At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Poonam Shah for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Poonam is an Entrepreneur and Founder of Meethe Mein. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Poonam:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I grew up in a Gujarati family that was full of passion and had a strong focus on business, always aspiring to become a successful businesswoman, and I pursued my studies in Business Management in Coimbatore.
My father along with being in his family business was also a Tea Trader and during my childhood days I would observe the Tea Samples and would play around the Tea powders emptying the Sample packets to make a mountain out it and was a play, later one day when I grew up I asked my father with a doubt of permission if I can join him the Coimbatore Tea Auction, to my surprise my father had agreed and I accompanied him to the center, when I entered the center it was an area full of thrill and smartness and speed. I doubted my abilities and stepped back and said Dad, I can’t do this.
The upcoming week, my father did not accompany me and asked me to go alone and represent the company to fulfil the orders we had. I was the youngest and the only Female in the entire Tea auction. Before I could even open my mouth to bid, I realized the auction was over and the Teas were sold.
My father then urged me to work in a Tea Company for experience, and I had also been offered a job from GIRNAR TEA, one of the largest Tea Exporters in India and one of the top Brands in INDIA. Initially, I kept refusing, but later I joined them with a condition that I would work only for 3 months, as I always wanted to handle my own business.
I ended up working for 9 years with tuff training, and that was when I learnt the most. I started tasting the Teas and started buying for their export requirements. Later, I also took an interest in their Domestic products and went around all the shops to market their products, that was another big learning.
Now, to increase the sales for the brand in South India, where other Brands were dominant, we decided to start a Tea Café, which gave me a learning of the food industry.
Now I started feeling that I want to do something of my own and then I had this idea of Kulfi which as a child I would enjoy kulfis sold in Mumbai near my grandma’s house and wanted to bring this to people which is so rich and our traditional dessert and much healthier compared to some of the Ice Creams in the market. Hence, I went to one of my friends and expressed this idea, and since she was too related to Maharashtra agreed to this, we decided to start a small outlet.
How did you discover your passion?
From a young age, I expressed my enthusiasm to my mother by saying that one day I would embark on a business venture and strive for success. When I entered my 20s, I felt a strong desire to launch a business, and during my time at GIRNAR TEA, I discovered that I possessed certain skills and a passion for entrepreneurship.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Absolutely, there have been numerous challenges and difficult periods, but the sole solution for me has been my spiritual practice that sustained me, and the “Art of Living” Happiness Program is what truly transformed my life.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
I have learned numerous lessons, but one of the most valuable insights in business is to foster positive relationships with everyone, regardless of their position, whether they are at the bottom or the top. A true leader is someone who not only leads but also cultivates other leaders.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
1) Take responsibility
2) Be Committed, come what may
3) Learn new Skills
4) Maintain Good Relations
5) Be Humble
6) Learn to have good Communication Skills.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
To all the young students in today’s generation:
I would say one this is to be committed and work under someone, only then you can be a successful entrepreneur, develop patience and be humble, learn different skills and move with confidence and focus on quality, may it be your own self or your product or service. Work hard and work smart, both. It should be a combination of both.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey continues, and I’m currently engaged in two new projects, which is thrilling. I’m focusing on furthering my knowledge in today’s evolving and demanding market.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
