VASCO: Faced with the harsh realities of unemployment, Mohammad Sameer Shaikh exhibited remarkable resilience and courage by launching his own startup. He named his catering venture ‘The Naniji’s’ in honour of his grandmother, starting this culinary journey from a rented premise in Vasco three years ago. Today, Sameer proudly boasts of a clientele of around 1,400 regular customers, who swear by his delicious biryani.
Looking back on his hard times, Sameer shares, “Coming from a lower-income middle-class family, I completed a food production course and obtained my diploma after finishing school. I worked in Goa for some time and then moved to Kuwait. However, personal reasons brought me back to India, and I didn’t return.”
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Back in India and faced with limited job opportunities, Sameer began selling spices as a roadside vendor in various markets. Despite his efforts, he struggled to save money and support his family, which includes his dependent mother and three siblings. His elder brother, a taxi driver, has been a supportive figure, helping Sameer out whenever possible.
The Covid-19 pandemic further complicated the spice trade, making it difficult for Sameer to sustain his business.
However, those in his family and neighbourhood familiar with his cooking skills encouraged him to start a catering business. “My clients now span across regions, with people from as far as Margao placing orders and coming to pick up their deliveries. I also cater for small parties, with the largest order so far being for around 300 people at a church event,” he shared.
Sameer believes in serving food with honesty and love. “There are many in the catering business, but my growth from scratch to nearly 1,400 clients today is due to the grace of the Almighty and my commitment to exceeding customer expectations. We maintain cordial relations with our customers, ensuring they leave with full stomachs and happy hearts.”
The Naniji’s offers a diverse menu with over 30 items, but Sameer’s three different variants of biryani are the favourites among his clientele. He serves chicken, mutton, and vegetable biryani in three styles: green biryani, dum biryani, and Naniji’s ‘Special biryani’, his grandmother’s treasured recipe.
When asked about his future plans, Sameer expressed his dreams of growth. “Everyone in the food business dreams of having a restaurant. I, too, wish to have one someday, but that’s a long-term goal. In three years, my life has transformed from struggling to make ends meet to running a humble but thriving start-up with my family’s help. Currently, I don’t have any employees, but when I am able to pay good salaries, I will expand my enterprise.”
