Jobaaj Stories
"Lead by example, run smart, run well, and you will run far," says Prerna, founder of Natureship foods. The spirit of her journey can be seen in her words, which are a dynamic blend of business knowledge, entrepreneurial passion, and a strong dedication to social impact.
In a recent podcast interview with Jobaaj Stories, the founder of Natureship foods candidly shared her inspiring transition from a corporate career to building a company that uplifts rural women and celebrates traditional Indian foods.
A surprising twist entered Prerna's path during the COVID-19 lockdown. While visiting her hometown in Jharkhand, she saw the suffering of women whose husbands, migrant laborers, had to return home because of the pandemic. She got an idea from witnessing their tenacity and ingrained understanding of customary eating habits.
"At that point of time, I started feeling this wasn't what they deserved," Prerna recalls. "They have so much knowledge, 100-year-old wisdom with them." This insight, along with her own business sense, lit the spark that would eventually become Natureship foods.
Natureship foods's core mission is to empower women. The company achieves this by directly sourcing ingredients from women farmers, creating a network of trust and mutual benefit. "We procure from our own network...because they are verified by us," Prerna emphasizes. This ensures fair prices for the farmers and a reliable source of high-quality ingredients for the company.
But Natureship foods's commitment to women goes beyond procurement. These women are involved in every step of the production process, from cleaning and roasting to the labor-intensive art of stone grinding. "The entire process, from procuring to handing it over for delivery, is done by rural ladies," Prerna explains. This holistic approach not only provides income but also fosters a sense of agency and community among the women.
Also read, Anmol Mangharam: Baking Joy for those with Food Allergies | Baked In BLR
The company's flagship product, sattu (a traditional roasted gram flour power drink), is a symbol of this empowerment. While embracing modern business practices, Prerna is adamant about preserving the traditional methods that make sattu a nutritional powerhouse. "We don't want to lose our traditional processing techniques," she declares. "It's okay to be modern, but it is also important to have some touch of where we came from."
Within the vibrant atmosphere of Natureship foods's village workshop, where approximately 80 women work, a remarkable story unfolds: the story of Ambika Upadhyay, the workshop manager.
Prerna describes Ambika as her "personal favorite." Having faced the trauma of divorce and the ensuing social stigma, Ambika found solace and purpose at Natureship foods. She started with basic tasks but quickly learned and grew, eventually taking on the responsibility of managing the entire workshop.
"She went from barely knowing how to use a laptop to running the entire operation," Prerna marvels. Ambika's resilience and determination have not only transformed her own life but also inspired the women around her. She is a living testament to the power of opportunity and the human spirit.
Natureship foods's success is not just about financial gains; it's about building a brand that customers trust and believe in. Prerna fondly recalls a customer who conducted a unique "settling test," comparing Natureship foods's sattu to a mass-market brand. The customer found that the mass-market product dissolved completely, leaving no residue, while Natureship foods's sattu had some particles that settled at the bottom.
Also read, Meet Chirag: The Guy Who Built a Business on a Bad Joke I Matar Media
"That's when I understood that it's so pure, it's so fine," the customer told Prerna. This story exemplifies Natureship foods's commitment to authenticity and the trust it has fostered with its customer base.
The company's growth, largely driven by word-of-mouth and repeat customers, is a testament to the quality of its products and the strength of its mission. While Natureship foods is currently listed on major online platforms, Prerna envisions expanding its reach through digital marketing in the future.
Prerna's entrepreneurial journey has not been without its hurdles. She emphasizes the importance of navigating the complex regulatory landscape of food production in India. Obtaining necessary certifications like FSSAI licenses and GST registration is a crucial step for any food startup. "We had to start the process of documentation quite early on," she explains.
Prerna's experience offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. She stresses the importance of balancing passion with pragmatism, of hustling with a clear direction, and of avoiding burnout. "Make a mental map," she advises, "10 years, 20 years, how many years do you want to work?" It's about creating a sustainable and fulfilling work-life balance.
She also credits the mentorship and guidance from the IIM Ahmedabad incubation program for playing a significant role in Natureship foods's success. The program provided her with valuable resources and a supportive network of fellow entrepreneurs.
Prerna's vision for Natureship foods is one of continued growth and expansion. She aims to increase the number of women involved in the production process and expand the network of farmers from whom they source ingredients. "We want to procure from our own network," she reiterates.
But expansion does not mean compromising on quality or the company's core values. Prerna is adamant about maintaining the 'ground-up' philosophy that puts community at the heart of everything Natureship foods does. "There are no different hands," she says. "It's just two hands, the farmer's hand and their hand, and then it reaches the customer."
Prerna's story is proof of the strength of perseverance, passion, and the transformational potential of business when it is motivated by something other than profit. Beyond simply a food enterprise, Natureship foods is an empowering symbol, an indicator of hope, and a delicious reminder of the rich traditions at the core of Indian cuisine.
Also read, From Agra to the World: Reetesh Gupta's Beadsnfashion.com empowers a global communit
