SWEET INNINGS, BRIGHT EARNINGS
She’s delivering joy to collective taste-buds apart from lending a glowing touch to the lives of her abiding clientele. What’s better, Ms. Parendi Gai – chocolate-maker (‘Magic Melts’) and candle-maker (‘Flickering Flame’) - has lassoed in success on both fronts. Ajit Ramachanddran spotlights Ms. Chocolatier-n-Chandler
Ajit Ramachanddran
SWEET INNINGS, BRIGHT EARNINGS
She’s delivering joy to collective taste-buds apart from lending a glowing touch to the lives of her clientele. What’s better, Ms. Parendi Gai – chocolate-maker (‘Magic Melts’) and candle-maker (‘Flickering Flame’) - has lassoed in success on both fronts. Ajit Ramachanddran spotlights 'Ms.Chocolatier-n-Chandler'
At 22, her blissful Taurean life is nothing short of a cakewalk. Or more appropriately, cake talk.
Ms. Parendi Gai is presently relishing success as a chocolatier with ‘Magic Melts’ even as she stands radiant as a candle-maker with ‘Flickering Flame.’
While Parendi lit up her business journey as a chandler in 2016, her tryst with chocolates flagged off to a delectable trail in February 2020 during the strictly unsavoury lockdown. Zooming into chat-mode with the entrepreneur…
Name It Right
“My parents and I brain-stormed for catchy and appropriate names. We then finalised on ‘Flickering Flame’ for candles and ‘Magic Melts’ for melt‑in‑the‑mouth chocolates.”
Green-lighting Plan
“Although there were orders throughout 2016 for candles, the demand was more seasonal. Later, when I started my chocolate-making business in February 2020, I informed my existing customers and my parents' friends, family and contacts. People started trying my products, and appreciated the quality. While I gradually innovated, experimented and increased my range of products, the demand increased considerably and orders started coming in for occasions, birthdays, festivals and corporate gifting.”
Initial Hiccups?
“To be honest, there was no internal obstacles, except that my father would "pinch" a few of the surplus chocolates. He is a foodie and loves chocolates.”
Parental Power
“Both my parents are very supportive and encourage me. My mother is also extremely creative and gives me ideas on how to innovate and create unique products. Any item that is first made is tasted by us, and only once we are completely satisfied, do we introduce it to certain friends and relatives for their opinion, and subsequently start marketing it.”
Play It Great
“It is up to an entrepreneur to carve out a niche in the market by consistently providing good quality products, meeting deadlines of consumers for orders placed, and generating a demand through creativity of new and attractive products, such as white couverture chocolate pistachio fudge, chocolate fillings in edible chocolate tarts, etc.”
Sparkling USP
“Providing good quality products using the finest ingredients and maintaining consistency of quality. Additionally, using creative talent to make the product eye-appealing and attractive to the buyer. I also make Bhappa Doi, a unique and lesser-known Bengali dessert that some customers have truly developed a fondness for and placed orders regularly."
Homely Delights
“I had a very sweet tooth...but after being so involved and surrounded by chocolates, I have lost my fondness for sweets. But I love an occasional chocolate ice‑cream. As a chandler, we have beautiful candle-light dinner at home on occasions.”
Smart & Sharp
“I would say: Forget a ‘get-rich-quick’ approach. If your product is good, it will automatically get recognition through word-of-mouth publicity, which is far more effective than any advertisement. And when you finally achieve recognition and success, do not try to grow beyond your capacity by compromising on quality.”
Road Ahead…
“After having seen the plight of people facing salary cuts and unemployment during the pandemic, I feel that having my own home‑based business is far better. I’ve achieved creative satisfaction and happiness turning my hobby into a business. I’m a Sociology graduate, but I have not abandoned the idea of pursuing higher studies, so long as it does not hamper my business. In the future, I would look forward to get more corporate orders and would like my products to be sold at exclusive outlets.”
Never mind the feigned anger, women her age secretly take delight in being referred to as a “PYT.” As in,Pretty Young Thing. Ms. Gai might beg to differ. And probably, would prefer being termed: “SYT.” Sweet Young Thing, that is.
(Facebook: @flickeringflamecandles @magicmeltspg )
(Instagram: @flickeringflamecandlespg @magicmeltspg )
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