New star on the horizon

The energy is palpable. 24 year old entrepreneur Mayuri Rajaram, sitting pretty on the edge of her seat in the beautiful Bengaluru restaurant — Ebony, is quite obviously raring to revolutionise the family F&B business. But her enthusiasm is also seasoned with the experience of an undergraduate degree in Management and Economics from the London School of Economics. This will stand her in good stead as she slowly goes about carving a niche for herself in the fast-evolving F&B industry while also creating a social impact.

Mayuri Rajaram may be a next-generation entrepreneur but her New Age spin on her family's restaurant is already getting her noticed. In a candid chat, this inspiring woman from Bengaluru shares her aspirations.

Cherishing where she’s currently at — learning and evolving as a fledgling entrepreneur in the F&B industry — Mayuri wants to make the best use of the platform she has been offered. “I definitely want to be a part of and make a significant impact on the F&B industry. I personally would like to contribute in terms of bringing in fresh ideas to the industry.. Most importantly, I would like to help in the expansion of the 25-year-old business,” she lays out a rough blueprint for the next phase, although she admittedly doesn’t have a fixed five-year-plan set in stone.

When asked about her evolution into this role, she narrates, “Entrepreneurship was always on my mind, but I wasn’t sure that it’d happen so soon. I worked with a bank for a brief period. It was an experience that made me realise that I’m simply not cut out for a 9-5 existence!” The young entrepreneur, who hails from a family that ran a thriving food business since 1993, admits that she was always involved or inspired by the nitty-gritty of running the business in a way. But, she confesses, “For the most part, the idea of satisfying stomachs is what drove me to join hands with my dad and venture into this beautiful world of food and beverages.”

While most of us would assume that joining a family business sounds like the comfortable option, Mayuri chooses to disagree and believes that this has only made her step up her game. “It’s been a really challenging and exciting experience so far. And, I’d be lying if I said it’s comfortable because I have the support of my father. In fact, it’s a lot harder because you are entrusted with responsibility.

So, it teaches you accountability, and you cannot afford to procrastinate and make things awkward for others who are, at some level, banking on you to do your duties with efficiency. You can’t afford to let your family down,” emphasises the half-Keralite, half-Maharashtrian who has grown up in Bengaluru.

While she certainly takes her professional pursuits seriously, like most millennials, she also believes in a healthy work-life balance. On days when she feels like taking a breather, Mayuri loves to plan her next holiday, watch Bollywood movies, check out new places and try out different dishes. “I’m a crazy foodie — a term that’s overused today but I’d like to call myself the original. So, whenever I have the time, I’m always experimenting with new cuisines. I’m also busy giving recommendations to friends who trust me with reviews of places, as I’m a foodie with a sharp sense of taste. I barely go wrong with my choices,” Mayuri smiles. She’s certainly merging her passion and profession perfectly!