Jyoti Srivastava

Jyoti Srivastava, a chemical engineer from Meerut, India, took a bold step in 2022 by quitting her job to start a baby food business called Little Cherry Mom. Jyoti’s journey began when she had her first child and faced challenges with breastfeeding and providing healthy solid food options. She found that locally grown millet-based foods, like sprouted flour and instant dosa mixes, were highly nutritious and beneficial for her child’s development. Jyoti’s research showed that millets could contribute to overcoming malnutrition and boost a child’s growth by 50%. She also discovered that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, especially the period between 6-24 months, from the critical window for growth and development. Complementary feeding during this period is essential to ensure that children receive essential micronutrients and avoid physical and brain growth faltering, micronutrient deficiency, malnutrition, and infectious diseases. Jyoti and her husband, Gaurav Goel, an MBA graduate, launched Little Cherry Mom to provide healthy, locally grown millet-based snacks and foods for children. Their products include millet flours, instant dosa mixes, sugar and jaggery-free laddus, khakhras, A2 Bilona cow ghee, and amla prash, an immunity booster made from Indian gooseberry. Although Jyoti faced challenges in transitioning from her job to her entrepreneurial venture, her hard work and dedication paid off. She has been able to cater to more than 12,000 customers and generate nearly Rs 1 crore of revenue since launching the business. Her products are well-researched, and the company uses sprouted ragi to ensure the highest protein content and digestibility. The milk mix is a blend of spices mixed in a particular percentage to solve respiratory issues and boost immunity. Jyoti’s journey was not easy, and she faced criticism from relatives who mocked her career choice and parenting style. However, her persistence and dedication have paid off, and her business has been recognized by the state government. Jyoti’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work and how taking bold steps toward one’s goals can lead to success. #LittleCherryMom