Have you ever wondered how much sugar regular cold drinks and juices contain? For the sake of making the healthier choice, we often pick juices without realising that they are also loaded with added sugar, which can actually be more harmful.
According to a report published by the International Diabetes Federation in December 2022, over 74 million adults in India are living with diabetes. That is an alarmingly high number. A loose interpretation of these numbers points to one in 12 people living with diabetes.
This should raise demand for unsweetened and healthier drinks. Most people often give up drinking packed juice and beverages. However, what if you could quench your thirst with unsweetened and healthy drinks?
Image Courtesy: Instagram/TeaFit
With this thought in mind, Jyoti Bharadwaj started TeaFit in 2021 whose foundation took about one and a half years to be laid. Recently, she appeared in Shark Tank India to pitch her business idea and sealed a deal with not just one or two but four sharks.
TeaFit has three unsweetened options – Tangy Toasty Barley Tea, Peach Ginger Green Tea, and Lemon Black Tea. These come with an additional nutritional goodness of 15 or more herbs.
This week, Bharadwaj was our special guest for the series – HZ Women Of The Month. She shared with us her struggles and journey to make it this big without knowing even A-Z of brewing.
Zeal For Healthy Drinks Germinated Into TeaFit
Image Courtesy: Instagram/TeaFit
Bharadwaj said she caught the bug to see healthy drinks on the shelves in supermarkets and shops early on. Coming from a family where both her parents have been living with diabetes, she has always seen them opting for homemade beverages or drinks that had no sugar.
Somewhere along her life and a few years in Japan inspired the entrepreneur to quench India’s thirst with unsweetened yet tasty beverages. She pitched the business idea to her mother-in-law, who showed confidence in her and gave her ₹10 lakhs as her first investment.
Without any machinery, equipment or workforce, Bharadwaj set on a path to find the right people for the job. She collaborated with a manufacturer in Indore, Pramod Bhatt, who had been a product head in leading ayurvedic companies like Himalaya, Mumbai, and Reve Pharma, Nashik, to understand the brewing process, the temperature at which extraction can happen, ingredients that add nutritional value, the right moment at which the juice will retain its quality without getting bitter and so on.
COVID-19 Initiated Online Sales Of TeaFit Beverages
Image Courtesy: Instagram/TeaFit
When Bharadwaj started her business in full swing in 2021, a lockdown happened during the second wave of Covid-19. She was 100% sure about not letting her business die down and soon took her unsweetened beverages to Amazon.
After finding success there, the businesswoman started selling the beverages on Big Basket, Flipkart, etc. Since Bharadwaj sealed four sharks – Peyush Bansal, Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta and Vineeta Singh – she has made two-months' worth of sales in just three days.
Prioritise Things
Image Courtesy: Instagram/TeaFit
Even with her family fully behind her, Bharadwaj had to hustle a lot between her new business, kids and family. Her only advice to people is to prioritise. “At a certain age, especially when you are a mother, you realise you cannot do everything. Therefore, you pick and choose what you are best at and focus on that along with your family,” Bharadwaj advised.
Women Business Owners Have To Hustle A Lot More Than Men
View this post on Instagram
In July 2022, Vineeta Singh, CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, appeared on a talk show hosted by Chetan Bhagat. She pointed out that only 2% to 3% of the capital goes to women-founded companies. This figure has not changed much over time.
Bharadwaj agreed with Singh. The businesswoman said that these numbers are there for the public to see, and it is true that a company founded solely by women is often dismissed by investors. They always advise them to get a male co-founder on board.
Don't Miss: Meet Mangala Bai, A Gond Tattoo Artist Trying To Save Traditional Tribal Art
Speak Up
View this post on Instagram
Bharadwaj mentioned that her current team is all women. It is not by design but she just found the right people for the job. The businesswoman said women are often advised to not speak up. “I say speak up. If you think you are the right person for the job role, shout from the rooftop,” Bharadwaj advised.
Only when women speak up and say that they want the job, will they get the job. She agreed that there is gender bias in every industry, but if one has the zeal to achieve something, one will have to go all out.
Don't Miss: Anjum Chopra's Journey To Becoming The Face Of Women's Cricket
Do Not Give Up
View this post on Instagram
For all entrepreneurs, Bharadwaj suggests to continue with the hustle. She observed that many people start their business and then get bored of it or expect to reach the top in just three or six months.
However, that is not the case in most instances. Bharadwaj suggests not to give up on your dreams, continue with the work, and keep adding value to the business. One day, it will all be worth it.
Recommended Video
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation