For a small-town girl, competing with big business brands might seem like a distant dream, but Shilpa Bhatt Bahuguna from Dehradun turned it into a reality. In 2016, she launched her pizza brand, Pizza Italia, which now stands strong alongside large international competitors. With numerous global pizza chains already in the market, making her mark was no easy feat. However, Shilpa built a successful brand from the ground up. Today, she operates five outlets and employs 48 people. Let's dive into the inspiring success story of Shilpa Bhatt Bahuguna.

Background

After graduating in Journalism from Indraprastha College, Delhi, Shilpa worked for major news channels for three years. However, her passion lay in doing something different. During this time, she realised that her full potential wasn't being utilised in journalism.

In 2016, Shilpa Bhatt Bahuguna laid the foundation of Pizza Italia in Dehradun. She faced numerous challenges, particularly in finance and marketing, as she aimed to carve out a space for her brand amidst established international competitors. Despite these obstacles, Shilpa persevered and ultimately achieved her dream.

Chasing dreams

Family support played a crucial role in helping Shilpa achieve her dreams. Her parents stood by her at every step, her father guided her through the intricacies of business, while her mother offered constant encouragement during tough times. One of Shilpa's biggest challenges was reaching customers with her brand. To overcome this, she turned to digital marketing. In 2023, she completed a digital marketing course at IIT Roorkee and began promoting her brand on social media. This strategy proved to be a game-changer, significantly boosting her business.

Receiving recognition

Shilpa now aims to expand her brand not just within Uttarakhand but also internationally. She is determined to open more outlets across the state to create more employment opportunities for the local community. In recognition of her achievements, Shilpa has been honoured by the Uttarakhand government and has received several prestigious awards, including the esteemed 'Uttarakhand Shri' honour.