MSME SuperPower:
Building a Legacy: How My Konkan Roots Sparked a Successful Business
Anagha Pankar
Founder, Aaplo Konkan, Pune
Born and raised in the picturesque district of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, my life has always been infused with the vibrant flavors and traditions of the Konkan region. My father, a schoolteacher with entrepreneurial dreams, sold Konkan food products as a side hustle. Watching him juggle his passion and profession deeply inspired me.
While studying in Pune, I decided to follow in his footsteps. I started selling mango poli, amla sherbet, and mango sherbet to college students and neighbors. The love and appreciation these products received sparked something within me—a dream to turn this small venture into a thriving business.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
With just Rs. 25,000 from my savings and Rs. 35,000 from my father, I rented a modest shop, equipping it with basic furniture. I launched during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic—a challenging time, with restrictions and shorter operating hours.
The early days were tough. I worked relentlessly to hone my communication skills, build trust, and foster strong relationships with customers. Slowly but surely, my efforts paid off. Earnings of Rs. 500-1,000 per day began to grow as word spread about the authenticity of our Konkan products.
We expanded our offerings to include syrups, pickles, papads, cashews, candies, and a variety of mango-based delicacies. Among our top sellers were our dry mango and Kali Maina pickles, kokum syrup, and amla syrup—all beloved for their traditional, homemade taste.
Empowering Women and Building a Team
One of the proudest aspects of Aaplo Konkan is our team. Today, over 90% of our staff are women, many of whom had never worked outside their homes before. While they were already skilled in Konkan cuisine, my sister, a Food Technology graduate, helped refine their techniques.
I personally trained them in packaging, billing, and other shop operations. Watching them grow into confident, skilled professionals has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. They embody the spirit of Aaplo Konkan—a brand built on authenticity, teamwork, and pride in our heritage.
A Turning Point with Walmart Vriddhi
As the business grew, I knew we needed to expand beyond the walls of our shop to make our products accessible to customers across India. That’s when I discovered the Walmart Vriddhi Program, and it became a turning point in my entrepreneurial journey.
The program taught me invaluable lessons about branding, pricing, online marketing, and marketplace operations. Armed with this knowledge, I took a Rs. 1 lakh loan from PhonePe to develop a professional branding strategy and enhance our product packaging.
That’s how Aaplo Konkan (Our Konkan) was born—a brand that celebrates Konkani culture and heritage. With a marketing team in place, we began expanding our offline presence through partnerships with other shops while also building a strong online presence.
Growing with Flipkart
Leveraging Flipkart as a platform, we established a strong digital presence. The tools and resources Flipkart provided—such as product photography tips and listing optimization—helped amplify our brand’s visibility and drive incredible sales growth.
Through consistent efforts, we achieved 100% growth, launched new products, and improved customer engagement through better branding and social media outreach. Flipkart’s support was instrumental in positioning Aaplo Konkan as a trusted name in the market.
The Walmart Vriddhi program also helped refine our pricing strategy and align our products with market demand. These improvements brought more customers, increased our sales, and enhanced our reach beyond Maharashtra.
Spreading the Flavors of Konkan
Today, Aaplo Konkan is synonymous with authenticity and quality. While many of our loyal customers are Maharashtrian, we’ve proudly expanded to markets in Kolkata and Gujarat, with plans to reach other states and even international markets.
For me, these products are more than just food—they’re a way of sharing the rich heritage, traditions, and flavors of the Konkan region with the world.
Looking Ahead with Pride
This journey hasn’t been without challenges, but each hurdle has made me stronger. From a small shop to a recognized brand, Aaplo Konkan is more than a business—it’s a legacy.
With a dedicated team, a strong brand, and the support of programs like Walmart Vriddhi, I am excited for what lies ahead. My vision is to continue spreading the vibrant traditions of Konkan, one product at a time, and to proudly share my roots with the world.