Entrepreneur Stories
From 80 Rs To 6.5 Billion, Know The Success Story Of Lijjat Papad
Many of us enjoy rags to riches stories and we would all like to know how these people made their journey possible. The story of Lijjat Papad is one such story which is sure to leave you inspired throughout your life.
Today, Lijjat is more than a just a ‘papad’ (crispy bread) in Indian homes. It all started by getting a modest loan of just Rs.80 and now the company is tasting the stupendous success of more than Rs. 301 crores.
Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat was started in 1959 and at that time their only motto was empowering women by providing employment opportunities. This organization manufactures various products like Papad, Appalam, Gehu Atta, Masalas, Detergent powders, liquid detergents as well as detergent cakes.
The central office is located at Mumbai with 81 branches and 27 divisions spread across different states all over India. The main reason for its popularity is that the makers from past 40 years have been sticking to their core values.
The makers of Lijjat ensure that every process runs smoothly, every single person earns a comfortable profit, agents get their share and ultimately the consumers get quality products at an affordable rate.
This is how the team of Lijjat make it possible:
Every morning a group of women reach their workplace and knead dough which is then collected by another group of women to roll into papads. These women while coming to collect the dough also give the previous day’s production which is sent to quality testing. Another team packs the papads after the rolling is done.
Lijjat papad was all started when 7 women had an idea to start their own franchise by using their cooking skills and to make a living. These 7 women took a modest loan of Rs.80 from Chhaganlal Karamsi Parekh. They made the papads at their own building and started made it into a group venture with the help of their neighbors. Eventually, Lijjat became a household name known for quality papads.
With Chaganbapa’s advice, the women transformed this small venture into a cooperative and started recruiting women. During the first years, they had to stop the production of papads for almost 4 months due to rains. Later, they resolved this issue by buying a cot and a stove.
Lijjat papad later extended their productions to masala, khakhra, wheat atta as well as bakery items. To boost its sales, they started selling their items at trade fairs and exhibitions and also made advertisements to air on televisions. Eventually, they started attracting global interest which included the former Vice President of Uganda Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe.
The makers of Lijjat papad follow the Sarvodaya philosophy. All the members are the owners of the company, which means profit or loss is equally shared among all the members. Every member has the power and authority to make their own decisions on their own initiative.
Today, Lijjat Papad is one of the most successful businesses that is owned by women for the empowerment of women. It helps women not willing to work outside their homes and contribute to their family incomes.
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