Redefining Artisan Baking in India
In this month’s story on ‘Shuniya Se Shikar Tak’, meet Suchali Jain, the Baker Entrepreneur behind the beloved artisan bakery chain. Inspired by her experiences in Europe and Florida, she founded Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse, bringing authentic sourdough breads and croissants to India. Her journey is a testament to breaking societal norms and finding fulfilment in unconventional paths.
Brought up in the small town of Ambala, Suchali had always preferred rectangular white or brown bread over chapati. While bread lacked any unique taste or texture, it remained her preferred choice for years. However, this fondness for bread was not accompanied by a desire to bake, as one might assume. As she considered her career options after graduating from Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai, Suchali was inspired to challenge the gender stereotypes prevalent in her hometown of Ambala. She was determined to pursue a path that would break the mould of women being confined to domestic roles and men being the sole providers.
After completing her Bachelor’s in Management Studies, she was determined to find a fulfilling career that would ignite her passion and give her life purpose.
When a love affair with bread turns into purposeful passion
Suchali’s love affair with bread began in 2015 during a trip to Europe, where she discovered the enchanting world of baking. Prior to this, baking had been an unfamiliar concept to her. However, after experiencing the diverse offerings at various European bakeries, she realized that India, with its bread-loving population, deserved to have unique bread options that were not only delicious but also healthier and made with high-quality ingredients.
At the time, she was unfamiliar with basic baking techniques, such as measuring flour, understanding yeast, and the process of breadmaking. But that did not deter her and she followed her intuition, trusting her heart to guide her through the process.
With grand ambitions came the realization that extensive learning was essential. Having no formal culinary education, Suchali decided to pursue apprenticeships. In early 2017, Suchali was accepted as an apprentice by a baker in Florida, USA, marking the beginning of her journey as an ardent baker. With the support of her husband and family, she embarked on this adventure with a one-way ticket, eager to learn everything from scratch. In retrospection, she says this was the best decision she had ever made, although she adds, that learning will never stop.
Perseverance is the backbone of passion
Of course, Suchali was met with several challenges in the initial stage as it is with any new start up. But what she has learnt through it all is that challenges never end. She says, “Be it in whatever phase you are in your journey, there will always be some kind of challenge, big or small, but it is on you on how you handle it and come out as a winner.”
She further says that this journey was not an easy one. Beginning with no prior knowledge, she faced a series of challenges, including scaling up production, establishing effective distribution channels, training her team, expanding operations to new regions of India, and adapting to diverse cultures. Despite the obstacles, the journey has been incredibly rewarding. Suchali Artisan Bakehouse has witnessed a gradual shift in consumer preferences, as more people opt for healthy artisan sourdough bread over traditional store-bought options. These small victories continue to fuel her passion and drive her forward.
Recognition comes only once you’ve achieved a milestone success
According to Suchali you don’t start seeing success until your product or service gains visibility. Until then, it remains largely unknown. Recognition in society is earned through one’s work, the contributions made to the community, and the value addition you make. Her dedication to baking the perfect product using authentic techniques was what set her apart. Additionally, market opportunity played a crucial role in her success. Naturally, as the way of the world is, her current standing within the community with Suchali Artisan Bakehouse is vastly different from her previous perception as “Suchali”.
Seeing success firsthand, Suchali’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs is that, “Always love and believe in what you do, even if it is a small thing. This sometimes could mean going with the flow, because planning everything might not work each time!”
The only way forward is to dream bigger and have higher goals
Even though Suchali Artisan Bakehouse is widely popular in India, Suchali says there is always scope for improvement. One can never have learnt it all. There is so much better we all can do. According to her, she is only taking one step up the ladder each day.
Suchali aspires to make her brand a household name. In ten years, she envisions people choosing healthier, artisanal bread options over regular and unhealthy store-bought varieties which is why at Suchali Artisan Bakehouse, they utilize their social media platforms to educate consumers about the importance of consuming clean foods.
By providing a pure, unadulterated product, she aims to offer a superior option that people can appreciate for its taste and quality.
On a parting note, she lastly adds, “True success is found in the contentment of reflecting on a fulfilling day and feeling grateful for your work. When you can’t wait to start the next day, you’ve achieved something truly meaningful.”
@suchalisartisanbakehouse
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