Poor Labourer From Wayanad Builds A ₹4000 CR Idli Dosa Empire| Stories From Bharat Ep 40| CurlyTales

Summary

PC Mustafa, the CEO of ID Fresh Foods, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in poverty in rural Kerala to building a billion-dollar business. Starting with humble jobs at a young age, Mustafa's perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit led him to create a global food company that produces fresh, chemical-free idly and dosa batter. With a focus on innovation, technology, and ethical business practices, ID Fresh Foods has scaled rapidly while empowering rural India through employment. Mustafa’s story emphasizes the importance of values, hard work, and using technology to revolutionize industries, offering a powerful lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mustafa started working at the age of 10, helping his father on a ginger farm, earning just 10 rupees a day, showcasing early determination and a strong work ethic.
• 😀 Despite facing financial struggles in his youth, Mustafa became a successful entrepreneur, founding ID Fresh Foods, a company now valued at over 4,000 crore rupees.
• 😀 Mustafa's father was initially shocked and emotional when Mustafa's first salary of 14,000 rupees surpassed his own lifetime earnings, highlighting the contrast in their financial situations.
• 😀 PC Mustafa believes in creating value-driven businesses, emphasizing that making money without compromising on values or cutting corners is a tough but rewarding path.
• 😀 ID Fresh Foods produces over 5,000 kg of idly and dosa batter daily and operates in 10 countries, making it a global leader in the ready-to-eat South Indian breakfast segment.
• 😀 Mustafa’s entrepreneurial journey began with small businesses, like running a kirana store and selling goats, before transitioning into larger ventures.
• 😀 Mustafa's success story includes overcoming educational challenges, dropping out of school, and then returning to become a school topper, particularly in mathematics.
• 😀 Despite his immense success, Mustafa remains humble and continues to work closely with rural communities, employing over 90% of his workforce from rural India.
• 😀 ID Fresh Foods is highly profitable, running at less than 1% wastage, thanks to heavy investment in technology and forecasting systems.
• 😀 The idly and dosa batter industry is a billion-dollar opportunity, with cities like Bangalore consuming an astonishing 3 crore idlies every day, underlining the vast scale of the business.
• 😀 Mustafa's business model emphasizes freshness and natural ingredients, resisting the use of chemicals and preservatives, ensuring a clean, quality product for consumers.

Q & A

What motivated PC Mustafa to work at such a young age?

PC Mustafa was motivated to work at the age of 10 due to his family's financial struggles. His father was a daily wage worker in a ginger farm, and Mustafa had to contribute to the household to help make ends meet.

How did PC Mustafa contribute to his family's financial situation as a child?

At the age of 10, Mustafa worked alongside his father in the ginger farm, earning a daily wage of 10 Rupees. He also started a small business selling chocolates and later invested in livestock like goats and cows, which became a regular income source for the family.

How did PC Mustafa's early entrepreneurial experiences shape his future business ventures?

PC Mustafa's early entrepreneurial experiences taught him the value of hard work and financial management. These formative years, where he ran small businesses and supported his family, laid the foundation for his later success in establishing ID Fresh Foods.

What was the turning point for Mustafa when he started his professional career?

The turning point came when Mustafa secured a job at Manhattan Associates, Bangalore, after completing his engineering degree. His first salary of 14,000 Rupees a month was a huge moment for him and his family, especially his father, who had never seen that much money.

What business idea led to the creation of ID Fresh Foods?

The idea for ID Fresh Foods came when Mustafa and his cousins noticed issues with the quality and hygiene of idly dosa batter being sold in the market. They decided to start their own business to provide fresh, high-quality batter, initially starting with minimal equipment and investment.

How did technology play a role in the success of ID Fresh Foods?

Technology played a crucial role in scaling up ID Fresh Foods. Mustafa and his team used advanced forecasting systems and automated machinery to reduce waste, improve consistency, and maintain hygiene. The company now runs at less than 1% wastage, a significant achievement for a perishable product.

What challenges did ID Fresh Foods face in its early days?

In the early days, ID Fresh Foods faced challenges such as high wastage rates, with 90% of their products being returned unsold. They also struggled with manual labor and capacity limitations. Over time, they improved their operations with technology and better market forecasting.

How does the size of the idly dosa business in India compare to global opportunities?

The idly dosa batter business represents a massive opportunity, with over 1 crore (10 million) people in Bangalore alone consuming idly on a regular basis. The total scale of the business, if extended to other cities like Chennai, shows an enormous global food business potential, which Mustafa and his company are tapping into.

What is Mustafa's philosophy regarding business and success?

Mustafa believes in a value-based approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing hard work, integrity, and consistency. His key mantras include taking action today instead of waiting, staying focused on one’s journey, and making money without compromising on values.

What does PC Mustafa hope to achieve in the future with ID Fresh Foods?

PC Mustafa hopes to continue growing ID Fresh Foods into a global leader in fresh, natural food products while maintaining its core values. He envisions a future where his company leads the fight against chemicals and preservatives in food, providing healthier alternatives to consumers worldwide.