Sandeep Jogiparti and Kavita Gopu | photo credit: special arrangement
What is that traditional sweet that is loved by all? “The A type of sweet,” Sandeep Jogiparti and Kavita Gopu say in unison. A type of sweet It is not only a favorite sweet of this couple from Hyderabad, but also a medium to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. Unlike regular sweet ventures that offer a wide variety of sweets, startup Laddubox sells only laddoos.
On entering this business in 2019, Sandeep says, “We set out to create a healthier alternative to the globally famous sweet by making it only with jaggery and dates.”
Women making laddoos at a unit in Pocharam Photo courtesy: Ramakrishna ji
From Sunnunda (Urad Dal), Coconut, Multigrain, set up There are a variety of options including ragi (pearl millet), ragi with almonds, flaxseed made with only cashews. Ladoobox Assorted comes in a set of nine (₹250) and 24 laddoos (₹770). It started with 11 varieties A type of sweet and now there are about 18 with each A type of sweet 28 grams weight. Boxes are shipped across India.
A type of sweetThe making unit started in a four room house in Pocharam with a team of three people. While the couple sold these at stalls of IT companies, it helped them understand the market needs before launching the online store in 2020. “The coconut and besan laddoos were created following inquiries from customers. We also mix ingredients like urad dal And ragi To make healthy taste with peanuts and almonds,” says Kavitha, a native of Siddipet.
Laddubox unit in Pocharam | Photo Credit: Ramakrishna ji
Sandeep was 27 when the venture was started. “It was a big risk but only risk pays off. My aim was to become an entrepreneur and I worked towards it with the support of my wife.”
Simple recipes and less ingredients remain theirs to retain the original flavor mantra Even after expansion. The second wave of Covid hit them hard which resulted in fewer orders, but it picked up gradually with Diwali in 2021. Its initial 200 online orders grew to 400 in a month and even 1000 orders during festivals. Sainikpuri in July 2022.
collaboration and more
Sandeep Jogiparthi | Photo Credit: Ramakrishna ji
The 1000 sq ft store is in collaboration with Chakkinalu, another brand known for its sweets and namkeens from Telangana. On the reasons for collaborating, Sandeep says, “This is a big niche for us.” Designed as an experience store for customers to eat at their own pace, the store showcases the company’s plans to create an experiential experience. A type of sweet Cafe in a new location.
Mixed Ladoo in Ladoobox | Photo Credit: Ramakrishna ji
Laddubox has partnered with Feeding India, a subsidiary of Zomato, to provide meals to children from underprivileged backgrounds. As part of the six-month tie-up since January this year, Laddubox is supplying one lakh ragi and peanut laddus to children in Anganwadi centers in Etah and Khushi Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.
Laddubox sources its jaggery from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Kavitha believes that maintaining a uniform taste is a challenge. “Our main ingredient is jaggery whose taste depends on the grade. We are trying to standardize the process so that the taste remains the same no matter what the scale.
Women making laddoos in the laddubox unit. Photo Credit: Ramakrishna ji
Laddubox’s next physical store will be in Kondapur, followed by Nallagandla and Kompally. The couple has decided to go slow due to personal reasons. “We’re also excited about our A type of sweet premix. Customers can add their own binding agents like milk, ghee or oil to prepare A type of sweet at home. even if they don’t want to A type of sweetThey can just eat it in powdered form,” says Kavita.
The couple, a first-generation entrepreneur, has their work cut out with expansion plans, but right now they enjoy little down time to welcome a new member to the family soon.