First gen entrepreneur who followed his passion for cooking. After the success of his first venture, he opened a food truck realizing that his food needs to reach millions.
Incubees: Tell us about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur. What inspired you to start Suvies?
Shikhar Sambhaav: I’m a first-generation entrepreneur who completed his studies as a Communication Designer with a specialization in filmmaking! During college, I established my first little business with a friend selling Junk Jewelry, which was featured on POPxo, but we couldn’t continue owing to academic obligations.
After graduation, I decided to pursue another interest of mine, particularly cooking. I began cooking for the entire crew on college shoot days and seeing the delighted smiles after eating the food I made gave me a sense of pleasure and happiness. As a result, I joined one of Pune’s well-known restaurants as an intern for two months to gain hands-on experience in the area, which led me to my first venture, The Wheel Barrow providing Global BBQ Flavors inspired by the streets of Malaysia, which I launched in Koregaon Park, Pune.
After everything went well enough, we opened a Food Truck after the cart; I realized that I needed my food to reach billions of people, not thousands. Suvies was born as a product of this. With the help of my family, we performed some research and began experimenting with making the healthiest Ready to Eat Frozen products that were not available in the market. We took 6 months from the notion of starting a modest manufacturing unit for Suvies to the first hypermarket in Pune. Everything was made from scratch with no professional assistance because this was not and still is not a marketable product. Finally, we introduced SUVIES, the first brand to commercialize Sous Vide Technology.
In addition, I created another firm last year, leveraging my creative abilities to launch my Marketing Agency and Studio, where we presently have a staff of four and a few clients from India and the United States. Also, after launching the agency, we established a gaming firm that produced actual playing cards and game cards that were distributed in the United States and India. Our first product was the 420 Edition Playing Cards, which was successfully financed on Kickstarter. And we will be releasing another Card Game on the same platform very shortly. As a result, I continue to strive to develop and plan new projects in an attempt to keep my inner creativity alive.
Incubees: Tell us about Suvies? What kind of products do you offer?
Shikhar Sambhaav: Suvies was founded primarily to present the globe with healthy Tandoor and BBQ flavors that people could relish on a daily basis without worrying about their health. We are creating global flavors from kebabs to tikkas to BBQ, instead of the traditionally fried products served in the market.
Incubees: What makes Suvies different from other ready-to-eat startups?
Shikhar Sambhaav: Suvies products are unique in that they include no additives, no preservatives, no oil, a high protein content, no added colors or flavors, no MSG, and no trans-fat, making them the healthiest and safest to consume. Our chicken is also more nutritious, juicy, and fresh since it is cooked in Vacuum, untouched throughout and after the cooking process. As a result, it is the greatest and safest ready-to-eat product available.
Incubees: How did you go about the funding and what are the future plans for Suvies?
Shikhar Sambhaav: Suvies is a bootstrapped brand, thanks to my parents’ faith in me and the concept. As a result, we were able to maintain it even throughout Covid Times, which was not easy for us as a startup, but we were able to pull through. And, as a result of our hard work and future vision, we have just partnered with SRam & MRam, a multi-national firm located mostly in Malaysia and London, for the Global Expansion of Suvies. In the future, we will be offering a new line of products with additional global flavors in both the non-veg and veg categories, as well as plant-based meats in both the room temperature and frozen ranges.
Incubees: What are the measures you take in terms of health and hygiene while food is being processed/procured?
Shikhar Sambhaav: During the cooking process, we adhere to conventional manufacturing procedures for hygiene. During the cutting and marination process, the team wears a head cover, gloves, and other protective gear. As previously stated, once the food is inside the vacuum bag, it remains completely untouched throughout the procedure. As a consequence, eradicating any germs during the sous vide cooking process, post this these vacuum bags are frozen and then packaged after passing all quality tests.
Shikhar Sambhaav’s parents
Uzma Farheen Sheikh, Senior Research & Development Executive
Amrapali Tanaji Jogdand, Sales Executive (left), Shital Pawar, Production Assitant & Promoter (center), Revati Adagale, production Assitant and Promoter (right)
Incubees: Where are the raw materials procured from? Are they indigenous or outsourced from other countries?
Shikhar Sambhaav: Currently, all of our raw materials are supplied from several authentic suppliers that offer the most organic masalas. In addition, our chicken is obtained from one of Pune’s best poultry companies, ensuring the healthiest and safest meat for consumption.
Incubees: What advice would you give to upcoming entrepreneurs?
Shikhar Sambhaav: The most crucial piece of advice I can provide to young entrepreneurs is to ‘Never Give Up!’ If you believe in yourself and your vision, simply keep working hard to accomplish whatever you set out to do, but always maintain humility and a sense of creating something that will bring great change to the world! Falling down and getting back up without quitting is what defines a truly successful entrepreneur! As the saying goes, “Baby Steps Lead to Giant Leaps!” So, believe in yourself, work harder, and Never Give Up! Make it a reality.
To know more, visit: https://www.suvies.com/
