Tough times are inevitable in life. But how we manage ourselves during these times not only defines our spirit but our future too. Though many of us tend to blame our circumstances, few gather the courage to fight those circumstances and achieve their dreams.
36-year-old Shilpa is one such brave soul. Irrespective of her tough financial backgrounds, this inspiring mother has shown the world that nothing is impossible. Being the owner of “Halle Mane Rotti,” a popular fast food truck in Mangaluru, Shilpa has an inspiring story for many of us.
With hardly any money and no degree in business, this brave mom had just one desire: To create a better future for her kid. And this desire made her open a food truck, which later became a successful business venture.
While sharing her inspiring struggle with TBI, she mentioned how her life took an ugly turn after her husband went missing in 2009.
“I had no money and very little savings. I didn’t want to go home, but my lack of education and work experience also meant that I struggled to get a decent job and stay afloat. There were times when I had to mix water in the milk meant for my son,”
Even though she was still coping with the tragic incident, the unstoppable taunts from distant relatives and neighbors made her life worse.
“Every time I went for a job interview for a receptionist, cook, cleaner or saleswoman, people asked me about my husband. Instead of empathy, I received taunts. My skills were ignored and I would be turned down due to the stigma,”
In order to support her in the financial struggle, her brother Chiranjeevi shifted to Mangaluru and took up the job of a security guard. With time Shilpa took up a few menial jobs—in a salon, cyber cafe, and a factory. Still, life wasn’t getting any easier on her.
But rather than giving up on life, this brave courageous woman decided to turn around her life for herself and her kid.
Shilpa started looking for options to increase her income and a conversation with her mother showed her a new path. Remembering the conversation with her mother, Shilpa shared,
“My mother has always loved my cooking style, and would always jokingly wish for a hotel that served my style of food. I was out of ideas, so I thought, why not bank on my culinary skills, and do something?”
Sharing the details of her starting up, she further added:
“Using my final savings for a business venture, something that I was very new to, was a huge risk I took. While I did not doubt my cooking skills, I was worried if Northern Karnataka food would be accepted in Mangaluru. But soldiered on. This was unknown territory, but there was nothing left for me to lose,”
Then in 2015, Shilpa opened her mobile canteen and operated it near educational institutes, offices, and malls. Within no time, her food truck made profits. With low rates and good quality, she started earning up to Rs 5,000 every day, and about a few lakhs every month.
And, then there was a moment that changed her life forever when her inspiring story was captured by a local newspaper
“That story led to more coverage which turned out to be a major turning point for me. In fact, philanthropist Anand Mahindra read about us in a newspaper, and was so moved that he gifted me a Bolero Maxi Truck Plus,”
Now, Shilpa is not only a successful entrepreneur but also an inspiring story for many who are struggling with the circumstances. While concluding her inspiring story, she mentioned:
“With god’s grace and hard work, I have reached a better position today, and I have secured my 12-year-old son’s financial future. My only wish now is to open a hotel of my own someday, and I am working hard to make that dream come true”
At IFORHER, we are in awe of Shilpa and hope her inspiring story will give hope to many, who are struggling with their life circumstances. Shilpa’s story is just a beautiful reminder of how we can’t give up on our lives even when the whole world is fighting against us.