“It’s not just a Gelato, it’s a soulful experience,” say the delighted customers of Crèmeyum Creamery, an artisanal handcrafted Gelato store in Mumbai. Known for its 100 percent natural gelatos, the creamery offers over 33 interesting flavours that have captured the imagination of its patrons. At the helm of affairs is founder, director, and Master Chef Shalini Rattan who is a gifted Gelato maker, trained from the world’s the world’s top ranking Gelato university, Carpigiani Gelato University.

Shalini is the epitome of a passionate woman entrepreneur. Despite the fact that she was a well-established CSR professional who had worked for a number of well-known organizations, she eventually decided to pursue her passion for food. Her journey began with making gelatos for her family, but propelled by her passion and the requisite training Shalini has come a long way from storing ice creams in a little fridge at home to opening her own Gelato store in Mumbai. Since its inception Crèmeyum Cremery has served 24506 scoops of gelatos over 5675 deliveries.

In an interview with the Women Entrepreneur Team, Shalini takes us through her illustrious professional journey. Here are choice excerpts from the conversation.

Give us a brief overview of Crèmeyum Creamery. How did your path to become a Gelatierabegin?

I was always fascinated by the food industry. My dream was to open a restaurant. My journey with Gelatos, in particular, began about ten years ago. I was on a vacation with my husband in Italy and was fascinated with the most amazing gelato stores in every nook and corner of the city. On the encouragement of my husband and guidance of our tour guide, I did a short course in gelato making thinking it would help me make some gelatos for my family.

It all started with me operating out of my little refrigerator in the house. After churning out ice creams from home for almost two years, I decided to take this up professionally as we had reached a point that we had to decline most of the orders due to constraint of space. My husband and my sons had a lot of confidence in my work and were sure that I would make a success of it.

I received formal training in gelato making from the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University, Italy.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table. What motivated you to shift gears from being a CSR expert to venturing into establishing a restaurant that specializes in desserts and ice creams?

Since my father was in the army, we had to move places every two years. Being an ‘army brat’ I got o experience different cultures, traditions, and flavours of various types of foods from across the country. I was one among the first batch of women to be selected for the Indian Air Force, however, owing to regulatory challenges I could not join the India Air Force. I worked in the area of social development for almost 17 years. Having initially worked in a few NGO’s, I moved on towards the other side of the table by becoming a part of Corporate Social Responsibility for some prominent Companies like Axis Bank, Patni Computers and WNS Foundation known companies.

The transition from CSR to a creamery owner was truly motivated by my desire to pursue my passion. My transition from CSR to restaurant owner was not something that happened overnight; it was something I had always wanted to do. Since I got trained in making gelato, I considered starting a gelato store and eventually opening a restaurant at a later point.

What have been some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved through your journey so far? What is your driving leadership mantra?

I believe that everything I have done so far has provided me with some kind of learning, and that learning has led me to where I am today. My prior industry experience guided me through the process of setting up Cremeyum. I have been deeply involved with every intricate detail of Cremeyum Creamery. Right from getting different licences, selection of space, Vendor Partners etc, I have been instrumental in everything and very proud of it.

“Do what you love, love what you do”

W.r.t my leadership style, I dislike being micromanaged, as well as those who micromanage. Everyone, in my opinion, needs to be their own individual while also being dedicated to their work. I treat my colleagues as family because that is how I would like to be treated. One must be given autonomy at work so that they can blossom. My organization is structured in a way that there is a lot of open communication amongst all. There is a common goal towards which everyone strives.

What would you advice young women aspiring to become business leaders and entrepreneurs?

I would advise everyone to follow their passion. Never do something that others are pressurizing you to do. It is not a matter of getting into a job that everyone finds cool; it is a matter of your passion. You must do what your heart says. Follow your dreams; you will never fail to accomplish anything that you are passionate about because your passion will drive you to be the best that you can be in that field. Do what you love, Love what you do!

I was fortunate in terms of the funding needed for my business, but women entrepreneurs who are struggling for funding should know that there are always means and so many people who will willingly help you if you prove your worth. So, at the very least, take yourself to a point where people notice and recognize your work. If I can turn my passion from a small refrigerator at home to a prestigious gelato store, why can’t anyone else? So just go with your gut instinct and follow your passion.

Shalini Rattan, Owner & Director, Cremeyum Creamery

Shalini Rattan is the epitome of a passionate woman entrepreneur. She is a trained gelato maker, and her venture Crèmeyum Creamery makes Premium Italian Gelatos using the finest products sourced globally.