Walmart Worker's 'Magic' Facet Hustle Surpasses $1 Million

[ad_1] This Facet Hustle Highlight Q&A options 35-year-old New York Metropolis-based entrepreneur Mehek Khera. Khera is the founder and CEO of Niramaya Meals, a snack model "rooted in wellness and impressed by Indian heritage."

On the age of 24, Khera left New Delhi, India and immigrated to the U.S., the place she landed a job at Walmart. Then burnout and well being points motivated her to start out a health-forward facet hustle.

Niramaya is hitting $1 million in income for the primary time in 2025. Learn the way Khera remodeled Niramaya into the profitable enterprise behind Naan pretzels and dips, right here. Responses have been edited for size and readability.

Picture Credit score: Niramaya Meals. Mehek Khera.

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What was your day job or major occupation whenever you began your facet hustle?I used to be working in retail at Walmart ecommerce, managing the class and provide chain for magnificence and attire. It was fast-paced, high-pressure and fulfilling in some ways — however over time, the lengthy hours, lack of actual meals and stress started to take a toll on my physique and thoughts.

Associated: This 26-12 months-Previous's Facet Hustle Turned Full-Time Enterprise Led to $100,000 in 2.5 Months and Is On Observe for $2.5 Million in 2025

When did you begin your facet hustle, and the place did you discover the inspiration for it?Niramaya started to kind in 2020, throughout a season of burnout and well being struggles. I used to be coping with power, undiagnosed autoimmune situations and could not discover solutions. I left my job and turned to diet faculty — and thru that, rediscovered the therapeutic energy of the meals I grew up with: vibrant dals, practical spices, sabzis constructed from contemporary greens. I noticed these recipes, handed down by way of generations, had been medication in themselves, and but, I could not discover them on any shelf in a method that felt clear, handy or fashionable. That hole between tradition and comfort, custom and right this moment, turned the muse for Niramaya.

What had been a few of the first steps you took to get your facet hustle off the bottom? How a lot cash/funding did it take to launch?I began in my kitchen, enjoying with recipes, taking suggestions critically and testing early variations at native markets. I knew I could not do that casually, so I saved up about $50,000 over two years to afford the minimal order portions for our first co-manufacturer. I researched tirelessly, made lots of of cellphone calls and ultimately discovered a associate that aligned with our mission. We developed early packaging, launched a small web site and put actual merchandise into folks's arms. That is when the magic began.

Associated: This 29-12 months-Previous's Facet Hustle Introduced Individuals 'to the Darkish Inexperienced Facet.' It Made $10,000 Inside 2 Days and Sees 6 Figures a Month.

Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Niramaya Meals

Are there any free or paid sources that had been particularly useful?Founder networks like Startup CPG, Naturally Community and SKU Accelerator made a world of distinction. Slack teams for CPG founders had been quick, brutally sincere and extremely supportive. On the instruments facet: Notion for monitoring the whole lot, Canva for design, QuickBooks for funds. However probably the most invaluable useful resource by far? Speaking to shoppers face-to-face throughout demos. No software program can exchange that.

In the event you may return and alter one course of or strategy, what would it not be?I would not change the trail — each problem taught me one thing I wanted. However I'd higher put together for the sheer useful resource drain. Price range twice the cash and provides your self twice the time. Every thing takes longer and prices greater than you suppose — and that is not a flaw: It is simply the character of the sport.

Associated: They Began a Facet Hustle Producing an 'Apparent' Meals Merchandise. It Hit $300,000 Month-to-month Income Quick — On Observe for Over $20 Million in 2025.

What's one thing about this facet hustle turned enterprise that stunned or challenged you probably the most?How capital-intensive retail actually is. Getting onto cabinets is simply the beginning — then comes the true work of driving velocity, educating the consumer and staying top-of-mind. One other problem was re-educating folks about Indian meals. So many assume it is simply "heavy curry." However our delicacies is a lot extra: vibrant, clear, gut-friendly, plant-forward. Translating that reality by way of packaging, product and language has been each a problem and a privilege.

Are you able to recall a particular second when one thing went unsuitable — how did you deal with it?At one in all our early retail companions, our dips had been priced too excessive and positioned on the very high shelf — virtually invisible to the buyer. Slightly than panic, I calmly reached out to the customer with gross sales information and shelf psychology insights and provided to assist with demos and social posts if they'd contemplate revisiting worth and placement. They agreed. That second jogged my memory that being proactive, respectful and solutions-oriented goes a great distance in retail.

Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Niramaya Meals

How lengthy did it take to see constant income?We began seeing regular traction round 9 months in. We started with smaller independents, just a few regional shops and a variety of in-person occasions. It was grassroots, however it taught me the best way to pay attention, adapt and scale responsibly.

What does progress and income appear like right this moment?In the present day, Niramaya is offered in over 1,200 retail doorways throughout the nation, together with Sprouts, Albertsons and a powerful base of New York Metropolis independents. This will likely be our first 12 months in seven figures. We're launching new SKUs and doubling down on retailers who consider in what we're constructing.

What do you take pleasure in most about working this enterprise?The deep inventive satisfaction of constructing one thing that feels true and seeing it contact folks. When somebody says, "I've by no means tasted something so clear and daring directly," I do know we're doing one thing significant. We're not simply promoting meals: We're shifting the notion of Indian flavors and bringing extra folks into the fold.

Associated: Uninterested in 'Culturally Obtuse' Merchandise, This 27-12 months-Previous Took His Facet Hustle From $1,000 a Month to 7-Determine Income: 'Decide the Proper Alternative to Pursue'

What's your finest piece of particular, actionable enterprise recommendation? Begin earlier than you are feeling "prepared." However do not construct in a bubble. Get suggestions always, particularly out of your prospects. Keep lean. Construct belief together with your companions. Do not be afraid to ask dumb questions. And keep in mind — relationships will carry you farther than any advertising marketing campaign. Be beneficiant, be sincere and comply with by way of.

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This Facet Hustle Highlight Q&A options 35-year-old New York Metropolis-based entrepreneur Mehek Khera. Khera is the founder and CEO of Niramaya Meals, a snack model "rooted in wellness and impressed by Indian heritage."

On the age of 24, Khera left New Delhi, India and immigrated to the U.S., the place she landed a job at Walmart. Then burnout and well being points motivated her to start out a health-forward facet hustle.

Niramaya is hitting $1 million in income for the primary time in 2025. Learn the way Khera remodeled Niramaya into the profitable enterprise behind Naan pretzels and dips, right here. Responses have been edited for size and readability.