Kainaz Messman Harchandrai, co-founder of the renowned baked goods brand, Theobroma, encountered a life-altering event at the age of 24. A trained pastry chef with a passion for her craft, Kainaz faced a challenging period of bedrest following a freak accident.
Having completed her studies at The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai, and the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD), Delhi, she had previously worked at Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur.
Expressing her initial struggles, Kainaz shared, “I simply loved my job, and being unable to do what I wanted to wasn’t something I was prepared for. The doctor had said I couldn’t be a chef, as I had to be on my feet all day.” Undeterred by this setback, Kainaz, along with her sister Tina Messman Wykes, embarked on a remarkable journey that would lead to the creation of Theobroma in 2004.
The sisters borrowed Rs 1 crore from their father to kickstart Theobroma. Fast forward nearly two decades and Theobroma has become a culinary powerhouse with 78 outlets across various Indian cities, including multiple locations in Mumbai, Delhi, NCR, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.
In the fiscal year 2021, Theobroma reported an impressive revenue of Rs 121 crore and aims to double it in the current year. Kainaz shared, “My father had one condition: we don’t return the money but put it for a cause that he believed in and supported. We set out on this journey agreeing to make only what we liked to eat. We promised to make it well and keep it simple. Our business has evolved, as have we; we didn’t have it mapped out.”
Reflecting on the challenges of running a food business, Kainaz acknowledged the complexities involved, including the need to relinquish control as a professional team takes charge. Despite the hurdles, she emphasized that the journey has been worthwhile, highlighting the satisfaction derived from building a brand that has attained cult status in the world of baked goods.
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/the-inspiring-journey-of-theobroma-from-rs-1-crore-to-rs-121-crore-business/3353204/
