How to launch a home-based achar business in India and make lakhs per month?
If you are not an Indian native, you might be wondering what the heck is achar. Achar is defined as pickles in the dictionary. I think you now understand the main points of our discussion.
Today, in this Achar Ka Business, we’ll learn how to launch a pickle-related home business and create a strong brand. We will comprehend the strategies used in production, packaging, marketing, and brand development.
Achar’s popularity in Indian cuisine.
I believe you will agree that almost every Indian home will have a jar of achar, whether it be nimbu ka achar, aam ka achar, lashun ka achar, or hari mirch ka achar. Have you ever given it a reason? Here are the key justifications for why achar is the most cherished food item in India.
- Flavorful Taste: It provides bursts of tangy, spicy, and savory flavor enhancing the taste of a meal.
- Preserving seasonal fruits and produce: The excess of fruits and vegetable produces in countryside generally get preserved through pickling process and people enjoy them during off season.
- Cultural significance: Achar holds a cultural and emotional significance in Indian cuisine, there are regions in India the 3 major meals are served along pickles.
- Medicinal Values: It is believed that certain preparations of pickles are considered to have digestive benefits.
- Accompaniments: There are Indian dishes considered to be incomplete if not served along pickles.
India is a country with diverse regional cuisines, and each region has its own unique pickle recipes. Different pickles are made using various ingredients, spices, and methods, reflecting the culinary diversity of the country. This diversity adds to the popularity of pickles in India.
Why do I believe that an achar business can succeed even if it is begun from home?
- Its popularity made the category very fast-moving grocery item, hence demand is not the issue.
- Easy to produce, hence, no high-end machinery or infrastructure is required.
- Long shelf life reduces the damage cost.
- The variety and scope of innovative recipes helps create USP.
- Easy product placement.
- Easy availability of raw ingredients.
- Low cost of production.
- Does not require high level of skills.
- Easy to pack.
- Easy to create a niche and wide range of product mix opportunity.
Having the above attributes in a single line of products is rare, therefore, I see immense opportunity in Achar business. Success is guaranteed if the business is executed with a solid plan.
How to start a home-based business?
Before I start explaining it, let me assure you that starting a business from home is not a rocket science, anyone can start, but there few things one must have.
- Strong determination to make the business a success, you must promise to self that you will not keep any stone unturned to venture success.
- You will always plan and execute, nothing shall not go unplanned, and there must be a plan B.
- Learn form mistakes, keep records of your mistakes.
To start a business from home you must take 3 things in consideration and evaluate properly,
- Is the business you have decided feasible from home in terms of production, packaging, inventory? You should have a proper place and space at your home.
- Does the local government allow doing the business from home?
- Money matters a lot in business, do you have enough money to sustain your business without any income for at least 3 months? Hence, you should have a business plan ready before you start.
To know more about how to start a business from home with minimum investment, read an article I have already written, click here.
How to start a Pickle business from home?
After you have evaluated the points I have mentioned on how to start a business from home take the following steps.
- Experiment different recipes, take help of a good cook.
- Take feedback of your product from your friends and family, venture the improvement scope.
- Finalize the product (At this stage I will suggest single product)
- Decide brand name, logo, label, brand color (Take help of photoshop guy)
- Decide on packaging option (At this stage you must go for sample packaging )
- Form a business entity (Proprietorship)
- Produce in small quantities and package them.
- Obtain necessary permits and licenses required for food products.
- Label the products with logo, permit numbers, ingredients used list, nutritional values etc.
- Buy some low-cost fancy looking display tray (Use your logo, brand name)
- Place the sample products in a high walk-in grocery shop in small quantities. (Make it free, and be present at the point of sale to take customer’s contact information so that you can take feedback later)
- Upon receiving positive feedback, decide on price considering competition price (Try to keep 5% plus minus of competition, keep best margin for retailers)
- Start production in batches and pack them in units (Decide on popular unit, 75% of your overall packaging should be on that)
- Start distributing the products, keep monitoring and refill (Avoid credit business)
- Start bookkeeping, invoicing (There are applications comes as low as Rs 999 a month)
How to promote your achar brand?
As you are building a foundation of a big business starting brand creation right from the beginning will help you a lot when your sales revenue increases, unlike other businesses do not wait to grow revenue then creating brand. Follow the below steps to create a brand cost effectively.
- Do not change your logo, brand name, color (So, while deciding these give thoughtful efforts)
- Always place products in grocery stores with the objective of brand placement. (People must notice your brand before they buy)
- Find ways to attract customers for repeat buying.
- Restrict distribution in a single locality for initial months and do intensive digital marketing in the same market.
- Go online through marketplace platforms like Amazon, Flipkart.
- Participate in local food festivals, trade shows.
- With the increase of revenue (Sales income) gradually increase marketing budget.
- With the increase in sales, expand more to cover maximum width and breath in the targeted market.
- Expand to new market with proper plan, like putting a manufacturing unit nearby the new market, or creating a supply chain (distribution) etc.
The following articles will help you further to create a solid business plan, I suggest you go through the topics before you start achar ka business from home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, beginning a pickle business in India from home can be a satisfying and successful endeavour. The key actions and factors to launch your pickle business and transform your enthusiasm for pickling into a prosperous enterprise have been emphasised in this article.
Priority one should be given to market research and target audience identification. Conduct in-depth market research to gauge local pickle demand, compare rival products, and pinpoint distinctive selling elements that make your pickles stand out. Next, concentrate on drafting a thorough business strategy that covers a variety of topics, including product line, price, distribution options, and marketing tactics. This strategy will act as a road map for your company, assisting you in maintaining organisation and goal-focusedness.
When making pickles, it is crucial to select high-quality ingredients, uphold hygienic standards, and follow food safety requirements. To ensure that your customers receive a product that is both safe and delicious, it is crucial to make sure that your production process complies with all applicable regulations.
Additionally, branding is essential for launching a pickle business. Create a distinctive and memorable brand identity for your pickles, including a logo, appealing packaging, and distinctive product labelling. Your products will stand out if they have a strong brand image, which will also draw in repeat buyers.
Utilise the strength of digital platforms in addition to conventional offline marketing strategies like word-of-mouth and local advertising to reach a wider audience. To promote your products and encourage online sales, make use of social media channels, build a user-friendly website, and investigate online marketplaces.
Finally, establishing trusting rapport with clients and getting their opinions are essential for the expansion and development of your company. Pay attention to the tastes of your clients and modify your offerings as necessary. Building trust and loyalty among your customers will be made easier by providing exceptional customer service and upholding constant quality.
