Serial entrepreneurs who build companies, sell them, and start over again are emerging as a key element of India’s startup boom, thriving more on turmoil than discipline as they search for the next big thing. Whether you started a company from nothing and built it into a brand on your own, or you are managing a company that you inherited from a family legacy, what matters is how successful you have been in your endeavors. Under the skillful direction of Manish Maurya, what began as a little store called Shree Ram Sweets in 1965 has grown into a franchise known as Shree Ram Sweets and Snack Pvt Ltd, famous throughout the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh.
Shree Ram Sweets has always been known for its famous Ras Malai & Laddus and a wide variety of other mouthwatering Indian treats that have inspired people to travel great distances just for a single melodic taste. In this exclusive interview, Manish Maurya talks about his brainchild and journey to reach this destination.
- What was the cause of the inception of this business venture?
My father, Sadar Pratapgarh MLA Rajendra Kumar Maurya, founded our company, Shree Ram Sweets. He began this business intending to turn it into a one-stop shop for delicious Indian sweets. As the leader of Shree Ram Sweets and Snacks Pvt. Ltd., I carried on that legacy. I want to uphold the standard we have established with our Ras Malai and Laddus, which have brought us much attention over the years. In addition, our extensive selection of mouthwatering confections and Indian sweets has drawn customers from adjacent distractions to our shop. Our franchises are located in places like Allahabad, Faizabad, Sitapur, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Raebarelli.
- How is your brand taking care of the modern-day requirements of the advancing world of sweets?
At Shree Ram Sweets, we care to keep our goods’ standard high. We reassure you that our goods are composed of pure ingredients, even in the modern world when everything is adulterated. Fresh cottage cheese and milk with cardamom flavoring are constantly used to make our famous Ras Malai. Even the VVIPs swoon over the flavor of our desserts, which are undoubtedly a favorite among frequent clients. Because we have maintained our taste with quality for so long, a special order is placed with our franchise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi even when he travels to the Awadh region to inaugurate a particular project or speak to the populace during an election campaign. For me, quality and creativity are two facets that I would like to continue, and I believe that this distinguishes Shree Ram Sweets & Snacks from its rivals.
- What is your brand’s USP and how are you doing something different from other players in the domain?
We are committed to preserving the originality of the traditional candies that were created alongside our shop. We provide top-quality sweets that everyone adores, from our creamy sweets with unique, filled rounds to the popular mithai. My grandfather, who had a dream and worked really hard to achieve it, deserves all the credit. Because of his kindness and devotion, we are here, and I am doing everything in my power to elevate it to new levels of success.
- Since you are scouting the sweet industry, are there any specific obligatory things that an individual should keep in mind?
Well, for me, the qualities that I believe have contributed to my success are perseverance, a desire to learn and try new things, commitment, and the capacity to accept constructive criticism. I keep myself inspired by telling myself again that no issue can’t be solved with a good brainstorming session. All of this has enabled me to successfully branch out into other businesses and stop limiting my career to one particular industry. My other businesses include Kutumbh Infra Real Homes Private Limited, a Lucknow-based luxury apartment developer with seven years of experience, and Shree Ram Gramoudhog, a production facility that uses fruits and vegetables to make amla murabba, pickles, fruit sweets, juices, fruit barfi, fruit laddu, etc.
- What are your future plans to expand and grow your network and take the brand to new heights?
I would say that I intend to use my entrepreneurial talents and business savvy learned from my father to grow Shree Ram Sweets and Snacks Pvt Ltd and its excellent line of Ras Malais and give it a name that is known throughout Pan-India. Our team is constantly expanding its business by starting initiatives like the Gooseberry (Amal) farmers and food processing federations to generate employment opportunities and new technology to produce higher-quality food items in Pratapgarh. Shree Ram Sweets has proudly built its name in the production and marketing departments under Manish’s direction and has positioned itself as the next market leader in the sweets and delicacies area.
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