“I recall standing in Africa and reflecting on how our team and family of Halwais have come a long way from a small shop in Indore to working at Exotic Global Locations for professional commitments and iconic events. It overwhelms me how we, the team of Halwais experienced serving our clients in Lake Como one weekend to serving in Maasai Mara the next week.”
In an interview with Entrepreneurs Today, Megha Dakalia recalls one of the moments in her journey that inspired her the most. Let’s get to know her better.
Megha Dakalia is a food technologist and entrepreneur who is actively involved in her family business, Shree Gangour. She plays a crucial role in the company, which is an established name in the food and hospitality industry. Shree Gangour has built a reputation for producing and marketing their own products and services.
As a food technologist, Megha Dakalia brings her expertise in food science to ensure that the brand’s products meet high standards of innovation, quality and safety. She understands the importance of client relationship management and consistently values the relationships with customers and collaborators.
The success of Shree Gangour can be attributed to its clear vision and commitment to providing customers with quality products. Megha Dakalia and her team are dedicated to serving their customers and strive to maintain the same level of quality and transparency in all their ventures, whether it’s in retail, restaurant operations, catering services or corporate alliances.
Nurturing a Legacy of Flavor
Megha Dakalia is inspired by her father, Mr. Mahindraa Dakalia and mother, Mrs. Meenu Dakalia, who founded Shree Gangour Group with a vision to spread his love and passion for food. Starting with humble beginnings in Indore in 1993, the company has grown to become a prominent player in the retail, global catering, and corporate gifting sectors.
She tells us, “It all started when a young and dynamic man, my father, Mr. Mahindraa Dakalia dreamt of spreading his infinite love & passion for food amongst others. He took to the courageous path of creating an empire from the scratch with constant support from his wife, Mrs. Meenu Dakalia and his brothers. His passion and zest were the addition to this legacy that was passed on to the 2nd generation. Now, his vision and support are what drives me and accelerates my hustle capability.”
Megha’s debut event experience at the Ambani-Piramal Wedding showcased her capabilities, and since then, she has enjoyed working and leaving her impressions at various global locations. These experiences have further fueled her passion and drive to excel in the industry.
The Unique Culinary Journey
What makes Megha Dakalia’s business unique is the emphasis on innovation. Shree Gangour Group stands out by infusing passion and innovation into every aspect of their operations. They believe in creating unique and one-of-a-kind products that combine different elements to deliver a distinct culinary experience.
Megha highlights, “The fuel to our business is the passion and innovation with which we run and operate the same. We believe a difficult combination yields a classified and an “OOAK” product. From vivid presentation to an unconventional palatable texture, we specialize in crafting combinations that are customized, and specially planned and are statement dishes to lure any consumer. Majorly, the fusion feel, food and factor are what we vouch for and deliver to amalgamate the contradicting nuances amongst customs and civilization.”
By blending diverse influences, Shree Gangour Group creates a fusion feel and food factor that sets them apart. They understand the nuances of customs and civilization and aim to create dishes that amalgamate these contradictions in a harmonious and appealing manner.
Overcoming Challenges
Megha Dakalia has faced several challenges in her entrepreneurial journey. One of the challenges she encountered was the need to adapt to modern times and implement tech-friendly systems. As the business grew and evolved, Megha recognized the importance of streamlining operations and incorporating technology to improve efficiency.
To overcome this challenge, Megha focused on creating ad hoc teams with specialists in niche tasks. This approach allowed for more organized and efficient results in various aspects of the business.
“Alongside this, our catering segment is our strong battleground. With my nature, personality, and skill set, fieldwork has always got me excited. It’s got its set of alfresco tasks and setups, and definitely obstacles, but in the end, every event is an ultimate distinct experience,” adds Megha.
Despite the challenges, Megha sees each event as a unique and distinct experience, which ultimately kindles her passion and determination to overcome any obstacles that come her way.
Serving Success, One Plate at a Time
The measure of success for Megha Dakalia and her business is primarily based on consumer satisfaction and the quality of the products they deliver. As a service-oriented industry, the sense of achievement is closely tied to meeting the demands of customers and ensuring their satisfaction.
Given that food is of paramount importance in any event, the ability to consistently deliver fine quality and glorious products that are appreciated by consumers is a significant indicator of success for Megha and her team. The positive feedback and appreciation they receive from customers are valuable measures of their achievements.
In addition to customer satisfaction, Megha also finds personal fulfillment in following her hobbies and passions. Co-authoring books and immersing herself in the art and appreciation of food are personal achievements that contribute to her sense of success.
Furthermore, Megha acknowledges the support and confidence she receives from her team and the industry. Their trust in her abilities and her ability to multitask effectively are additional measures of accomplishment for her.
The Future of Shree Gangour Group
The future plans for Megha Dakalia and Shree Gangour Group involve expanding into industrial production and take the quantum leap into the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market. Recognizing the extensive potential and reach of this market, they aim to design perishable products with prolonged shelf life by leveraging modern technology. This step will enable them to enter the league of plant production, further enhancing their capabilities and offerings.
In addition to industrial production, they plan to break through different divisions within the food industry. This suggests that they are exploring and working on opportunities to diversify their business and expand into new segments and sectors related to food.
Lessons learned
One of the lessons Megha Dakalia has learned is the importance of patience and waiting for opportunities to come. Despite her aspirations and dedication to her family business, there were times when she doubted herself and felt like she had nothing to contribute to this empire. The process of waiting and killing time was monotonous and frightening for her.
However, Megha managed to overcome those challenges through patience and belief. She trusted the process and continued to work towards her goals and her dream of absorbing and acing this empire. As a result of her perseverance, she has reached a significant stage where she feels accomplished and gratified, with her hands and heart full.
This journey or as you may call the saga, has taught Megha the value of patience, perseverance, and self-belief. It has shown her that sometimes waiting for the right opportunities and trusting the process can lead to notable achievements and incredible personal growth.
