For us Indians, laddu is an emotion and not a sweet. Be it any festival or occasion, Laddus are omnipresent. Our traditional sweets are incomplete without including them. Also, how many of you have heard this, "Maa ke haath ke Laddu." Of course, many of us, and so comes the emotion along with the preparation of this country's go-to treat.
Simmi Garg, a 50-year-old homepreneur, brings a similar emotion by bringing back the tradition of homemade flavors of our dadi and nani by making these delicious laddus and pinnis with immense love and joy.
The Tale Behind The Sweetness
Coming from a business-oriented family, Simmi Garg was a homemaker. All she did was take care of her family and kids. Even if she was interested in the business, she could only contribute a little help and support to her husband.
For a very long time, Simmi wanted to start a business of her own but never had a chance to do so. Then came a moment when her granddaughter asked her to make some homemade Laddus for her, as her school nutritionists were focusing on these healthy ghar ki mithai rather than opting for cakes and pastries.
Now, belonging to a Punjabi family, Simmi's mom used to send her handmade pinnis every year. This tradition had been followed for generations in the family. These sweets were not only tasty but also so healthy that they acted as a power booster for anyone who had even one.
So with laddus and pinnis on her mind, Simmi finally decided to start a business. Her whole family supported her decision. A plan of action was put in motion, and they thought of a brand name that best suited them - ‘Laddu Pinni’.
The simple idea behind keeping this name was that people could connect with her products, and the name could leave an impression in their minds so they would not forget it too soon.
The Taste of Authenticity
Simmi's laddus and pinnis have the original taste of homemade sweets. As she loves cooking, that touch of homemade can be felt in every item she makes. Everyone enjoys her wide range of products, which included besan laddu, aata laddu, and panjiri laddu, which were quite popular in the winter.
To keep up with seasons during summers, Simmi makes pickles, which include laal mirch ka achaar, hari mirch ka achaar, mango pickles, lemon pickles, and many more. She has also introduced her special summer fruit cream, which people love too much.
Simmi's unique feature is that her variety of products change according to the seasons and festivals, so you can enjoy the taste of every occasion with ‘Laddu Pinni’. Her products are not only delicious but also healthy, including her jaggery powder kheer, gajar ka halwa with no sugar, and a few other items, for which she makes sure the quality is not compromised at any cost.
One Step At A Time
Simmi recently started her business, and word of mouth about her products is making her famous day by day. People love what Simmi makes, and she has begun displaying her products at exhibitions.
She has an Instagram account, which is handled by her daughter-in-law. And coming in such a tech-savvy world, Simmi faces challenges in operating her digital marketing strategies and even sometimes making or receiving online payments. Though her daughter-in-law helps her a lot, she is learning one thing at a time and making sure she is not left behind in her 50s.
Simmi is focused on giving her best to her customers and wants to avoid falling into the trap of competition. She says, "Hum apna business apne pyaar aur shauk se kar rahe hain." Her heart is filled with happiness when people come to her and say how much they love her products.
Future Perspective
Simmi’s products have been enjoyed by people outside India as well and she wants to target her overseas customers by sending her desi ghar ki mithai. She plans to make her packaging more sturdy as her glass jars are fragile when exported outside India. Simmi is also taking courses to improve and enhance her business on a large scale.
Simmi is also working with an NGO that works with girls from marginalized sections. She has joined the organization with the idea to empower those girls by giving them job opportunities to make jute coverings for her glass jars. She is all set to take her entrepreneurial journey to a new phase altogether with proper planning and execution and ensuring her products reach every household.
Simmi believes that every woman should manage her finances properly and take money matters seriously. In today's scenario, being financially independent is of the utmost importance for every woman. Last but not least, she is just one call away if you are craving some ghar ki mithai.
Also Read, Charu Suri: A Journey from Homemaker To Entrepreneur
Also Read, Investing in Her Success: 6 Ways to Lift Women-Owned Businesses
