In the bustling city of Mumbai resides a hardworking woman named Mohini Mehrotra. At 45, Mohini has embraced the diverse roles life has bestowed upon her — a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a dutiful daughter-in-law. Living in a joint family, her days were a whirlwind of activity, filled with purposeful and sometimes idle engagements.
“Never in my dreams did I think I would start my own business. That one Dabba with Chole Bhature changed my life” — Mohini Mehrotra
Mohini had always been known for her mouth-watering delicacies, but an unexpected compliment set her on a path she never anticipated.
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A beginning…
It all began when her son’s friend called her and said, “Aunty, the food in our hostel is unbearable. Why don’t you start a tiffin service?” Mohini eagerly embraced the idea, and in April 2022, armed with determination and one Dabba, she launched “Mom’s Magic Tiffin Service.” Equipped with her treasured secret recipes and a sprinkle of hope, Mohini ventured into the world of culinary entrepreneurship, ready to weave her magic through each carefully crafted meal.
Creating magic from one tiffin to twenty five…
Word quickly spread about the flavours emanating from Mohini’s kitchen. Students and office-goers from the neighbourhood started enquiring and subscribing to her home-cooked meals. What began with just one tiffin soon became supplying nearly 25 tiffins daily. Mohini shares her heartfelt sentiment, “It’s truly overwhelming to see how my humble tiffin service has flourished. The community’s response and support have been nothing but a dream come true. I feel incredibly grateful and inspired to keep delivering the magic of homemade goodness to all those who appreciate it.”
Scaling up…
Supported by her loving family, Mohini shifted her focus to catering and scaled down the tiffin service. She toiled tirelessly in her humble 6×6 feet kitchen, blending spices and creating heartwarming dabbas infused with love. The magic of Mom’s Tiffin Service began to cast its spell. Within six months, Mohini had hired two assistants to help her in the kitchen.” It was getting impossible to handle everything all by myself. Hence I hired help who assisted me to roll the chapatis and clean the utensils”, shared Mohini.
Determination amidst financial challenges…
Mohini’s face lights up with joy as she shares her bestselling dish, “It’s the beloved Delhi-famous Chole Bhature that steals the hearts of Mumbaikars.” She adds with a touch of nostalgia, “I learned this recipe from my mother before I got married, and little did I know it would lead me to where I am today.”
As Mohini’s business flourished, she dreamt of expanding her services — Investing in a bigger kitchen, more cutlery, and hiring additional help. However, she faced a daunting challenge. With monthly household expenses of 25K, business costs, and an outstanding loan taken for personal use, Mohini found herself at a crossroad. But she was not one to give up easily.
Determination rewarded…
Mohini approached Mahila Money, a trusted fintech platform supporting women entrepreneurs. She applied for a loan of 50K, hoping to overcome the financial obstacles standing in the way of her dreams. Miraculously, her magic worked once again, and her loan was approved. Mohini could now pursue her business expansion plans.
Going beyond tiffins…
The impact of the loan on Mohini’s life has been immense. Her average monthly earnings skyrocketed from 30K to a whopping income of around 70K+. No longer limited to tiffins, she started accepting large catering orders. She recently fulfilled a significant corporate order, serving food to approximately 70–80 people at an event. Mohini expresses her gratitude for the transformative impact of the loan, stating, “I feel fortunate to have started receiving corporate orders. Every day, I see my family’s pride in my progress, and I am immensely proud of myself. It’s an incredible feeling.”
“From employing just a handful, I now provide livelihoods to five dedicated individuals” — Mohini
Business Expansion Creates Job Opportunities and Self-Advocacy
From employing only herself and two assistants, Mohini now employs five individuals. Whenever the demand peaks, she hires additional staff to ensure every order is executed flawlessly. Her business is expanding, and she has become the biggest cheerleader of her success. Mohini proudly remarks, “From employing just a handful, I now provide livelihoods to five dedicated individuals. When the demand soars, I don’t hesitate to bring in extra hands to ensure the flawless execution of every order. Witnessing my business grow and creating job opportunities is an incredible source of fulfilment for me. I’ve become the biggest cheerleader of my success.”
Mohini’s transformation is truly inspiring and serves as a beacon of hope for women everywhere. Her story highlights the importance of recognizing one’s hidden talents, the support of family, and the value of business loans. Mohini’s journey is a powerful reminder that every woman has a unique gift waiting to be discovered and nurtured.
Mohini’s entrepreneurial spirit reminds us that dreams can be achieved with the right support, hardwork and a sprinkle of luck. Her #JiyoApneDumPe journey embodies the core essence of the Mahila Money platform, helping women to fulfill their aspirations- one loan at a time! Together, let’s celebrate Mohini’s triumph and encourage others to follow their dreams with the support they deserve.
Read more #JiyoApneDumPe Success Stories:
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If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to take your business to new heights and is in need of working capital and entrepreneurship resources, come speak to us on Mahila Money. For more such #JiyoApneDumPe live conversations, download the Mahila Money App on Play Store or visit us on www.mahila.money
