The first step is always important.
The first step is always important.
Harak Jayesh Soni is the director of a company named Navalprabha Foods Pvt. Ltd. It deals with the manufacturing and processing of food products. His company manufactures instant food products like mixes, premix powder, gulab jamun powder and savouries. His father started this company in 1988.
Harak’s parents started their company as a cottage industry, working right from their home. Gradually, they got the opportunity to be associated with the big companies in the market. Then he started focusing on helping the companies that were trying to build their brands.Harak always focused on three things - Consistency in product quality, Affordable prices, and Timely delivery. Harak’s company also helps and mentors budding entrepreneurs.
Remembering his childhood, Harak says he and his siblings used to get the opportunity to visit the factory only during their summer vacations. But he grew up enjoying the food products manufactured at his factory. Since his childhood, he has been visiting different parts of the country with his marketing and sales team. He has experienced almost every type of street food from different places in the country.
Harak completed his higher education at the Central Food Technological Research Institute. He also went to different cities to get a rich experience of the market and business.
When asked about the inspiration behind the idea of their business, Harak says he and his family seek inspiration from his grandfather. His family has been following his grandfather’s legacy of manufacturing healthy food products. At his company, they make sure that if the food is healthy for the youngest child of the family, then only it will come on the market; otherwise, it will be rejected in the quality check.
Harak’s life mantra is to wake up early and follow a healthy morning routine by doing yoga, drinking amla juice, and spending time with himself and his family.
When asked about his role models, Harak says he considers his grandfather as his role model. He says his grandfather built everything from scratch, all because of his efforts. He also looks up to the inspirational journey of Barack Obama.
Harak’s favorite quotes are -”Hum chalte gaye aur karvaan banta gaya.” which means We went on, and the caravan went on," and “The first step is always important.”
According to Harak, experience is more important than education. While graduating from a premier institution might give someone a head start in the corporate world, they still need to prove themselves with practical experience. Harak cites his father's example of being an eighth-grade graduate but still being able to train students from prestigious institutions due to his extensive experience.
Speaking about his achievements, Harak says he believes that achievement is a continuous process and is proud of the success his company has achieved over the years. In the 1990s, his company's products were being supplied to Rashtrapati Bhawan, which he considered a huge accomplishment. However, working with ISRO on a project to produce Indian snacks for space visitors was even more significant. To add to this, Harak's company has recently started supplying their products to the Prime Minister's Office. Besides these business achievements, Harak is also proud of the impact his company has had on changing the lives of their employees and their families through various programs, including adult literacy and ending social evils like domestic violence and illiteracy.
Harak advises the young Indians that they must gain experience first and then get into entrepreneurship. He also offers his hand to help the youth who want any kind of guidance to establish their businesses.
Harak’s advice to the young entrepreneurs is to first understand the need for their products and services and analyze how their products are going to change people's lives.