Business2Business had a personal and insightful interview with Mrs. Arti, the founder of Arti's Jam & Sauces. She enlightens us with her journey till now and also provides us tips on how to make startups work. Do check out her interview below.
1. What motivated you to start your own company?
I had always dreamt about starting something on my own. It was a dream until I discover my talent in cooking. The journey started on a boring day when I took a break from my job and as usual watching some you-tube videos of travel and cooking. One day I was watching YouTube video on strawberry jam, which caught my interest and I had some strawberries lying in the fridge, so I immediately tried my hands on the jam, and it was an instant hit at home, that caught my interest and I started exploring about jam making techniques and recipes When everybody started appreciating the uniqueness of the products I created and some of my friends who are working moms wanted to buy it, as they felt safe to feed the food I make to their kids, it was the moment of enlightenment for me. Definitely, all of us want to feed our family the best food, which is free from any chemicals and is fresh. So I started preparing jam, And then I got to know there are more and more customers who want pesticide free, preservative free and natural products which just contains the right ingredients. This made me realize that there is a good market out there but the right product is not available, through which I can impact a lot of lives out there.
2. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing?
That's a difficult question, May be working in some corporate, or still exploring what I want to do next..:)
3. Tell us about your first paying client/customer and revenue from that customer?
I will always remember her, she placed an order for Mango jam, as she was my first paid client, and my first earning was 220 rs, I was happiest that day, as it was my first earning from my venture..:)
4. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics?
I believe the best measurement of success is how I have impacted many people's lives. The monetary part is secondary to me. When a working mother is able to feed her kid guilt-free, their kids are eating food just Identical to the food made by her own hands, when a 2-year-old able to differentiate the taste of our sauces with the store bought one, When, a to be mother tells us I will buy your products because I just want to feed my baby only the best products When we are getting a WhatsApp voice message saying your products are best from a 4 year old That is success for us.
5. What do you think your growth will be in the next 5 years?
We want India to eat preservative-free jams, so in the next five years we target to increase our customer base, and we are trying to work on sugar-free jams as well(without using any additives or preservatives). that is our target for the coming years.
6. To what do you attribute your success?
My husband, he is my pillar of strength, without him, this venture wouldn't have seen daylight, then two of my close friends who are there to motivate and encourage me. I owe it to them, for whatever I am today.