Whatsapp has emerged as the go-to messaging app for over 1.6 billion consumers worldwide. But, it is now being used as a medium to order food. Young women entrepreneurs have taken the game a notch higher and use Whatsapp to market their food business and also take orders.
With ample time in hand and the zeal to explore her culinary love, is this young girl who sent her snack menu on the Whatsapp group that included all the residents of her apartment. And thus started her journey, Devasmita Bhattacharyya, a chef/resident of Plama Heights on Hennur main road said, “My love for cooking started from a very tender age, when I couldn’t even reach the gas stove. After my message on the Whatsapp group, I began getting several orders. As a beginner, I feel Whatsapp is a great platform for advertising. It’s really simple and convenient. As far as my experience it was extremely smooth. Things have worked really well for me”
Parul Gupta, home cook and a resident at Mantri Alpnye on Uttrahalli main road shares how she started her small scale food business, “I started a Whatsapp group and named it Mast Tadka, and later added the residents in my apartment to it. I dropped a menu and my inbox was flooded. I am grateful to have a supportive family. With loads of time in hand I was feeling reluctant and then realised that I can actually cook food and sell it, this way my free time is put to productive use with a profitable bonus.”
Here is a secret she share for other home chefs like her, “The mantra is to price your dishes nominally and try new varieties and of course be available on holidays. It is very important for women to do what they love and not succumb to the societal norms. Once your family is supportive and you have the will to do what you love, there should be nothing to stop you.”
Entrepreneurship is specifically about being your own boss and with the help of this simple tool called Whatsapp. As for Ekta Mehta a chef and resident at Salarpuria Greenage in Bommanahalli the sky is the limit, “I practically worship Whatsapp right now, I receive 90 per cent of my orders on Whatsapp and I have to constantly keep checking my phone. With the help of a Whatsapp group and word of mouth I emerged successful. My husband sure is of great help. The profit depends on the number of orders, if I get more than 100 orders, it would get me a 30% profit otherwise it’s a little less. But, my idea behind this is to serve quality and affordable food.”
Sumita Sanjeevi a resident who is very impressed with the ‘Whatsapp kitchen’ idea opines, “For a place like Bengaluru that attract s families from various cities, this idea is one of the best. With young adults living such a fast paced life Whatsapp sure is very convenient. All they have to do is drop a message and food of any cuisine arrives at their door step. Since Whatsapp is user friendly this is also an accessible option for senior citizens living in the society. The food is hygienic and they are very punctual with their delivery.”
Devasmita urges everyone to explore their passion, “Nowadays, people tend to suppress their passion and only focus in making money however it may be. I would like to tell everyone that you only have one life so make the best use of your free time to explore your passion, you are not getting anywhere by suppressing it. As a matter of fact doing what you love the most only helps you function better.”
