What If It Fails? Is That Holding You From Starting Up? Here Is My Story

I was one of the common confused 12th-grade kids who genuinely didn’t know what he/she was gonna do later in life. Although I always aspired to do something different from the run of the mill stuff. But at that moment I just knew I had to opt for engineering and had no other option.

It was during the lockdown I wanted to be more productive and become more efficient by learning new skills and looking for something productive. I didn't dream of becoming an entrepreneur but yes, I always wanted to do something different from what others do. I belong to a family of great cooks. Apart from being a foodie, I became a great cook as well. Eventually, I decided to start my own food blogging page. With a successful beginning with my page, I decided to launch my own food business, being the first-ever businessperson in my entire family.

I believe every entrepreneur has one fear which is “What if it fails?” But believing in yourself and aiming for what you want to achieve can help. I started small. To my surprise, my endeavour got a lot of love and appreciation; as a matter of fact, it is still getting. 

I am really grateful to have a very supportive family and friends, who without even thinking once, believed in me and supported me throughout. Another fear was my health - I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2020. I feared that I would be able to manage all of this as a whole. But I eventually learned how to and I am glad I did. And the person who truly inspires me to fight for the right and grow higher to achieve my goals is my mom.  

Mehak Warikoo

The biggest hurdle I faced was that besides managing my business I also have a household to look for along with completing my final year of computer engineering, plus my own blog. Besides, my dream is to open up a school for my mother who is passionate about teaching. But she has to stay far away in another country given her work. But taking into consideration everything, I am truly enjoying this entrepreneurial journey, and at the same time striving hard to make it successful.

Having a written plan and keeping a track of every minute, keeping my ego aside, and being open up to suggestions from friends and family; all this indeed is helping me a lot towards my progress. 

Setting up this very first business indeed took a lot of sleepless nights and working hard to make it actually happen - whether it be from designing business cards to roaming around Pune city to look for good quality raw ingredients creating databases to many more. And to be honest, doing all this all by yourself is easier said than done. 

My biggest achievement is that I handle engagement groups, make content for my blogging page, work/collaborate with one of the finest brands, manage the business and also manage the house. I am proud that I have been doing this all by myself. At the end of the day when I look at everything, I realised all these things had turned me into a better and most importantly a stronger person. With all these up and running, I can say that I have become a truly self-dependent woman.

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How To Change Careers, Upskill and Grow: Advice From An IAF Veteran Turned Techie

Throughout my journey, all I can tell is to stop after what others are aiming for. You are magical in your own way. If somebody gives their 100% and works hard on their dreams, I assure you that success is inevitable. Always remember this ‘Be the person of your own dreams.”

Mehak Warikoo is a Computer Engineering student and a foodpreneur food blogger cum influencer. The views expressed are the author's own.