Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverages but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anirudh Mamtora, Owner of RUANI, located in Washington, DC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Welcome to the Taste Revolution.
Heal your gut with the fudgiest, nutrition-packed, adaptogenic brownies. The only difference you’ll notice is in your health!
At RUANI, we’re on an exciting mission to bring you delicious desserts that tantalize the tastebuds while working wonders on your gut health. RUANI says, ‘Sayonara!” to 10-syllable ingredients and health hazards disguised as treats to provide you with a delectable range of adaptogenic, melt-in-your-mouth brownies. We go beyond providing scrumptious sweet treats to deliver the quintessential ooey-gooey brownie that actively works to heal your gut and bring your body into balance with nature’s help. Our prime customers are dessert/snack lovers who are consciously looking to get the best of both taste and health. Gen Z, families looking for healthy dessert alternatives, and fast-paced consumer who is always on the go are the key attributes in a customer we actively cater to.
At RUANI, we aim to do more than join the all-natural movement – we envision revolutionizing the industry, one heavenly bite at a time!
Tell us about yourself
I have always followed my sweet tooth all over the world to perfect my craft of Pastry. From French fine dining in Europe and the spice-filled streets of India to cruise-ship kitchens, Chicago’s finest pastry schools, and even the small screen’s Food Network, I have spent the past decade mastering the art of dessert. Between ten-tier wedding cakes and the tiniest petite fours, I noticed that, like many of us, I was relying on store-bought treats to satisfy my cravings. Each time I consumed one of these less-than-desirable desserts, I would end up with a range of symptoms, including a bloated tummy, adverse skin reactions, or massive headaches – not ideal when you’re trying to build a pastry empire.
I realized that there had to be others who were experiencing the same thing and set out to do the seemingly impossible: Create an irresistible dessert that no one would need to resist. A dessert that was yummy and good for the tummy.
I started experimenting with the bold concept of a gut-healthy, adaptogenic brownie, looking to turn one of my favorite treats into an immunity-boosting, stress-reducing bite-sized confection. I relied on all-natural ingredients that packed a super nourishing punch, using nutrient-rich components such as Ashwagandha, almond flour, avocado oil, organic pasture-raised eggs, and unrefined coconut sugar to create my masterpiece. After hours of experiments and trials on tummies of all kinds, I was finally ready to present RUANI’s first three Brownie offerings.
Combining my wife Ruchi’s name with my own, the word RUANI directly translates to “From the Soul.” An apt name for a range that is quite literally made from the best that the earth has to offer. Free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar, GMOs, and harmful chemicals, the brand is based on a set of four simple principles:
- Uncompromising quality
- Clean, simple ingredients
- Catering to conscious consumers
- Gut-healing deliciousness in every bite
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In less than six months of launch, RUANI has accomplished quite a few things:
- RUANI took the Championship Trophy at the NOSH Pitch Slam 2022 in New York, cementing our place in the CPG world, which also clearly showed us that there is surely a demand for better for your dessert.
- RUANI also successfully obtained a crowdfunding round with KIVA to fund the business further and grow.
- Our brand is currently selling in more than 35 stores in the US, including Erewhon Market, Compass Coffee, Union Kitchen stores & Shop Made in DC. Also, D2C and online retailers like Bubble goods are our prime marketplaces where our brownies are sold.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
If one is a passionate business owner then there are not a lot of things that can hinder an entrepreneur mentally. Surely things can get overwhelming, and it may make one feel lost or lose control over things periodically, which is part of the journey. But these hurdles aren't just there to bring one down.
As a business owner, I take lessons from my mistakes and, better yet, learn from others' mistakes and not repeat what might be a costlier affair to fix later down the line.
Ultimately keeping the passion alive and believing in yourself all day, every day, is one the hardest things that you have to keep pushing yourself towards. Because at the end of the day, if you stop believing in your product, business, and vision, then no one else will.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be Passionate about your business and never lose faith in yourself.
- Failure leads to success. Never fear failing, as the best lessons are learned from failures. Better yet, learn from others' mistakes and avoid falling into the same pit.
- Never believe that you can do it all. You might end up burning out trying to do everything solo. Focus on your strengths and try and get help from friends or family members if the option exists while starting out.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.eatruani.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatruani/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatruani/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruani-llc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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