Brief introduction about yourself and tell us something about your startup? I’m 41 years old, married and have a 16 year old son. I’ve been a career- oriented person all my life working in various companies in the marketing field. A few years back I reached a point where working for others just wasn’t driving me anymore. So one fine day I decided to quit my job in real estate industry and take sometime to think what I wanted to do. I was always very fond of baking and always inspired by small café’s and eateries all over the world where the chef would serve the food that he would muster up daily rather than going by the book. After completing my bakery chef course, I decided that I wanted to open up such a café where people can sit for hours listening to music, sipping their coffee and just being. The Delhi Canteen is just the first extension of all things that are quintessentially me, so I just went with my instinct as to how it should shape up.
Your passion for experimenting with food is awe-inspiring, what led to inception of Horizon Hospitality? My husband has been into the food industry for last 15 years but somehow due to my work and my responsibilities I could never be a part of his projects even though food always inspired me. Now since I was finally done with my working elsewhere I could let my creative juices flow and let me come up with what I always wanted to do.
Please talk a bit about your ventures Global Cuisines and The Delhi Canteen. Global cuisines is a catering company run by us for last 3 years doing custom made catering for a small gathering of 20-200 people, we specialize in corporate parties, small get togethers and cocktails. TDC is very close to my heart as this is an extension of me as I visualize a café to be. The food and the menu here is done by me to the T and I worked out all the details of the recipes after doing my research and I bake all our breads and desserts in house.
Thoughtful names for every delicacy, your menu is exclusive and impressive, please share the idea behind drafting such a unique menu? Just something fun and quirky describing Delhi in a fun way. This place is not just another restaurant to come and eat, but rather a place where you get a fun experience when you sit and read the menu. Anyone who starts going through the menu has a good laugh, something to lighten them up and let the good time begin.
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? Yes for sure its more difficult for women to make a mark as somehow they are still not taken as seriously and the men out there somehow still like to look at women as someone who should sit at home and raise a family. Nothing wrong in that, but it’s a struggle nevertheless.
What piece of advice would you like to give to the aspiring youth who wish to pursue their dream of becoming an entrepreneur? It’s a tough world out there and unfortunately creativity alone cannot take you ahead. You need to be kickass and creative and ready to go through the grind. But having said that the world is your oyster and there are so many possibilities open for the youth of today, so let yourself flow.
According to you, what are the top three essential skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Patience, perseverance and creativity. You need to be unique in what you present.
How do you manage the work-life balance? Just go with the flow, I don’t take life too seriously, it happens. Just use time wisely!
What are your views and opinions towards the ambiguous need to promote women entrepreneurship and women empowerment in India? All over the world women are progressing in every field and India being the youngest population in the world, I feel we should really make efforts to make our generations to come very strong and give them the space to help them fly in their chosen field of interest. Do not strangle the youth, let them do what their heart tells them and give them space to do it.
Words for IWIL: I can only thank team IWIL for giving me this opportunity to say something about myself as frankly I didn’t even think that I deserve to be written about. i did what my heart led me to do and I left the rest to god to lead me in the right direction. So thanks to all of you and keep up the good work.
