: A Tiny Pan Shop Run by 4 Brothers Is Now a Rs 300 Crore Dairy Empire #IndiaNEWS #Entrepreneurs In 1987, four brothers of the Bhuva family migrated from Chavand village to the neighbouring city of

A Tiny Pan Shop Run by 4 Brothers Is Now a Rs 300 Crore Dairy Empire #IndiaNEWS #Entrepreneurs
In 1987, four brothers of the Bhuva family migrated from Chavand village to the neighbouring city of Amreli in Gujarat. Sons of a farmer, siblings Dinesh, Jagdish, Bhupat and Sanjeev wanted to search for better prospects in the city.
Borrowing some money from their father, Dakubhai, they opened a pan (betel leaf) and a cold drink kiosk. However, little did they know that a small cubicle would lay the foundation of a Rs 300 crore empire.
Three decades later, their small pan counter has helped them become a company that sells hundreds of varieties of dairy and food products.
In an interview with The Better India, Bhupat shares how their story unfolded.
Began With a 55 Feet Shop
Inaugaration of Sheetal pan and cold drinks.
“Our family practised agriculture for a living. There were fewer education facilities in our hometown, and our father suggested we move base in Amreli to pursue education, get jobs and eventually improve the standard of living,�? Bhupat says.
Dinesh, the eldest brother, suggested opening a pan shop near the city bus stand. “The area had good customer flow, and we saw the potential to earn a good income. Dinesh took care of the shop during the first half. While the other brothers, including me, took turns to manage operations during the remaining part of the day,�? he says.
Bhupat says the income from the shop helped them earn well and covered the expenses for their education.
However, in 1989, the city underwent development and beautification, resulting in the demolition of its kiosk. The siblings then purchased a small 55 feet shop at the bus station.
It was in 1993, during the Janmashtami festival, that they decided to experiment with selling ice creams. “The annual festival calls for an annual fair, and the business jumps exponentially with the influx of pilgrims and tourists. So, we decided to introduce dessert to boost the business,�? he says.
Bhupat says they outsourced the ice creams from a local company and sold it for a commission. “The trick worked, and it helped us improve profits. Considering the pull of consumers towards ice cream, we decided to take a step forward and set up our ice cream unit. From 1996 onwards, we learned and sold handmade ice creams,�? he says.
Their products received appreciation from the market, and their customer base expanded. In 1998, they converted the company into a proprietorship of Shree Sheetal Industries. “The increasing business required us to formulate the company and set up a unit in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), processing 150 litres of milk into ice cream,�? he says.
The company started expanding the market and selling ice creams in retail outlets within the city and eventually in other parts of the district and state.