Frost
Inspiration
“It’s the gelatos,” declares Murali. “We lived in the U.S. for five years and were blown away by the flavours,” he says. He and Sangeetha learnt the basics of gelato making there and then moved to Coimbatore where they started their business. “We're not in competition with industrial ice creams. We wanted to offer something unique. Gelatos have a dense texture and there is no limit to the flavours which you can add. It’s a slow churning process. As the air content is less, you enjoy the flavours better.
Going natural
“We have two children and we wanted to make something that is healthy,” he says. In came turmeric, beetroot and spinach for the colours and out went artificial and synthetic flavours. We tried out-of-the box combinations like ginger-beetroot and rose petals made with rose petals and milk and infused with colour from the beetroot). We also offer Vanilla choco fudge and Belgian dark chocolate.
USP
A custom-design gelato machine imported from Europe churns out the ice cream. “How you control churning is the key,” explains Murali. Pasteurisation is unique too. In commercial operations, there is a time delay between pasteurisation and cooling (usually done overnight) which can sometimes lead to contamination of milk. “We cool the pasteurised milk immediately (from 85 degrees to minus 8 or 7 degrees) And, there is no human touch involved which ensures that hygiene is guaranteed.”
Business model
Social media is their primary platform to reach the people. “We have access to a big chunk of people in the city. We put out or details online and friends in turn repost and share the details. When you have something that is niche, the response is phenomenal. And, you make good friends. Through FB, I learnt about a person in Coonoor who grows strawberries using hydroponics. I buy them from him now.” We make it a point to participate in local events to spread the word.
Right now, we offer home deliveries on Saturdays (free) for minimum orders of one litre. Orders have to be placed by Wednesday to ensure that we make it fresh.
Upcoming
Ice cream made with super foods like green tea, turmeric and papaya and moringa leaves. A flagship outlet. And, reaching out through franchises in Chennai and Bangaluru.
Location: Velakinar
Contact: 88255-68691, 81109-33244/ frost@edengofresh.com
Follow : Frost Natural page on Facebook or visit www.edengofresh.com
The Upper Room store
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017: Sharon Isaiah at her store The Upper Room in Coimbatore. Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
Colourful cushions, crochet coasters, flowers made from corn husk and glass bottles decorated in Orissa tribal art fill The Upper Room store. “Colours and patterns make me happy,” says Sharon Isaiah, who runs the home décor store.
Inspiration
A freelance textile designer, Sharon wanted to set up a personalised space to sell home textiles. “I like to personally connect with people, understand their design ideas and then guide them accordingly,” she says. "There are big brands that offer a varied range but I work around the colours, mix and match to make unique patterns, and make them affordable. I want it to be a happy and bright space for customers."
USP
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017: Sharon Isaiah at her store The Upper Room in Coimbatore. Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
Every item is handpicked. A lot of her wares are hand-craftedby women entrepreneurs such as the bags, wallets, and doodle pads that are sourced from A Sunny Disposition, based out of Bangalore. “Nothing is factory-made. I pick people who pay attention to every single item they make,” she says.
There are coasters made by women prisoners using up recycled newspapers and fabrics. There are hand-made votive holders in coloured yarn for lamps that have LED lights. And, quirky lanterns as well. The home linen range has table cloths, cushion covers, rugs, bed sheets and kitchen towels. You will also find Pochampalli bed spreads and Kalamkaari rugs. What Sharon wants is to make the shop 100 per cent handlooms. Plastics are avoided in any form.
Business model
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017: Sharon Isaiah at her store The Upper Room in Coimbatore. Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
To build curiosity, you need to have a presence on the social media. It has earned me a foothold in a new city. People do shop on my Facebook page and I have customers from across India.The FB page and Instagram gives instant visibility. “It becomes easy to follow up. I also make it a point to participate in local exhibitions.
Upcoming
Personalised gifts, Panipat rugs, and hand-pick handicrafts from around the country
Location: New Damu Nagar, Papanaickenpalayam
Contact: 98409-96122 or Sharon.isaiah@thehupperroom.in
Follow: theupperroomhomedecor on FB and theupperroom_homedecor on Insta
Trail
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017: A range of hand blended aroma creams, lip balms and massage candles at Trail store in Coimbatore Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
I rub the aromatic oil on my palm, then apply on to my hair. It is fragrant and uplifting. “It’s a hair perfume, one of my top selling products. It also works as hair serum,” says Tasneem Arif of Trail range of aroma creams, lip balms, and massage creams.
It’s her sensitive skin that led her to start Trail. “Most cosmetics have chemicals in them and it leads to a lot of skin-related problems. That’s why I wanted to go completely natural. I started making them myself”.
Inspiration
After a short course to learn the basics, she began with making massage creams, deos and lip balms. “I have 13 fragrances that include English and Arabian fragrances. They are made with natural oils and butters. Mixing them in right proportions is the key.” The deos come in aromas like blue sea, rose, French jasmine, lavender, agar oil and musk.
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017:
Tasneem Arif, founder of Trail range of hand blended skincare products in Coimbatore
Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
USP
No chemicals are used. All the products are alcohol-free. The Massage candles is a signature product. “There is no wax in it. You just have to light the wick, allow the oils to melt. Scoop it up when it is warm and then apply. ” It works wonders for cracked heels and rough cuticles.
Business model
FOR COIMBATORE 08/11/2017: Tasneem Arif, founder of Trail range of hand blended skincare products in Coimbatore Photo:S. SIVA SARAVANAN
I use whatsapp and upload photos on Facebook and the response has been amazing. People are connected on the social media 24/7 and it helps start-ups to reach out this way. It generates discussion and awareness and now, I have people from cities outside Coimbatore ordering from me.
Upcoming
Á flagship store and increased presence online
Location: Krishna Colony
Contact: 94433-35895/ 94435-78098
Follow: Tasneemarif on Facebook
