting/doing business?
It has
never been a smooth ride for me. The biggest hurdle that I had to jump was the
negative mindsets of people around me that, till today, try to demean me in
every possible way. I'm grateful that a few gems in my life are a shield for
me, protecting me from such unwanted and distracting mindsets. After marriage,
even though the desire was there to start things off on my own. The juggling
between household and managing business single-handed has been always there.
The shift to the food industry from the event industry was quite challenging.
With already huge competitors, I was creating a space as a start-up and focusing
on visibility with limited resources was a significant factor. Yet it helped me
work on the strategy to expand Gurukripa in the Indian market and overseas. The
availability of resources for supply was another challenge in covid times.
Networking played an ice breaker here for me and helped me pave the path.
Q6. What were the financial
challenges you had during the start of your Business, and how did you manage
them?
As I mentioned, handling family and own
business single-handed has always been the challenge to maintain the flowing
funds. For Gurukripa Foods and Products, I managed funds from my savings. I’m
grateful at that our family friend Praveen Vyas helped with an initial
investment. Now it has been two years. Through constant support from Motu Chef
Ready to cook dry mixes and the Parc Seasonings team, Networking and active
participation in various groups, slowly and steadily, the flow of funds is
increasing, and Gurukripa has established its name globally.
Q7. Share with our readers the most
inspiring moment in this entrepreneurship or Business journey?
I came from a background (society) where even
today, it's still a far-lost dream of women to start anything of their own or
have the freedom to do so. One thing that I have earned being an Entrepreneur
is Respect. The strength that my daughters give me and the genuine support I
have from a few friends in this back-breaking yet fruitful journey help me keep
moving forward as the Entrepreneur of today.
Q8. Who is your role model or Inspiration in
life, personally or professional life?
My role model is Abraham Lincoln, the former
President of the USA. The life-changing approach that I seek from him is never
to give up, no matter what, and to keep moving forward. You will make it in the
end. I follow this ideology in my personal life and my professional life. The
idea to take entrepreneurship is only because of this and grown into what I'm
today.
Q9. What are your future plans? Or now, what
is your vision for the next five years?
The food industry, specifically ready to cook vertical in this industry, has a bright future and growth in the domestic and international markets. If I talk about my plans, I want to establish Gurukripa in all major cities in India this year and increase the flow in the International market via the export channel. In the coming five years, I want to reach my goal to achieve revenue of 2 Crore in every financial year.
Q10. What are your Core Power Values in Life?
I am a religious
person. For me, the roots of our Indian spirituality are above all. To be good
to others and focus on yourself, remain positive and keep working on goals is
what I value greatly.
Q11. What is the one inspirational or
Motivational message you want to share with our esteemed readers?
It is never too early or too late to
start anything you have desired. The only thing is you should believe in
yourself and never give up on your goal till you achieve it. Rest automatically
falls in place. I want to tell especially these to my fellow women. We are not
less than anyone. If you're going to do anything, don't give up because of what
society will think or whom you will be answerable. Please do it for yourself.
As the famous dialogue from one of the Sharukh's movie goes अगर िकसी चीज को �शद्दत से चाहो तो पूरी कायनात तु�े उससे �मलाने म� लग जाती है is indeed true!
Q12. Your accomplishments and Awards
The happy customers of Gurukripa Foods and
Products are the most significant achievements. It is the only thing that keeps
me on track to thrive more and deliver the best services. Apart from this, I
have organised Mrs. INDIA Rajasthan 2017, Sambhar Mahastav 2019. I have been
accredited for Social Services by Shree Mitra Bharat Samaj Sansthan (2017). I
was grateful that I was invited as Chief Guest by Jaipur Central, Press Club
(2017). While working in the event industry, I have managed exclusive
influential events like Talent Affairs, hosting 500+ plus audiences; Priya
Malik, the Big Boss fame, was the guest. My daughters are the true strong
pillars and soul of my life. Their vibrant energy gave me the strength to
pursue my dream. I would have never thought of pushing myself to this extent
and focusing on my goal of becoming an entrepreneur if it weren't for them. I feel
on cloud nine when their proud eyes look at me, and it gives me a sense of
actual achievement and satisfaction as a Mother.
Q13 Associated with various
Networking Forums & Social Organizations
The art of Networking is one of the
significant factors for any business. I have been in the event industry for ten
years, which has helped me network both in corporate and social service groups.
I want to end my one-on-one with all the readers here with Shukrana (blessings)
of Guruji, whom I follow. Never stop doing your best just because someone
doesn't give you credit. Jai Guruji Stay Blessed Anantam Shukrana Guru Ji
Q14- Kindly find below our presence over social platforms and a link to our website.
Meena Gupta 8233951938 Digital Card https://viewmydigicard.in/card/view/MeenaGupta
https://www.instagram.com/_instantcravings_/?hl=en
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-gupta-7074b3216
Website
Interviewed by
Deepak Toshniwal
Chief Editor - & CEO Deesha Foods
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