Tripti Bhushan Dhakate, a gold medallist in botany from Pune, was once a professor but has now found remarkable success in mushroom farming, earning lakhs of rupees each month. Her brand, Quality Mushroom, not only offers a variety of mushrooms but also sells vermicompost. Tripti's monthly earnings can reach up to Rs 4 lakh, making her story an inspiration to many.

Background

Tripti Bhushan Dhakate is a gold medalist in botany from Nagpur University, holding an MSc degree in Biotechnology and Botany. She began her career in the education sector, working as a professor at JB College of Science in Wardha and at Dr DY Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute before her marriage. After relocating to Pune with her husband, she embarked on her journey to becoming a successful businesswoman.

Mushroom cultivation 

Tripti began her mushroom cultivation journey in 2018, initially producing just 20 kg of oyster mushrooms. However, selling her product proved to be a challenge, as there was limited demand for mushrooms in Pune's markets. Undeterred, Tripti decided to change her business strategy. She started reaching out to the community, offering samples of her mushrooms and educating people about their benefits.

Promoting the brand

At first, Tripti encountered several challenges. Many people were unfamiliar with mushrooms and were hesitant to purchase them. To overcome this, she took the initiative to promote her product by visiting vegetable markets in areas like Baner and Kothrud every day. She worked hard to educate potential customers about mushrooms and their benefits, helping to spark their interest. Gradually, as more people began to taste the mushrooms, her efforts started to bear fruit, and her business began to thrive.

When Tripti encountered marketing challenges, she turned to social media for help. She began promoting her brand, Quality Mushroom, through various platforms. This strategic move paid off, as the demand for her products steadily grew, leading to an increase in home delivery orders. Social media not only helped Tripti gain publicity for her business but also significantly expanded her customer base.

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Overcoming challenges

The onset of Covid-19 in March 2020 impacted many businesses, but Tripti saw this challenge as an opportunity. She introduced value-added products made from mushrooms, including cookies, khakhra, papad, and biscuits. With people seeking healthier food options during the pandemic, the demand for her innovative products surged. This not only bolstered her business but also significantly increased her income during the difficult times of the pandemic.

Achieving success

As Tripti's products began to gain recognition, she took proactive steps to expand her business further. She started offering training sessions in vermicomposting and mushroom cultivation, sharing her expertise with others. With unwavering support from her husband, Tripti's brand, Quality Mushroom, now produces approximately 50 kg of mushrooms daily. In addition, her value-added products are also sold on a large scale. Today, her monthly income has soared to around Rs 4 lakh, reflecting her hard work and determination.

Also read: This nurse quit her job to start a vermicompost business; makes Rs 24 lakh in a year now