We keep hearing stories about people now and then that have been an inspiration to many. But how many of these stories touch your heart and leave an impact? Very less! The story of Charmi Dave is one such, that’ll make its place deep down in your heart. She has been through thick and thins in her life but she fought and came out of the problems with a positive attitude of never giving up. She is an ambitious woman who fulfilled her dream and her passion for cooking, and hence gave birth to the first outlet of Messy Bowl Maggevala.
Chodo kal ki baatein, Kal ki baat purani
Charmi feels that problems are kind of permanent partners to women who wish to break stereotypes. Something usual happened in her case as well. There were problems within and outside the family. The major issue she faced was her internal disputes with the ex- in-laws. She survived not only an unhealthy marriage but also the unsupportive family environment. But she took a stand for herself and opened her first outlet and has become a bold entrepreneur. The one big step of putting an end to the marriage and leaving the family in order to live with dignity has made her what she is today. Later, as her business started growing, she faced some unexpected external issues. People around her tried their level best to let her down. There were times when their water and drainage connections were restricted and not a single person helped her out. Problems like lack of supplies exist till date. But the only thought that triggered Charmi’s mind was “Hum Honge Kaamiyab!” She believed that every setback has an epic comeback. She stood strong and faced all the obstacles that came in her way. She says- “Today, when I look back, I feel that those obstacles were just a pushing force that helped me in my journey.” Charmi is happily married now and is living her life in the best way possible.
Shubh Aarambh For Messy Bowl
Messy Bowl was established back in the year 2013 with the first branch being inaugurated in Vadodara. It all started when Charmi and her friends were enjoying a piping hot bowl of Maggi outside H.L College in Ahmedabad and discussing their career goals. It was then when the idea of starting a Maggi chain in Vadodara developed and she recognised the benefits of such a business opportunity. Back then, the ‘café’ culture was emerging and the city of Vadodara barely saw any café. Thus, it was the right time for Charmi to set foot in this segment. With zero experience in the food industry, being the first entrepreneur in the family and lack of capital alongside other challenges, she started her first outlet, at the age of 23, with a passion towards cooking and making the people around her happy.
Kahani Messy Bowl Ki
Since the beginning, Charmi was very clear that she wanted to open a Maggi Café. As the first outlet had opened, Charmi hired a professional chef so as to guarantee minimum waiting time and lip smacking flavours. Thus, she started the store by introducing 5 flavours of Maggi -Corn and Carrot Maggi, Lemon Butter Maggi, Paneer and Peas Maggi to name a few, alongside Pastas, Fries and Beverages and also gave a cosy vintage touch to her café’s theme. With time, she kept experimenting with stuff and tried various combinations of spices with Maggi and kept introducing new flavours every year. With 22 franchises now, Messy Bowl is spread around the nation offering 31 types of Maggi, Sizzlers, Pastas, Maggi Toasts, and Pizzas with Maggi base, Shakes, Iced Beverages and some really unique Maggi based dishes.
Messy Bowl’s Smart Strategies
The main motto was to provide the best quality food and keep the rates pocket friendly so that people can afford it and they visit again. The target audience from day one has been the youngsters and it is the same reason why the café was opened at a place like Fatehgunj. In the initial days, they reached out to people through word of mouth. All they did was ask their customers so spread the word among their friends and family, and ask them to do the same. Within no time, Messy Bowl was the talk of the town! Today, the popularity keeps increasing because of social media. The first thing youngsters do when they visit any place is they check in on FB and post pictures of the place and food! Thus, more and more people get to know about it now!
When the business had taken off, the chef associated with the messy bowl helped them create new stuff and taught them a trick to actually make Maggi in 2 minutes! And this is what accounts to the high customer satisfaction all around India.
Managing Messy Bowl Amid The Pandemic
The café was totally shut because of the lockdown. Only one outlet has been reopened after almost 3 months of closure so as to avoid any uncertainties. There are people who crave for food outside but at the same time, they fear hygiene and other health related restrictions. Charmi’s society being sealed due to safety reasons, she still monitors the café’s sitting at home with the help of the cameras installed. They have ensured all the safety and health measures and abide by the rules. She says that the importance of family is now being understood by not only her but everyone as this is the one time when we’ve got the opportunity to stay with each other 24×7.
Messy Bowl @ Nestle Maggi Kitchen Journeys
Messy Bowl took a flight when Charmi was invited by ZeeTV on their show “Nestle Maggi Kitchen Journeys with Renuka Shahane”. She was among the lucky 12 women who were picked up from all over the country. Charmi was excited but also nervous because she was going to step into a total new world-the entertainment industry. She had to start preparing herself for the show a month prior to the shoot and as per instructions. 6 years of hard work behind Messy Bowl wasn’t just enough! Neither did she have any control over her emotions as she had no idea whether to feel lucky, fascinated, tensed or nervous. She went through a wave of emotions at the same time! But all’s well that ends well. She says that she will always be grateful to the channel and the producers of the show who recognised her work and gave her this opportunity.
Chak De!
Charmi’s message to the audience is simple-
“The basic mantra of my success has been much sorted.
A-B-C-D, meaning Asking… Believing… Consistency… Dedication… If all of the above fall in place correctly, you will be unstoppable. You may fail initially, but failure is part of success… Failure is the best teacher…”
With the vision to make Messy Bowl a well-known and industry pioneering brand, Charmi’s focus is on providing strategic directions to the franchise partners and building a sustainable business. Under Charmi’s leadership and guidance, Messy Bowl has become a national brand. She has been felicitated by a various organisations and associations like Kitchen Idol by ZeeTv and Living Foods in 2017, Planet’s Pride Award by Women Planet Foundation in 2018 (Hall of Fame of most influential Women Entrepreneur), “Women Entrepreneur Award” by Sayaji StartUp Summit in 2018 and The 9th Annual Small Business award 2020” by Franchise India in category of Best Food & Beverages Business of the year.
We hope that Charmi & her business keep blooming and may she keep achieving more and more in her life!
Prinkit.in’s team in conversation with Charmi Dave- the founder of Messy bowl.
Congratulations. Beautiful write-up Vaishnavi. Quite a lot improvement in writing and again simple and understandable language. Kudos to you and keep on writing to the fullest extent and satisfaction.
Wonderfully written keep it up
Its pretty interesting to see food lovers covering food lovers story. Just like the journey of Charmi Dave and her Messy Bowl, the blog grasps attention. I didn’t know about Messy bowl but now I do. ❤️ Good content.
Its pretty interesting to see food lovers covering food lovers story. Just like the journey of Charmi Dave and her Messy Bowl, the blog grasps attention. I didn’t know about Messy bowl but now I do. Good content. ❤️
Really after reading your writeup I feel like going to Messy Bowls and have mouthwatering Maggie flavours. Superb. Well done.
Really after reading your writeup i feel like going there and have mouthwatering Maggie flavours. Nicely written.
Nicely worded. Write with your heart, it will do wonders.
Its interesting to see a food lover covering a food lover’s journey. The journey of Charmi Dave and her Messy Bowl is pretty inspiring. Good content ❤️
Very aptly written Vaishnavi. Eager to read more of your wonderful work.✨
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