In the green streets of Kochi, Kerala, Anju Francis is busy catering to locals with delights from her kitchen. Late afternoons see children with heavy backpacks drop in for cookies while women from the neighbourhood are routine early visitors picking up loaves of bread. Amid chit-chats and the aroma of freshly baked goodies, Anju’s kitchen and heart are filled with laughter.

From Home Baker To Tiffin Specialist, Anju Francis Is Cooking Up Ambitions…

34-year-old Anju’s dream was simple yet powerful — to indulge the taste buds of her community with delightful home-baked food.

“As I got married after finishing high school, I never got the opportunity to pursue higher education. Deep within, I always wanted to become financially stable by starting my earning venture. I kept looking around for business ideas but did not consider the culinary skills I possessed. It was only during one of the family gatherings that a family member suggested I start my food venture that the cooking business finally started taking shape,” says Anju.

Anju’s mother’s provision store became the hub for picking up vegetables and groceries for her business. “My mother’s never-dying determination is the main reason the store earns a profit of INR 2.5k every day. My husband, who works in a shipyard with a salary of INR 50K per month, inspires me to be financially stable,” Anju states proudly.

What started as a humble business of selling baked goodness like puffs, bread and coconut cookies, now provides tiffin parcels to government offices, cottages, and numerous satisfied customers across Kochi.

Sharing her marketing strategies, Anju says, “Earlier, I used Facebook for marketing for a year to find customers for my lunch boxes. Later, I also began using WhatsApp.” These strategies fetched her an order of around 30 parcels daily priced at INR 70 each. “The business began to pour in profits,” Anju declares happily.

Anju Acknowledged The Need For Additional Support To Help Her Business Grow And Succeed…

“From preparing to delivering food, the whole process got tiring to manage single-handedly. The need to hire two more workers also became visible. With my business growing, I needed to invest in additional equipment like bigger cooking utensils and get a larger kitchen,” says Anju. That’s when Anju approached Mahila Money to turn her entrepreneurial growth dreams into a reality.

A Business Loan, Fueling Growth and Expansion

Deciding to seek additional capital, Anju completed her loan application on the Mahila Money app. “The loan process was very smooth, and after submitting all the relevant documents, I got the amount credited to my account within 15 days,” says Anju.

With a loan of INR 2 lacs from Mahila Money, Anju invested in her business by getting essential accessories and revamping her kitchen. She also hired two helping hands, enabling her to take on more orders.

Unleashing Potential: Serving 60 Tiffin Parcels Daily, A 50% Increase…

Remarkably transforming her business, Anju now delivers 60 parcels daily, which yields a monthly profit of INR 60–65K, a 50% jump from her previous returns of INR 30K. Anju expresses, “With the two women working under me, I effectively organised tasks and supplied orders on time. All the positive factors were the reason my business was able to deliver success.”

Encouraged by the hit of her first loan, Anju accepted Mahila Money’s top-loan offer in December. “The additional loan amount of INR 65K allowed me to procure Christmas-themed items and take on more cake orders, substantially boosting my income during the festive season,” informs Anju.

Building A Solid Financial Foundation With Timely EMI Repayments

Running a business has made Anju aware of the upsides of financial discipline and ensures that her EMI payments and loan repayments are never compromised. “Even if I see a financial crisis on its way, I ensure my daily savings of INR 800–1000 do not get affected,” Anju shares. This unwavering commitment to fulfilling her loan responsibilities showcases her determination and responsibility as an entrepreneur.

Going Beyond Business: A Celebration of Resilience and Growth…

With growing orders and increasing profits, Anju is determined to continue scaling her business and filling her community with the aroma of her delicious treats. With Mahila Money’s business loans and an all-encompassing business plan, she believes this is only the beginning of her success journey. Anju’s flourishing business and #JiyoApneDumPe spirit are a testament to the power of persistence.

If you are a #JiyoApneDumPe woman entrepreneur who wants to take your business to new heights and needs working capital and entrepreneurship resources, speak to us on Mahila Money. Apply for a loan of up to 25 lakhs to fuel your business growth by downloading the Mahila Money App or visiting our website http://www.mahila.money.