I am a women entrepreneur who set up the brand Nectar Fresh in November 2007 at the lowest phase in my life. I am a first generation entrepreneur and it gives me great satisfaction that today Nectar Fresh empowers many rural and tribal people. My parents were teachers. I had to discontinue my studies after my 12th due to personal reasons. I lost my dad at a phase where his support mattered a lot to me. Nectar Fresh was set up from scratch without any guidance or support.
Tell us about Nectar Fresh
Nectar Fresh is a small scale unit set up in rural Mandya, Karnataka which meets the best international standards. Nectar Fresh is a Khadi and Village board-backed rural enterprise. It is one of the largest suppliers of Honey in India today, adhering to stringent international specifications. Nectar Fresh has the capacity to process 200 tons and source more than 500 tons of raw honey per month. With an intension to support local farmers, Nectar Fresh has diversified into jams and sauces as well as coffee. Today our company’s products are synonymous with the word quality. It gives us great pleasure that a unit of Khadi and Village Board is creating waves in the domestic as well as international market with its quality packaging and high quality products.
Our cliental includes the hospitality and retail sectors as well as bulk buyers both in the domestic and international market. Our products have the privilege of replacing international brands in the hospitality sector with portion packs of 15g blisters/chiplets as well as 30g bottles in honey and jams, and has taken out the monopoly that existed for two decades.
With its consistent supply of high quality honey, the company has been a major and most preferred supplier of the Ayurveda and Pharma sectors. Nectar Fresh is even making its presence felt in the villages with its retail launch last month.
Tell us about your association with WEConnect? How has it helped your entrepreneurship journey?
I have been associated with WEConnect for the past year and look forward to its support in our endeavour to export to the US and EU markets. A workshop that I attended has helped me enhance my business skills further. WEConnect has also provided me with networking opportunities.
Why do you think women should participate in Think Big this year?
I would suggest that women participate in Think Big because it would give them not only the confidence to expand and grow but would bring out the best in them. The event is a platform to help women succeed in their chosen field. As women listen to other successful women entrepreneurs they will be inspired and shall imbibe positive attitude to help them achieve their goals. The networking opportunities would also help them to explore new markets. Guidance from government officials and leaders from industries with expertise and knowledge in their respective fields would also be of immense help.
What advice do you have for women starting out on their own?
I firmly believe that nothing is impossible in life. We need to have determination to achieve our goals. Patience, perseverance and hard work can help us fulfil any dream. The most vital aspect is to believe in yourself. I personally feel women have inner strength which they themselves are not always aware of. When a situation arises with hard work and a ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude women can always succeed beyond their own expectations.
If you could ask for one thing to help propel your business what would it be?
Guidance for exporting since our products meet the FDA and EU standards. We have the capacity to process huge volumes adhering to stringent quality standards. With our growth we can furthermore create employment to the rural and tribal communities.
What does the future hold for you?
The satisfaction of creating employment and empowering rural employees has been immense. The very thought that with our growth, we can create more employment made us diversify into other rural produce.
We look forward to promoting products in which rural India specialises. We also look at restructuring non-performing units of rural women entrepreneurs into progressive units by providing technical knowhow and knowledge on quality control. Eventually, we look at marketing their products in the Nectar Fresh brand both in the domestic and the international market.
About Chayaa Nanjappa
Chayaa Nanjappa set up Nectar Fresh, an REGP, backed by Khadi & Village Industries Board, in November 2007. The unit was initially set up at Bommanahalli, Bangalore and relocated to Mysore in 2010. The brand has grown substantially by word of mouth because of its high quality, innovative packaging. The new Nectar Fresh unit is set up in rural Mandya with a vision to employ and empower rural employees.
Chayaa Nanjappa has been recognised for her work. Some of her achievements are listed below:
- Member of the National Bee Board
- Women Entrepreneur of the year by FKCCI 2013-2014
- Women Entrepreneur of the year in the line of FOOD PROCESSING by COWE 2013-2014
- Best Women Entrepreneur of the year 2014 by NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (NFED)
- Winner of the CNBC Women Entrepreneur award for the year 2014-2015
- NECTAR FRESH has been nominated by the Khadi and Village Board for National Award for the Year 2014 -2015 in Innovative Packaging
- NECTAR FRESH has been nominated for Asia 100 Best Fastest Growing FMCG Brands by World Consulting and Research Corporation (WCRC) in the year 2014-2015
- Winner of the Priyadarshini Award 2015-16
For further information please contact
Websites: www.nectarfreshfoods.com / www.nectarfreshcoorghoney.com / www.nectarfreshpremiumcoffee.com
Phone: +91 9880055606, +91 9448061090, +91 9448283980
Think Big 2015: Women in Business Forum
India’s Platform for Women in Business
The third annual Think Big: Women in Business Forum will be held on 9 October 2015 at Hyatt Regency Delhi, where 400 participants, including women entrepreneurs, corporate buyers, industry mentors, investors, and media are expected to come together. Think Big 2015 will be a high profile event filled with interesting speakers, panel discussions and interactive skill-building workshops. The event presents great opportunities for business networking among investors, corporate buyers and women business owners.
For sponsorship and booths, please write to [email protected]
To register, click here
This article was provided by WeAreTheCity Bangalore Lead Puja Kohli.
