Kidsstoppress will feature a series of successful entrepreneurs in the parenting and childcare segment- the ones who have worked hard to establish a brand that is helping parents in #SimplifyingParenting and living their dreams.
How do they do it? What is their inspiration? What prompts them to cater to the littlest of their customers in a way that creates an impact? We ask them all of this- that will help inspire fellow moms to think big and follow their footsteps into the world of business and passion. Scroll down to read more about these successful mompreneurs in our exclusive #MomBoss series.
This week, Farah Nathani-Menzies & Shreya Lamba– the brains behind The Mumum Co- a leading FMCG brand that specialises in healthy snacks for kids and winner of the Best Healthy Food Brand category in KSP Awards, tell us their story of what it takes to be a successful mompreneur.
We at Kidsstoppress often believe that parents come up with the most innovative solutions to our everyday problems. The reason? Simple. We've all been there, done that! From mealtime battles to screen time woes to play options to skincare- parents today come up with mind-blowing yet relatable solutions that make them an instant hit among the parent community. The challenge is then for the brand to stay afloat and keep innovating and succeeding. Two moms, based in Mumbai, believed in the same and came up with a solution for mommy-woes that will bring a smile to your child's face.
Farah Nathani Menzies and Shreya Lamba- MBA grads (from Harvard and INSEAD respectively) and most importantly mommies, noticed how kids often demand a lot of small meals through the day to stay tummy-full. Snacking is the go-to solution in that case, but are we giving them the right healthy options to snack on? They both noticed that among the plenty of options available both from traditional foods as well as OTC foods in supermarkets- the ones that tick marked ready to eat, preservative-free and sugar-free options were dismally low. That's how the idea of The Mumum Co happened. "We are two mums extremely committed to giving the best to our children and to grow a sustainable and successful business", they tell KSP.
But why packed foods? Isn't that a tough market?
I must confess that on a rough day at work, when I head home, I grab a snack and gulp it down in a minute, hardly realising that my little girl is watching what I do and will only ape it in the coming days! We have been eating chips and biscuits from packets for years, but buying a packed snack for your kids somehow seems wrong, doesn't it? Farah and Shreya point out why this one action is essential from every parent's end. "The parent that cares enough to read the label and nutritional profile is going to be the parent that stops buying the junk on shelves", they explain. As a mom, I tend to agree with this!
The idea behind the creation of their brand was to offer what moms know and have but ina healthier and more refined way. The 2 mommies swear by traditional Indian ingredients like Jowar, Ragi, Millets etc but packed in a way that makes it easy when you travel. Again an idea that stems only when you know the pressures of travelling with a toddler and how important snacking during a trip is! Mommyhood inspires creativity, don't you agree?
And how did they pull this off? How does one battle parenting challenges at home and business stress at work with equal ease? "Having a mommy partner at work is unbelievable. We understand when the nanny hasn’t turned up and the school runs have to be done. Or when the flu strikes and mummy has to be on call. And having similar professional backgrounds and mindsets we seamlessly fill in for each other whenever required. Two halves of a whole!", they tell complementing each other. Moms at KSP know this too well! "And the best part is that our children are almost the same age which means that they get to hang out with each other while the mums work!" Aspiring mompreneurs remember this when you start a brand on your own!
What is the biggest challenge a person running a brand faces? Spreading the motives of the brand and building contacts are the two on the top of my mind. Farah explains how mompreneurs in their circle have been greatly helpful. "We were so pleasantly surprised when they opened up their black books and shared contacts and advice so readily". Women power to the rescue!
Shreya explains how establishing one's credibility in a bootstrapped start-up environment is something that is challenging. And it is heartening to see moms returning to their workforce a part of their hires at The Mumum Co. "Being mothers ourselves is our biggest strength – it enables us to understand better what kids like, what parents would like to feed their kids with – basically understand the whole customer perception and expectation better".
What about the competition? We ask. The 2 moms shrug it off saying they have believed in the power of healthy competition. "The motive among all the parallel brands is to encourage healthy eating amongst kids". And when you ask them for one tip that will help fellow moms, their reply is immediate. "Give up on being a perfectionist. Delegate where you can". Point noted.
And the duo is quick to note that a parenting platform like Kidsstoppress is something that people trust and look up to when they need parenting advice. "It (Kidsstoppress) helps us connect with like-minded mothers and other mompreneurs to form this amazing community that’s committed to empowering and uplifting each other", they explain.
To sign off, here is what they have to tell about donning multiple hats like- mommyhood, entrepreneur, etc. "Yes, being an entrepreneur is challenging and nerve-wracking but it’s simultaneously exhilarating and rewarding. Owning and starting your own business gives you an unparalleled sense of purpose, empowerment and freedom. Our advice to every woman out there would be that it’s never the right time so when the right idea strikes just take the plunge and try".
Tune in to this podcast where The Mumum Co talk to Mansi Zaveri on our #KeepItReal series about the challenges of a running a business.
What The Mumum Co. does:
- Started in 2017 by Farah Nathani-Menzies & Shreya Lamba
- Based in Mumbai
- Focusses on making snack time all healthy (with no-added-sugar) for little kids.
Mansi Zaveri
Chitra Sivakumar
