“We want to change the perception that eating healthy is a “niche”. IT IS FOR ALL.” Saher Motiwla, a former media student, she graduated from the University of Arts, London. After having worked with Filmfare and NDTV Good Times, this renowned media professional now covers health and wellness stories. Saher herself weighed 100 kilos at the age of 15 and was introduced to the concept of ‘healthy eating’ as a teenager.
Something about your startup ‘Health Box’. THE HEALTH BOX is a health food service delivering FRESH, HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS MEALS across South and Central Delhi… We are the first of a kind home/office delivery service that cater to a every pocket size and health needs of our consumers. Within a span of 6 months, we have been embraced whole-heartedly for our genuine healthy food and take orders both online on our website and offline. For example: We have sugar free wheat wraps and baked whole-wheat burgers ranging from 150/- and we have gourmet meals such as Thai steamed fish with brown rice or grilled chicken with feta salad starting from 250/- We also have vegan salads, all day healthy breakfasts and detox smoothies for those looking to eat light and clean.
What ignited the spark in you to have your own venture? Primarily because I and my partner Ankush Oswal have both been health conscious eaters from way past our school days. I weighed 100kgs at the age of 15 so I was introduced to the concept of eating healthy way back when the whole health food movement was nonexistent. Ankush too has shed 30 kilos of weight to be fit. People back then only went on “diets” to lose weight. However, things are changing now. We want to endorse healthy eating as a lifestyle choice and not just an option for meeting certain goals. Personally for me, eating wisely has always been a part of my lifestyle, but with growing demands of a corporate lifestyle, stressful lives, erratic working hours, we tend to not find enough time or motivation to whip up a healthy meal. It was a year back when we saw a gap in the market and thought why not introduce healthy eating options for people like US out there who are looking to eat genuine, healthy food and lead a healthy lifestyle.
How has the journey been and please share future goals. The journey has been a rollercoaster! Sometimes extremely tough, sometimes so exciting.. But over all its been fabulous to see our products been appreciated and embraced by everyone! It feels great to be a part of a health revolution and give back to society by spreading awareness and helping people to stay healthy and fit. Being healthy and fit makes one happy and we are humbled to be a reason for bringing that smile on someone’s face! Well there are lots of future goals in the pipeline! Primarily to expand further and create a healthy eating revolution in the country! Also, eating clean is about going back to the basics essentially. Following what our ancestors did and taking notes from their way of living! We want to change the perception that eating healthy is a “niche”. IT IS FOR ALL. We all tend to make healthier eating choices every single day and we want to spread the message far and wide in the country and reach every household!
What all challenges did you face and was the reward worth the struggle? The challenges were primarily to build a great quality product within our shoe string budget.. However, with perseverance and a great team, we managed to do so. Since, we are an ONLY deliver service with no visual presence; it has been a challenge for us to get more and more people in Delhi to be a part of the health revolution. Our philosophy has always been simple; deliver great quality and sufficient quality food that’s tasty and healthy. Also, our main “hero” in our story is our “Food”. Maintaining consistency and quality has been challenging and extremely rewarding too. When we receive fabulous feedback from our clients, it keeps us going forward and striving to be better. Also, when people call us from places such as Mumbai and Kolkata, it strengthens our belief in pushing forward our philosophy.
What are your views on the thought, that as compared to male counterparts, it’s harder and more struggling for females to make a mark professionally? I don’t really think that anyone can stop you from making a mark, if you have strong willpower, dedication and you wish to pursue your goal unrelentlessly.
What piece of advice would you like to give to the aspiring youth who wish to pursue their dream of becoming an entrepreneur? There is only one thing that is stopping from making your dream a reality and that is YOU. So move and go out there and make a difference. And when friends and family tell that you can do it.. Believe them!
According to you, what are the top three essential skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Patience, Innovation and Leadership
How do you manage the work-life balance and has the family been supportive? Family has been extremely supportive, however, if it wasn’t for my mother and my partner Ankush Oswal, I wouldn’t have taken the next step to becoming an entrepreneur.
What are your views and opinions towards the ambiguous need to promote women entrepreneurship and women empowerment in India? According to me, women empowerment starts from HOME. Whether it is education, moral support or freedom, small steps will help them achieve bigger and better goals. And freedom essentially is the Freedom to make a choice, from choosing a life partner and a career, to choosing a field of study or being a parent. Women freedom is the first step towards empowering them. And that would help build great women entrepreneurs for the future.
