In the 21st century, we as a society have come a long way. However, the expectation for a mother to put aside her career and prioritise her children is still the norm. It is a challenge that most women still face today. In the same scenario, there are some women who didn’t just prioritise their children but also balanced their entrepreneurial journeys with their dedication towards their family. These mompreneurs in the food and travel industry have launched their successful running brands, setting benchmarks and inspiring fellow mothers.
Mompreneurs Behind Successful Food And Travel Brands
1. Gunjan Shrivastava: Founder Of Saffron & Mishri
A visual artist with a PhD, Gunjan Srivastava, directed her creative curiosity into the world of mithai making. With Saffron & Mishri, an artisanal Mithai brand, she aims to bring back the hygienic, clean, and authentic art of Indian traditional sweets. As a mother and a true lover of culture and heritage, she is bringing back forgotten recipes and ancient techniques used by the finest mithai artisans across the country.
She pours her soul into her work and commits to authenticity to make sure that she provides the best for her family as well as everyone she caters to at Saffron & Mithai. This artisanal venture is not just a business but her way of preserving the best of Indian sweets.
2. Pallavi Khaitan: Founder Of For_kandknife & Ambrosia
A mother and a food enthusiast, Pallavi Khaitan, found her calling and her inspiration from cooking shows like MasterChef Australia. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that she decided to finally pursue her passion for global cuisine and launched her home kitchen venture, For_kandknife, and it soon turned into a thriving business. Later, alongside co-founder Aparna Kanoi, Pallavi launched Ambrosia – The Tasting Table.
It is a premium cloud kitchen that offers gourmet dining experiences for intimate celebrations, balancing her entrepreneurial spirit with motherhood. She not only put her family’s well-being first but also worked tirelessly to create dishes that are fresh and diverse. She experiments with flavours and creates memorable meals not just for her family but also for her customers.
3. Vidisha Bathwal: Founder Of Paprika Gourmet
Vidisha Bathwal’s journey as a mompreneur began with her drive to create culinary masterpieces that aligned with her passion for fitness. With Paprika Gourmet, she brought her dream to life, offering exotic and artisanal catering in Kolkata. Vidisha considers cooking a therapeutic activity for her, where she infuses joy into everything that she makes. As a mother, she strives to build a legacy and is determined to expand Paprika Gourmet globally.
Her belief also led to the opening of Paprika Dubai, which was opened in 2020, when the entire world was shutting down due to COVID-19. Vidisha Batwal represents a sincere blend of passion and determination, as she continues to redefine the gourmet catering space while raising her children.
4. Nadia Sood: Co-founder Of Bebida Hospitality Private Limited
A serial entrepreneur with a passion for food and culture, Nadia Sood’s career is anything but conventional. Before co-founding Bebida Hospitality, she successfully managed large investments and worked in various high-profile roles, including with Nestlé. Despite her successful corporate career, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to the food industry, where she combines her love for global cuisine with her entrepreneurial acumen.
As a mother, she perfectly balances her life running Bebida, engaging in creative ventures like multimedia art and raising her children. She believes that true success comes from embracing one’s passions, and this approach reflects in her business ventures as well. Her commitment to excellence has made her a true icon of the mompreneur movement.
5. Tejas Parulekar: Founder Of SaffronStays
A mother of two and the founder of SaffronStays, Tejas Paralekar has created a hospitality network that offers luxury homestays across India. She is giving families a chance to bond in a comfortable home while they are on vacation. Her journey began in the corporate world, where she worked as a chartered accountant and corporate banker before she ventured into entrepreneurship. During a family trip in Europe, she was struck with a question: Why wasn’t anyone catering to people with quality homestays back home?
Teaming up with her husband, they launched a platform that turns holidays into a comfortable stay. Certainly, an entrepreneurial path is not easy, but Tejas manages motherhood and entrepreneurship in the most brilliant way. She has managed to grow SaffronStays to over 475 homes across India, all the while raising her children with determination and perseverance. Her skill and experience are proof that success can be built while nurturing a family.
6. Sonal Barmecha: Founder Of Sante Spa Cuisine
Sonal Barmecha’s journey to becoming an mompreneur revolves around the concept that food can be both delicious and nourishing. She is the founder of Santé Spa Cuisine, a space where she promotes healthy eating like never before. She was brought up in a disciplined, fitness-driven environment, and her mindset for life led her to launch this wellness-driven restaurant in Mumbai. Even though she has a background in chartered accountancy, her passion for healthy living led her to create this culinary sanctuary that offers guilt-free dining experiences.
She believes in a hands-on attitude at work, where she manages everything from orders to operations herself. She has also built a strong community of customers while overcoming challenges like finding quality ingredients and building a dedicated team. Her entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring tale of bringing together motherhood with ambition. As she continues to nourish both her family and her business, she proves that one can be a compassionate mother and a successful entrepreneur at the same time.
7. Vandita Purohit: Founder Of Mauji, Kalapentry And TraWork
Vandita Parohit is a woman of many talents. She is an entrepreneur, a storyteller, a designer, and above all, a dedicated mother. Even when it comes to entrepreneurship, she founded not one, not two, but three ventures. She is the founder of Kalapentry, a sustainable furniture startup where she focuses on renovating and reusing old furniture; TraWork, a work-travel initiative that allows people to work while travelling the world; and Mauji, a unique concept-based cafe in Pune and Nagpur where you have to pay for the time you spend at the cafe and the beverages are on the house.
Her love for travel, creativity, and the ability to think out of the box has led to the success of all her ventures. Powered by imagination and hard work, she showcases how one can craft a business that aligns with personal values. She also inspires fellow mompreneurs and proves that it is possible to create thriving businesses while balancing family life.
8. Moushumi Sircar: Restaurateur And Partner Of Bonne Femme
Moushumi Sarkar transitioned her career from technology to the world of fine dining. A mother and the partner behind Bonne Femme, a gourmet restaurant in Kolkata, she made a bold decision to leave her career as a senior consultant at TCS and give entrepreneurship a shot. Inspired by her Bengali roots and global culinary influences, she gave the ‘City of Joy’ a restaurant that brings together gourmet dishes with personal flair. From handling operations, logistics, and guest experience at Bonne Femme, she truly does it all.
She makes sure that her vision is reflected in the restaurant’s brand in every way. However, what makes her journey even more inspiring is the way she balances her life as a working mother. After the birth of her son, she was faced with challenges while returning to work, but ultimately proved that it’s possible to blend motherhood and entrepreneurship. Today, Bonne Femme is one of the most popular restaurants in Kolkata and proof of her hard work and vision.
These amazing mompreneurs turned their love for food and travel into professional success, all the while nurturing their family.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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