Canine instinct

It’s not every day that an interviewee greets us by climbing into our lap and licking our face and then settles down for a belly rub. But then, it’s not every day that a pet inspires a unique business idea. When IHM Mumbai graduates Ishmeet Singh Chandiok and wife Nicola rescued their two-month-old pup Harley, he hardly ever sniffed at the packaged dog food they offered him. But when the food production specialists, both of whom consult for airlines, started preparing Harley’s meals at home, he gobbled them up in no time. Enthused, Chandiok got his recipes vetted by his veterinarian and started delivering Doggie Dabbas in 2011 to Mumbai households.

The rising demand for fresh wet dog food and its scant availability in stores led him to start Harley’s Corner in August 2012. “Using human-grade ingredients packaged by retort technology, we brought out two ready-to-eat meals and sauces each. They don’t have preservatives yet last a year without refrigeration,” says the 35-year-old. The 300-gm packs, priced between ₹70 and ₹90, are available at pet stores, vet clinics and some chemist shops. With packs being shipped to prominent cities in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa and a tonne each to South Africa and West Asia, Chandiok expects to break even, operationally, by March 2014. “I want to move my plant from Tamil Nadu to my own set-up in the Panvel-Khopoli belt to save on shipping costs, for which I’ll need about ₹70-80 lakh.” Chandiok plans on starting a line of cat food by January, apart from making therapeutic meals and treats for dogs. With Nicola focusing on creating VFM ready-to-eat meals for humans, the family’s appetite for success continues.