Today, we talk to Upekshi Muththettupitagama, a banking investigator inspired by foodie parents to developed Truffles as a side business.
Here are some responses which tells us her story:
- Tell us about your business; what is the product/service
My business is called Truffles and it is home based and I do all sorts of food ranging from Asian and International cuisine to the Sri Lankan rice and curry. Thai Fried Rice set menus, Korean Food, Dumplings, Roasts, Barbecues, Salads, lunch and dinner meals etc are on the cards. I also cater to small parties and undertake desserts, cakes and puddings.
The most popular food item on the Truffles menus are brownies, liquor chocolate truffles (when I first started), dumplings, yellow rice in banana leaf, and the set menus.
- How long has it been in operation and how many people do you employ?
Since 2021 and currently, all operations from planning to preparation is solely done by me. I’m my only employee but I have my husband helping me part time.
3. How did you start? Where did you get the idea from?
I have always been in love with food, especially eating, and my late father who was a restaurant owner, among many other things, had the best food – Thai set menus, in Pelmadulla. The flavours were well balanced, spicy, sweet, savoury and just so delicious. I still remember the taste of his food, although I haven’t had any for almost 10 years. I always loved to see him cook and loved to help him and the Thai set menus were his speciality.
Mother dear was also an amazing cook. Sri Lankan food was her forte. My mouth waters every time I think about her food, yes I am a foodie.
Some our most cherished memories are always surrounding food. Food helps me remember my loved ones and cherish our times together. I love cooking for people and seeing them enjoy my food. Therefore, to pursue it further, I dropped out of university and did my diploma in international cookery and culinary arts.
4. What are the difficulties/obstacles you faced in running your biz? Did you solve it and how?
Time management, cost saving, costing and marketing my own products were some of the difficulties I faced. By trial and error and leaning from my mistakes and seeking help, I overcome most of these.
5. Is there a person or situation that inspired you and where do you draw your strength and resolve from?
There might have been many situations but God and my God given people are my strength and my resolve.
6. Are there others helping you? Family, friends? If so what type of help do you get?
My family helps and so do my friends, helping me spread the word and of course providing tremendous emotional and even physical support at times.
7. What is the benefit you get a part from making profit?
Simply put, I enjoy seeing people enjoy my food. I interact with my customers and open myself to learning from them. Feedback is so important for a business.
8. Talk us through some of your positive or negative qualities that have shaped or been detrimental to the business?
Time management, being stressed at first when my mind does not plan out the whole process. At times like that I need to step out of the kitchen, breathe, sit and rest and then come back with a clearer mind. It’s my husband who constantly reminds me to do that.
The positives are that I get to learn from my experience in the kitchen and help me research and learn before I step into making a certain food item, especially baking.
9. Any outsourced entities/person that benefit from your biz?
I try to buy my ingredients from people or businesses that I think needs help or business while trying to reduce my cost of raw materials as well.
10. How did you manage work/life balance through it all?
Initially I didnt, which is why I resigned from my corporate jobs. I value the concept. With my business, I’m learning little by little to develop a work life balance which is actually very healthy for myself and my family.
11. Future plans?
Future plans would be to open a restaurant. I have an idea of how it should and would be in my head, and how it’s supposed to be operated. Hoping I can realize my dream soon.
12. Advise to others who may wish to start a business
Start where you are with the resources you have. Think of it like this, you rather live and die doing what you like than what you wouldn’t like. But at the end of our lives we need to look back and feel like we did justice to ourselves as well as to our loved ones. This is not a walk in the park, it’s literally blood, sweat and tears all the way through. But ask if it’s worth it. Start right where you are, pray all the way through, keep God in the center of whatever you do and be grateful where you are. You are more than good to go. Good Luck and GOD BLESS.
We at DiriyaLK wish Upekshi the very best.