Summary:
Event Date: January 4th, 2025, hosted by CM Shri Nayab Singh Saini.
Focus: Personal engagement with small business entrepreneurs, mentorship, and government support for startups.
Mentorship Proposal: Discussion about creating mentorship programs with established entrepreneurs guiding younger startups.
Government Support: Enhanced schemes for funding, infrastructure, and market access for startups.
Nidhi’s Grandmaa Secret: Founded in 2023 and generating crores in annual revenue, selling their hair fall control oil.
Customer Base: Over 1.5 lakhs customers across India in 1.5 years
Global Expansion: Expanding into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
New Delhi [India], January 30: In a major step to bolster Haryana’s growing startup ecosystem, Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini hosted an interactive dialogue at his residence, bringing together a dynamic group of small business entrepreneurs. The event, which lasted for over two hours, focused on innovation, mentorship, and collaboration to create a thriving environment for startups in the state.
The conversation began with the Chief Minister proactively and personally interacting with the entrepreneurs in attendance. Shri Saini made it a point to get to know each person, paying close attention to their distinctive tales and the difficulties they had when starting their companies. The CM asked the attendees to share their personal stories, and the beginnings of their journeys.
Nidhi Tuteja-Dua, the founder of Nidhi’s Grandmaa Secret, was one of the entrepreneurs who proactively shared her journey. “It’s truly inspiring to have a government leader take such a personal interest in what we do. Shri Saini’s focus showed us that the government isn’t just about policies—it’s about understanding the reality of being an entrepreneur and facing daily challenges,” Nidhi said. She emphasized that this kind of engagement sets Haryana apart from other states.
She further went on to say that, “In March 2023, I started Nidhi’s Grandmaa’s Secret with my mother-in-law’s help. At first, we made tiny amounts of herbal hair oil and sold it to our apartment complex’s neighbour’s and acquaintances. Word of mouth immediately travelled, and the response was overwhelmingly positive with results of best hair growth from the oil.” Nidhi chuckles, remembering the early days of the company. “I remember our doorbell wouldn’t stop ringing,” she says.
Nidhi’s aspiration increased in tandem with the demand. She asked her husband, Rajat Dua who’s also a digital marketing expert, for assistance in growing Nidhi’s Grandmaa Secret, and help countless individuals with the hair growth oil. The establishment of their Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) platform, which enabled them to reach a far wider audience, was made possible in large part by Rajat’s experience in creating internet businesses. They received more than 100 orders in a single day when one Instagram reel went viral.
The topic swiftly shifted from the entrepreneurs’ personal tales to a more serious one regarding how the government could effectively assist young business owners. In order to nurture the next generation of business leaders, the CM emphasized the value of guidance. He suggested that the government should establish formal mentorship programs so that more experienced business owners might advise younger, more fledgling companies.
Nidhi, who has successfully navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship herself, was particularly enthusiastic about the idea of mentorship. “Having someone who has been through the grind and understands the nuances of running a business is invaluable,” Nidhi stated. “I think the mentorship program will be a game-changer for many entrepreneurs, especially those just starting. It will make the journey less daunting, and help startups avoid the mistakes that often derail businesses.”
The goal of the mentorship program is to pair together seasoned business owners with up-and-coming companies, providing them with guidance on everything from funding to business strategy, and from overcoming legal obstacles to expanding operations. In addition to lowering the learning curve for aspiring business owners, the initiative would encourage industry-wide cooperation and knowledge exchange.
As the conversation went on, the emphasis switched to how the government of Haryana could assist companies more actively outside of mentorship. Important concerns were brought up by entrepreneurs regarding the need for measures to assist them reach a wider audience, more favourable infrastructure, and improved access to capital. The CM reassured the guests that the government was already aware of these problems and that it would endeavour to enhance current programs and implement new ones that would hasten the development of startups.
Also present at this meetup were founders from some of the popular shark tank brands like P-Tal, Beastlife and Pizza Galleria.
The entrepreneurs were particularly pleased with the CM’s openness to their feedback and the government’s willingness to refine policies based on real-world input. Nidhi expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to making these changes a reality: “The fact that the government is actively seeking feedback and is genuinely committed to helping us grow is inspiring. I believe this partnership between entrepreneurs and the government will create a strong ecosystem that can foster innovation and business success.”
With entrepreneurs like Nidhi leading the charge and the government backing them every step of the way, Haryana is poised to become a leading hub for startups in India.
Website Link: grandmaasecret.com
