Good Food Startup

Sahil Jain and Meena Jain, Co-founders of Mighty Millets-this mother-son duo is a competitive advantage in the harsh startup game. Sahil quit a high-paying job with the industry giants KPMG and BMR to be an entrepreneur and build a company that goes beyond its commercial objectives, delivers on its social responsibility and creates an impression on the community. He hung his corporate boots to start Mighty Millets, a startup having a range of healthy and nutrition-backed food products, with his mother, Meena Jain. Their mission is to make healthy eating an essential part of people’s lifestyles. Sahil and Meena Jain share their success story with Corporate Citizen

Corporate Citizen: Your education has played a great role in establishing yourself in this corporate world. Tell us about your CA journey, and the ups and down in the educational life.

Sahil Jain: Throughout my school life, I have been an average student. After my board exams, I was confused about which stream to pick. I had filled out both Science and Commerce stream forms. Science, because, as a child, I hoped to become an engineer one day. I had an affection towards math, so I thought taking up Commerce would make sense. After enough contemplation, and taking into consideration my skills and talent, I decided to go for Commerce. All this while, I had a hunch that I am best suited in the finance world. So, the course of action began in that direction.

In 2014, my tryst with CA started. This journey wasn’t easy. I couldn’t clear it on the first attempt. The feeling of not clearing the exams got to me, and I was on the verge of giving up. Back then, my friend, and now my wife, Paridhi Goyal, was always there to motivate me. She convinced me not to give up and pushed me to achieve the best.

CC: You cleared CA in the second attempt. So, what went right this time?

My family and friends supported me through thick and thin. That somewhere showed me the ray of hope that nothing is impossible. To be frank, CA is a tough nut to crack. And to clear it, one needs to study smartly. For my second attempt, I changed my plan of action. I reviewed my approach, and it needed alteration. This time, I took charge, studied harder, and adapted a focused approach. I invested my time in group studies. My friend and I studied in an organised fashion. Not that we just studied; we enjoyed our time as well. All this resulted in me clearing CA in the second attempt. This taught me that tough times don’t last, tough people do. I understood how failures can change a person, and that, failure surely is a stepping stone to success. In all fairness, if I did not go through this, I wouldn’t have been here.

CC: That’s a great story there. So, next comes placement. How did you prepare for it, and did you take up the first job that came your way?

Sahil and his mother Meena Jain (third from the right, standing) with the Mighty Millets team

Getting corporate-ready took a lot of patience and determination. When I began my research, I noticed, whatever one prepares for the CA is hardly 20 per cent of the placement. That meant I had to buck up and pull up my socks. Before one gets into the corporate world, one needs to understand the essence of it. Networking at the initial stages allows you to broaden your horizon. Soon, I began interacting with many people from the industry-took their inputs and thrived on their experience.

During the preparation, I wanted to add value to my experience. I knew since the beginning, what my niche would be. I did not want to set foot in the traditional practices like tax, audit, etc. I was inclined towards finance, investment, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Meanwhile, I worked with Hu Consultancy, a boutique firm in Pune, to understand the different aspects of this industry. I researched market deals, analysed them, and penned them down for Hu Consultancy’s magazine-M&A Critique. And as luck would have it, one of my articles caught the eye of BMR Advisors. The article spoke about the deal they had worked on. Soon, I moved to Mumbai, and that’s how my corporate journey began with BMR.

CC: Although your corporate career spanned for just three years, you sure must have had a great learning experience. Walk us through your corporate journey so far. Do you regret hanging up your corporate boots at such a young age?

I got the opportunity of working with two of the best companies in the industry. I agree, I was barely in this industry for three years but the experience that I gained transformed me as a person. At BMR, my role was to advise on structures and legal implications for cross-border M&A transactions. Within a few months, KPMG acquired our department. By now, I had already thought about starting something of my own entirely, but not in this field. And I figured Pune would be the best city for taking it forward. Since it was getting acquired, I wanted a change and yearned to leap. I wasn’t sure of the security but I wanted to move ahead. Hence, I shifted to KPMG, Pune. Since then, I worked with my mom on different ideas for Mighty Millets.

The corporate world has its pros and cons. I did learn a lot. One of the main virtues that I dwelled on was professionalism and understanding the seriousness of work. I encashed on this chance and networked immensely. This developed my overall personality. All these changes set me in an atmosphere of discipline. However, I realised that this corporate world is not meant for me. Soon, the corporate culture got to me to an extent that it pushed me to hang my corporate boots. Quitting a high-paying corporate job to start a business must be a tough call to take for others. For me, it came naturally. My family and I discussed this at length. And coming to conclusion wasn’t difficult.

With that, the concept of Sunk Cost acted as a catalyst too. Sunk Cost is a cost that has already been incurred and that cannot be recovered. In economic decision-making, sunk costs are treated as bygone and are not taken into consideration when deciding whether to continue an investment project. And one of the things that my experiences have taught me is to live in the present. In September 2018, I put down my papers. As my perception was very clear, this shift was smooth. Of course, I was very nervous, but I wanted a place where I would belong, and starting a business with my mother felt like home.

Love for food-my first job took me to Mumbai and for the first time, I was away from my home. There were only a few healthy, tasty, and convenient options when it came to food. Courtesy of my mother, I could make healthier choices. And that was when my love for food blossomed.

"The corporate world has its pros and cons. I did learn a lot. One of the main virtues that I dwelled on was professionalism and understanding the seriousness of work. I encashed on this chance and networked immensely"

- Sahil Jain

CC: Walk us through the rise of Mighty Millets.

Mighty Millets is a brainchild of my mother and her love for nutrition. Before I speak about its rise, I will take you down memory lane where my mother was struggling with her weight management issues. Slowly, when her family responsibilities settled, she started focusing full time on her health. This began by taking up a course in nutrition. Mom was the eldest in the class, but thanks to her zeal, she topped her batch. She started consulting as a nutritionist. The way she strikes the right balance between taste and healthy food is beyond imagination.

When I parted ways with the corporate world, I came in with no knowledge about nutrition, business or food tech. I started everything from scratch. In 2018, we started Mighty Millets and since then, there was no looking back. Mom is a people person, and the way she connects with people is amazing. I guess, even that, played a great role in our success.

Growing steadily-The first year was sloppy. Considering we are a bootstrap, the progress was slow, so was the sales. In 2019, the sales increased by Rs.5,000-10,000 per month. We focused more on product development, scaling, product slab testing, etc. The next year, the pandemic hit us, and we shut the production for two months. Every cloud has a silver lining, and although the pandemic hit us hard, we were optimistic and knew the future will be brighter. Owing to the pandemic, our immunity came into the limelight. We created immunity packs–herbal chai mix, etc, which sold like hotcakes. Meanwhile, my mother made awareness videos on food and nutrition for post-Covid recovery, which gave our brand a good promotional boost. That month, our sales rose to Rs.60,000 per month. The next year, sales rose steadily and orders started pouring in. Soon, we focused on B2B as well. That’s when we bagged orders from JW Marriott and Hilton Group, India. Our gifting solutions were a hit.

The next phase-Through all this, my connection with the corporate world grew strong. In fact, our first order was from KPMG. It was a time when our production department could not even handle 5kg of capacity but we decided, and with enough determination, we could successfully deliver them 80kgs of granolas and 50kgs of bars. Lots of corporates face the issue of how to snack healthily. We needed a solution for that. That’s where my expertise came into the picture. I gave some valuable insights and pushed my mom to study this objectively. We launched the Dates Ragi Bar and SuperSeed Bar. The response was amazing. Soon, we launched our savoury addition - Bajar Bites, Millet & Seed mix. And recently we launched SuperPops.

CC: Were you able to apply your corporate learning at Mighty Millets?

Certainly. There are so many things I still follow. Right from a professional attitude, networking skills to the way I draft the emails are highly influenced by my corporate learnings. Getting a timesheet filled in the team comes in handy as it results in accountability and helps in managing the business. And most importantly, owing to my time in the finance world, I can handle that sector efficiently for my business.

"Every person is unique, and they should understand their body well enough to change for the better. Here, nutrition literacy plays a great role. They should understand the importance of micro-nutrients and other elements"

CC: You very well understand the hectic corporate life by now. Now that you are into the health business, can you give the corporates some healthy food habit tips to live a wholesome life?

Corporates should understand moving to a healthy life is a lifestyle change. It does not happen overnight, but one must shrug off bad food habits and incorporate changes that are feasible to them. Corporate life is hectic and stressful. They have long working hours and when they are hungry, they binge on anything to satisfy their cravings. Some stay away from the home and must suffice what the canteen provides them. Even then, they can make healthy choices. Pick food items that are healthy and learn portion control. While shopping for snacks, don’t just judge the product by its front cover. Fancy words like baked, millet, gluten-free, vegan, oil-free, and others are not equal to being healthy. Last year around December, we ran a campaign on our Instagram page where we burst out nutritional myths and educated people about healthy foods. These videos will be very useful for the corporates.

Every person is unique, and they should understand their body well enough to change for the better. Here, nutrition literacy plays a great role. They should understand the importance of micro-nutrients and other elements. This will help you plan your day in a better way. Find healthier options. It’s fine to cheat occasionally but make smarter choices. Keep healthy eating simple.

CC: Any advice for budding entrepreneurs?

Life is all about exploring and settling for what works the best for you. When you explore, do it with an open mind and heart. You don’t always have to know what you want from life, as it is a journey. Don’t stress yourself out on this journey. Things will fall into place. All you need to do is take the first step. Try different things. Don’t be stubborn, as there is a whole new world ahead of your comfort zone.

Remember, age is just a number and don’t define your goals as per that. Do what your heart wants with vehemence. Stop getting affected by social dictatorship, take your calls at your convenience. Until you find your niche, and even after that, keep learning. Failure is part of life, don’t get affected by it. One important thing while you are doing a business is, don’t get attached to your product emotionally, think about it objectively. If you love your product and if it’s not working, then discard it and think about Plan B. You are here to do business, create value, and earn money. Hence, be ready to take harsh decisions. And during all this, don’t forget to enjoy your life.

Redefining the entrepreneurial spirit

Meena Jain started her business in her 50s. She is now running her successful venture, Mighty Millets, with her son, Sahil. In a conversation with Corporate Citizen, she talks about her educational journey, which she started a decade ago, the challenges she faced, the perks of working with her son, and more

Corporate Citizen: The business that you built stands strongly on the knowledge that you have gathered. Tell us about the experience of taking up a course at the age of 45.

Meena Jain: It is about time we realise and accept that age is just another number. What matters is your mindset and your undying will to achieve your goals. I began my journey as a student again at the age of 45. Almost a decade ago, I started facing weight issues. It was the time when the kids had flown out of the nest, and I wanted to focus on myself. That’s where the journey began of getting back to healthy ways. I realised the knowledge and expertise that I possess of eating healthy can turn into something beautiful.

To start something in life, one needs proper education to understand the industry that you want to enter and start a business. In 2012, I joined the VLCC programme to learn everything about nutrition and healthy eating habits. When I started my educational journey again, I discerned it won’t be easy but I was ready to give my best shot. I thought I could certainly sit across the table and guide people in a better way to lead a wholesome life. More than anything else, I was ambitious - I wanted people to know me by my name; I wanted to create my identity

CC: What were the challenges that you faced and how did you overcome them?

The first day itself was a learning moment for me. When I looked around in the class, I saw everyone was highly qualified. All the students were young, almost my kid’s age. On the other hand, I had a commerce background and my education up till the 10th was in Marathi. And to top that, the syllabus looked tough. That surely gave me the jitters, as a lot of points did not favour me. But I had made up my mind. I would not let anything stop me. What drove me was my feeling that the knowledge that I was pursuing has the ability to change people’s lives.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. As my motive was clear, I simplified things for myself. For instance, I never hesitated to ask questions in class. Whenever I did not understand any concept, I would stop the professor there and get my doubts cleared. That sure boosted my confidence. Secondly, when I got home, the first thing I would do is revise what was taught in the class. That added value to my knowledge. During those days, I had not hired a helper. I used to finish the housework, take care of other things, and studied for the exams. My happiness knew no bounds when I topped the batch.

"People should understand that eating healthy is never a complicated process. It’s basic and simple. Don’t turn to the fad diets or foods to lose some inches quickly. Being healthy is a lifestyle change"

- Meena Jain

CC: Did you take up a job during your educational journey?

While I was pursuing my weight management course, I was working as a dietician with ABS Fitness in Pune. That was indeed a drastic change in my life. The crowd there were mostly corporate and IT people who wished to lead a healthy life. I penned down several healthy recipes and diet programmes for them. The clients made the most of it. The ease with which they adapted to this change put a smile on my face. It was surely a great experience and acted as a catalyst in my growth.

CC: When and why did you think of starting Mighty Millets?

Mighty Millets is one of the beautiful chapters of my life. When I began my career as a dietician, I counselled a few of my relatives and some of the clients that I had retained while working at the gym. They loved my tasty and healthy recipes, and some even requested that I should start serving them fresh snacks. Around 2018, Sahil, my son, left the corporate world and he wanted to get into the food industry. That’s when a thought struck us—my knowledge and experience as a dietician and his love for food and expertise gained from the corporate world can result in a new beginning. That’s how Mighty Millets started. I am responsible for the creation of recipes. With that, I look after the production setup and training of the staff as well.

CC: How does it feel to have a tag of an entrepreneur and a businesswoman?

The feeling is surreal. I am happy that we are able to accomplish all this. For me, the term entrepreneur means a lot more. I understand people’s lives are hectic. They barely find time to look after themselves. When they wish to snack healthy, our products are there to serve them. We understand the need of the market and we design the products to cater to them. This journey has helped me understand myself better. For instance, just one month after Mighty Millets was born, we received a huge order. We had no means, facilities, workforce, or inventory to cater for that order. But courtesy of our teamwork, we were able to complete that order. The bottom line is that everyone has the power to turn things around. All they need is to believe in themselves.

What I like most about this initiative is the chance that I get to meet new people. Learning is a never-ending process. Each day, I learn something new. As I am a people person, it comes naturally to me to converse fluently with them. As a dietician, when I am consulting people, some often end up being emotional when they share their journey. Our hearty conversation helps me devise a great diet plan for them. Rather than a professional approach, it’s more of an emotional connection.

CC: How does it feel to work alongside your son, Sahil?

I sure am a proud mother. I have learnt from him, as an entrepreneur and a mother as well. I have learnt all the business etiquette from him. Right from learning the computer basics to understanding the corporate culture or comprehending any approach, Sahil has stood by me like a rock. It feels great to work with my son as we share a great comradery. Most of our talks during meals are related to the business. That’s how much we are invested in it. There is a clear separation between our roles, which makes it easy for us to handle the business. The understanding that we share adds to that.

CC: Tell us about the challenges that you faced while running this business?

Training the staff plays a major role in making the business successful. The size of the order varies each time and to train them accordingly is a task but we handle it with ease with each passing day. As I even look at the production, I need to keep a keen eye on everything—right from the hygiene to the quality of the product. Everything has to be perfect. For instance, even the smallest thing like roasting an item defines the shelf of the product. If we over roast it, it’s burnt and useless. And if we undercook, it reduces its shelf life.

CC: Any tips for corporates for eating healthy?

People should understand that eating healthy is never a complicated process. It’s basic and simple. Don’t turn to the fad diets or foods to lose some inches quickly. Being healthy is a lifestyle change. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, pulses and grains into your diet. Learn portion control. Always choose a healthier option. For instance, if you have a samosa, pav wada, and corn chaat in your canteen. Opt for the corn chaat. The smallest change will help you become healthy. Don’t make any drastic changes, adapt to a diet that is sustainable in the longer run.

CC: Any word of advice for women who wish to start their second inning as an entrepreneur?

Once we reach the age of 45-50, life becomes stagnant. You have taken care of your family and attended to all their needs. When things settle, a vacuum is generated. To overcome that, one should pick a hobby that can turn into their profession. I was able to do and wish everyone follows their passion. Keep yourself busy. Remember you are not too old or young to start anything in life.