For many women, motherhood comes with lots of challenges and responsibilities. Working women, especially, have it tougher, juggling both their careers and family life. But for entrepreneur Jyoti Srivastava, motherhood became the foundation for her business journey, helping her build a Rs 1 crore baby food empire. Jyoti, a former chemical engineer, specialised in nanotechnology and rocket propellants. Burned out and underpaid, she quit the job in 2018 and found out that she was pregnant a year later. After childbirth, Jyoti started researching nutritious foods for her son’s solid-food journey and eventually discovered the benefits of locally grown millet.Profit from baby food businessJyoti, who used to design rockets to be commissioned in the Indian Army, launched her food business, Little Cherry Mom, in 2022 with her husband, Gaurav Goel, an MBA graduate who looks after the operations and finances of the company, reports The Better India. Since its launch, the company has catered to over 12000 customers.Little Cherry Mom recorded a turnover of Rs 1 crore in FY 2022-23, after starting with Rs 2.87 lakh in revenue and 385 orders in its first month, revealed Jyoti in a conversation with Ideapreneur India.com. Today, the business generates around Rs 12 lakh a month and fulfils more than 1,300 orders on average.All about the millet-based food businessJyoti’s millet-based baby food business offers a diverse range of products including millet flours, instant dosa mixes, and sugar- and jaggery-free laddoos. They also have healthy snacks for kids like khakras (thin crackers), A2 Bilona cow ghee, and amla prash (immunity booster made from Indian gooseberry). As per Jyoti, millets have healing properties that help with hormone- and bone-related issues. Her products have no hidden maida, refined sugar, or artificial flavours.Launching the bootstrapped venture was far from easy, with limited funds and stiff competition from established brands. However, Jyoti focused on making her products research-backed and easily digestible. For example, the company sprouts ragi to maximise its protein content and improve digestion, while its milk mix combines carefully selected spices to support respiratory health and immunity.MORE STORIES FOR YOU✕« Back to recommendation storiesI don't want to see these stories becauseThey are not relevant to meThey disrupt the reading flowOthersSUBMITThe brand draws heavily from traditional Indian food practices, using sprouted grains, fermented ingredients and cold-pressed fats in its recipes. Quality remains a priority, with Jyoti testing every product on her own children first. Ingredients are sourced from verified farms, with strict checks for chemical fertilisers and pesticide residues.
From designing rockets to building a Rs 1 crore baby food empire: Meet Meerut engineer who found her entrepreneurial dream through motherhood
For Jyoti Srivastava, motherhood became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey. The former engineer from Meerut went on to establish baby food brand Little Cherry Mom, which recorded a Rs 1 crore turnover within its first year. The company produces a wide range of millet-based offerings, with an emphasis on nutrition, quality and easy digestion. Jyoti maintains strict standards by personally trying the products on her children and carefully selecting the ingredients used. Built without external funding, her venture reflects how a focus on healthier food alternatives, combined with determination and entrepreneurial drive, can develop into a successful business.
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