19 MARCH2023Being an entrepreneur had always been a dream, but there was uncertainty about 'how and where to begin'. I began my career by working with various startups and developmental organizations. My entrepreneurial journey began in 2019 when I moved to Bangalore and launched 'Oyster Bar & Kitchen'. Despite having no educational or familial hospitality background, Bengaluru's incredible pub culture inspired me to consider starting a business in the F&B sector. Initially, efforts were concentrated on speaking with industry experts in order to gain a better understanding of the market landscape and restaurant management techniques. It took a lot of effort to get everything in place in order to start the business, the licenses, the permissions and so on. And every effort was made to establish and sustain overtime, Oyster aided my growth as an entrepreneur.Oyster is Bangalore's only bar that welcomes customers with pets on all days and at all times. Customers are welcome to bring their pets into Oyster Bar & Kitchen and enjoy the restaurant with their friends, family, and their furry friends. While some establishments in Bangalore do allow pets, they do so only on certain days of the week and for a restricted time period. Hence, Oyster Bar & Kitchen becomes the go-to choice of pet owners, as they feel we are pet friendly in the true sense. Additionally, we have a pet menu, specifically curated for pets, which really attracts pet owners.The F&B industry is considered a tough nut to crack. Enumerate the challenges that you had to face as a new restaurateur who was building a place from scratch.Being an entrepreneur was always an aspiration, but there was a lack of clarity as to 'how and where to begin'. I started off by working with startups, with the desire to learn more. My entrepreneurial journey began in 2018 when I moved to Bangalore and subsequently launched 'Oyster Bar & Kitchen'. Although I had no hospitality background (educational or familial), Bengaluru's astounding pub culture inspired me to consider establishing a business in the F&B space. Initially, the efforts were more focused on speaking with industry experts to understand the market landscape and the methods of restaurant management. Since Oyster is a bar and we serve liquor, a lot of legwork was required in acquiring the necessary licenses.Every little effort that was given to establish and sustain Oyster helped me grow as an entrepreneur over time. The journey has definitely not been smooth. The biggest challenge was setting up a business in a place where you do not belong. From encountering gender discrimination to geographical restrictions to the world coming to a standstill during the pandemic, the journey in the F&B industry has been full of challenges and learning. However, it's all worthwhile when you realize you are providing employment to so many people. As an entrepreneur, I feel liberated to work and
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