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Name: Maneesha Chunduri
Business: Kamakshi Restaurant
Industry: Food & Beverage
Location: New Delhi, India
Reason for starting: I started this project for my nine year old daughter’s security and for her life after me. There is no one to take care of her after me…I have raised her all alone. Giving her a good life is my only objective in life.
Related: Read about another foodie entrepreneur here.
How do you define success? You are successful when you start feeling “I have it all” with career success.
Biggest Success: I was shown the face of my two year old daughter in a hope for my survival [after a bad car accident], who was in shock asked my mother, “Is she my mumma?” I heard her voice and decided not to die, no matter what may come and started to walk with support despite the big rod in my left leg and arm with 152 stitches. The only thing that would come to my mind was to walk soon as possible so that I could live on my own again to take care of my little one. My face was completely worn off due the glass marks. I got rejected at several good jobs due to my facial appearance. Finally, I started working and kept my little angel with me. Then there was no looking back for me after that.
Related: Strength is Harnessed Through the Struggle
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Sometimes my daughter would ask why everyone in her school has father, but not her? I was very honest and told her the truth. After a couple of times she stopped asking me. I took guidance on parenting from Google searches. But we all know that there are no set rules for parenting. I worked for a couple of years and then decided to set up something for my angel who is now nine years old. She is my best friend, my dream, my hope, my future, my confidence, my mentor, my struggle, my success and my inspiration. I am thankful for my parents who gave me their life savings to start this venture to make my girl’s life secure after I am gone. I am not sure of my life – I am thirty eight years old and travel back home at 11:00pm or 12:00am after closing my Restaurant…But I ain’t scared of nothing no more.
Today I look towards the future with hope, confidence and positivity because, I have already faced many fears and overcome many hurdles with hard work. Today I stand tall in the crowd, and proudly say, “Yes I am a proud single mother, dear daughter, a good human being and strong woman who lives life on her own terms. Today I am an Entrepreneur.”
Who is your most important role model? My Daughter is my will power….Because I am here on this status on what I am today…..
[box_light]Website www.
Twitter @KamakshiHotel
Facebook www.facebook.com/KamakshiHotels[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange