Leaders

The rate of success can nevertheless be defined before putting in our best efforts in the job, rather it’s the determination to seek one’s passion despite the probabilities of failure that paves the path to success. Ridhima Narula is one such ardent entrepreneur who applied the best of her dedication to realize her passion for cooking and thus made her way into the F&B sector. But despite hailing from or getting married into an affluent business class family, little did she know about business, then. However, they were her mother and her husband who ignited the confidence in her to take a step ahead, and thus Meethi REET- a fusion but traditional taste intact sweet shop, came into being in 2012.

Engaging in an exclusive conversation with Ridhima, the CEO Insights magazine brings to you in-depth information about Ridhima and her inspirational journey with Meethi REET. Kindly read through the excerpts:

What was the inspiration behind venturing into the F&B industry and establishing Meethi REET?

Well, I would call myself an accidental entrepreneur. Though I have been very fond of cooking, since I was in ninth grade, cooking a lot of non-veg items, preparing mousse, and baking cakes, I never thought of pursuing it as a profession. My meandering journey of becoming a sweet purveyor began when one fine day I tasted Besan Barfi and got spell-bound with its taste. Later, I not only prepared some homemade Besan Barfi but distributed it amongst my family & friends. Everybody quite liked the taste and one amongst those requested for 30 boxes of it. Then, I didn’t pay much heed to it and just prepared some as requested, but when that led to more & more such orders, it hyped me, and I didn’t know what to do about it. But, things turned out quite wonderfully when I approached my mother and husband to talk about it. Surprisingly, they were very supportive of the idea and stood by me to help me realize it.

I started off with my venture working from the home kitchen and within 6-8 months landed a big order from a big corporate company. It was quite challenging then, but I accomplished it by spending some capital from five lakh rupees of my saved money- buying some commercial gas stoves, and the ingredients, with assistance from all my home, staff-helpers, cleaners, drivers and guards. At the time, beginning my business with the home kitchen to store, and then store to the basement, and further to our first outlet in Gurgaon I went on with my venture Meethi REET acquiring the whole three floors of the complex. Earlier, where there were just two items on our menu- Besan Barfi and Panjiri, today we offer a whole list of 12-14 sweets including other savouries like Matthi and more.

Define Meethi REET as an organization and its present position in the marketplace.

The Delhi-based Meethi Reet is a sweet shop that offers traditional Indian sweets with a contemporary twist in it to its customers. The delicacies here just can’t seem enough to delectate the Indian taste buds, and people want more of it, which accelerates the production in high bulks in today's time. Our policy is to deliver the best to our customers, and hence, we focus on quality rather than quantity. It's my strategy as an entrepreneur that if I introduce any particular item, I ensure to give it a full standing, and hence we never introduce any item without mastering the recipe. Also, we have made it a trend to introduce only one item a year that too after receiving thorough feedback from our trusted clients & customers.

“Our policy is to deliver the best to our customers, and hence, we focus on quality”

Precisely, every staff & chef at Meethi REET is personally trained under me. All the staff here are equally dedicated as I am and possess the freedom of speech too to put forth their best suggestions. Our growth is the result of our tenacity in the job and, thus we’ve been growing through word of mouth.

Tell us about Meethi REET's unique service concept as well as your expansion plans in the future?

For decades, we all feel ourselves bound with the traditional mithais concept but today there’s the generation who demand new treats like chocolates, candies, and more. Meethi REET’s concept is to bridge this gap by providing sweets with a contemporary twist, hence we’re diligently comprehending it. We are also known as a boutique concept sweet shop. Today while we’re present in Gurgaon and West Delhi, our future plans entail covering the South Delhi area and opening our outlets there in the coming year-end or next.

What’s your leadership philosophy? Based on your strong professional experience, what advice would you give to the upcoming entrepreneurs in the industry?

As an entrepreneur, I would say I work with a diverse class of people, be it labour class in terms of my employees or the clientele who come from a middle class, upper class, or a higher class, hence my topmost philosophy goes by treating all with equality. There’s nothing high or low and there’s also a proper managerial hierarchy to go through respective departments, be it manufacturing, logistics, or anything. I don’t follow a clock rule for work, I instead turn the clock to 25 hrs when required. There’s no pressure of work, but my people always lend me a great hand when needed.

My advice to all the entrepreneurs out there is to never lose sight of your passion and seek what really makes you feel happy.

Ridhima Narula, Founder, Meethi Reet

A staunch businesswoman who is following her passion for cooking quite intricately through her sweet shop Meethi REET in the F&B industry.