At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Tulika Rohatgi and Smriti Dubey Singh for an exclusive interview with us to understand more about their inspiring journey so far. They are the Co-Founders of Silver Tree Decor. Let’s learn more about their incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Tulika & Smriti:
Please talk us briefly through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur;
Tulika Rohatgi – I did my schooling from St.Mary’s Nainital and Moradabad, BSc Home Science from Lady Irwin College (DU) and finished my studies with a PG Diploma in Fashion Designing. I also did a little stint in between with designing, got married and joined my husband’s Business.
When my kids were born I took a sabbatical from work. I’m a foodie and cooking is my hobby. I wanted to give my kids nutritious food and hence my journey started by experimenting with various nutritious ingredients to satiate their taste buds.”
Health and Nutrition were my subjects in BSc Home Science and that knowledge came in handy in creating new recipes.
Smriti Dubey Singh – I am a Physiotherapist by profession and a Mompreneur by choice. After about 8-10 years of full-time practice, I decided to take a little break. But being a professional by heart and habit I could not sit Idle.
Having a toddler at home who is allergic to maida and junk, I started exploring different options.”
To my surprise, even after living in a metro city, I did not have a lot to choose from. I started Substituting maida, sugar, butter and egg with healthier options and changing every recipe to my desired form. Keeping it tasty and interesting was the main Challenge.
Now, I can bake perfect eggless, sugar-free and whole wheat cakes and cookies. I also make Vegan and Gluten-free Cakes. And I have become an expert in substituting unhealthy ingredients with healthier options.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
Tulika – Being from a business family it came natural to me.
Smriti – Being a full-time mom I have the freedom of time and expression, and we truly believe in our work. Moreover, the flexibility of owning your business helps in areas of creativity, decision making and time management.
‘Silver Tree Decor’ is such a unique name; please share with us more about it, please.
As mothers of kids with the same age, a lot of creativity and zest to do something different we got together, became friends first and partners later.
‘Silver Tree’ originally started as a Home Decor Company in 2017.
We started exhibiting with our friends in various exhibitions. We were into rustic decor making handmade candle Holders, Upcycled wine bottles and green bottles to make decorative pieces for Diwali Gifting.
During the exhibition, our Homemade snacks – Gurchana, Matries and seeds mix was loved by all. The people asked us to fill the decorative jars with our Homemade preservative-free Munchies for gifting.
Since then there’s no looking back. We were flooded with orders and in no time we were associated with Homemade healthy snacks. In short, we can say that we didn’t choose the work, work chose us. Now we make healthy gift hampers for Diwali, corporate gifting, return gift for Marriages and even room hampers for destination weddings.
Our audience would also love to know what kind of products you have?
Most of our recipes have been in our homes since ages and are loved equally by everyone. The Appreciation and orders we have received over time have made us experiment with new ingredients like Ragi and Bajra in the form of Ragi Matharis and Bajra Palak Namakparas, Sugar-Free Ragi and Oatmeal Cookies.
Keeping the health part as our priority, our products are tasty as well as healthy. We believe in the fact that nutritious food shouldn’t be tasteless and we work hard to achieve this goal by altering recipes as per our requirements. Our critics are our children who make sure to keep our recipes tasty.”
All of our products are prepared in small batches as they are made in our homes and we take proper care of the health and hygiene part in their preparation.
What makes your products different from others in the market?
Our products are very different and ready to munch any time of the day. Our elders and Nutritionists have always told us to have millets (superfood), greens and seeds. So we have created – Bajra (pearl millet) Palak Namak Paras and Bajra Sesame bites (shakarpare). Ragi (Finger millet) matries.
One of our specialities is Roasted Mixture which is gluten-free. One of our Clients wanted the Roasted Mixture without salt. So we developed a Zero Salt Mixture. And that has been a hit. You won’t find a completely Zero Salt Mixture anywhere and the best part is that you won’t even miss the salt.
Another bestseller of Silver Tree is Gurchana which is also Gluten-free, Sugar-Free and oil-free. Commercially produced Gurchana has sugar in it to make it crispy but we only use organic jaggery and no sugar. That’s the difference in our products and is also an example of transparency.
What is the USP of your company?
Our USP is fresh and homemade products. We make small batches to ensure its quality and freshness. We don’t believe in taking shortcuts by producing at a large scale for profits.
Moreover, premium raw materials are used as we do at home. Our client’s testimonials are our proofs. On that note keep munching, Guilt-Free Munchies.
What is the motto of the company?
Our MOTTO is to provide Guilt-free Options for munching- Guilt-free Munchies, which has –
> No maida (REFINED FLOUR)
> No Refined Sugar
> No Refined Salt
> No Preservatives
> No Additives
Do try our ‘GUILT FREE MUNCHIES’ without second thoughts. Happy Munching!
We saw that your tagline is very catchy. Could you please elaborate?
Nowadays people are becoming increasingly aware about their health, including kids. Everyone wants nutritious snacks which are often not very tasty. And not everything can be prepared at home as it’s time-consuming and often not possible owing to our hectic schedules. That’s where we come in.
We are trying to fill the gap. Snacking can be fresh, nutritious and finger-licking good. That’s where our tagline comes in ‘Guilt-Free Munchies’.
Who doesn’t love to munch? And if that munching provides you nutrition along the way that’s a bonus.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
During covid 19 we lost our corporate office and workshop. We had to close for a few months during the lockdown but we were back again owing to the push from our loyal clients. We are following all the necessary protocols.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
It’s the love of our clients and our passion and love towards our work, encouragement from our families and friends. Plus being hands-on moms we want our kids to have healthy and nutritious snacks, which aren’t available on the shelves. Whatever is available has too much salt or sugar in them and not to forget the preservatives.
“We wanted our kids to have preservative free snacks, hence we created/modified recipes for our kids and family. We realized that like us there are more people who are looking for Nutritious snacks for their families – which they cannot make because of their hectic lifestyles. We could easily fill that gap.”
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
(1) Being Honest about our products.
(2) Transparency in the type of ingredients we use- we use organic and locally sourced materials
(3) We deliver what we promise
4) We use sustainable packaging
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
Our biggest source of motivation is our passion to provide nutritious food to our family and get them hooked on it.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
(a) Creative
(b) Passionate
(c) Being mindful
(d) Honest
(e) Ability to take risks & venture into uncharted territories.
Please share with us, what has worked well for you so far?
Being aware of what your clients want, listening to their ideas and being innovative to make our recipes delectable.
Once during an exhibition, one of our clients -an elderly lady, commented – why don’t you do something different with Methi Mathries which is available everywhere.
We started making Mathries without maida and also experimented with Ragi flour to make Mathries. When we introduced Ragi Mathries it was well-received by adults and loved by kids.
It’s important to take criticism in your stride and take positives out of it. So we are always open to different ideas, suggestions and criticism of our clients.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
Innovation and improvising is the key. The most important factor is – to be honest, and transparent with your clients. These values are followed by all our team members equally.We treat all our team members as one big family.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful?
Do something you are passionate about.
There are no shortcuts to success, hard work with sincerity is the key.
In case you fail in your 1st attempt, give it another shot. This can only be achieved if you’re passionate about your work otherwise you won’t be able to put your heart and soul into it.
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