Biography of Simran Bapu: Founder and CEO of Paleoo Bakes -Entrepreneur
Biography of Simran Bapu:
Introduction: A Mother-Daughter Duo's Dream
In 2019, Simran Bapu, a certified nutritionist, and her
mother Tina Bapu, a passionate baker, came together with a common goal: to
revolutionize the dessert industry. They founded Paleoo Bakes during the
COVID-19 pandemic to offer people a way to indulge in sweet treats without
guilt. What made Paleoo Bakes stand out was its focus on health — all the cakes
and treats were gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free, perfect for those with
dietary intolerances or diabetes.
The Birth of Paleoo Bakes
Simran, with her expertise in clinical nutrition, carefully
researched healthy ingredients while ensuring that the recipes would taste just
as good as traditional desserts. Tina, the baker, experimented tirelessly,
facing many failures before finally crafting cakes that met both health and
taste requirements. It took months of trial and error, but eventually, they
succeeded, and Paleoo Bakes was born. The brand started in their home kitchen,
making small batches of cakes for friends and family.
A Growing Success in the Health-Conscious Market
Initially, Paleoo Bakes catered to a niche market. However,
with growing awareness about diabetes, gluten intolerance, and the need for
healthier dessert options, their offerings started gaining popularity. They
soon realized the demand for guilt-free desserts was much larger than they had
expected. Paleoo Bakes began to expand its operations, turning their home
kitchen into a fully functioning cloud kitchen and hiring a larger team to keep
up with demand.
Impressive Growth Year-on-Year
The financial success of Paleoo Bakes has been impressive.
In their first year, they made ₹9 lakh in revenue, which grew to ₹33 lakh in
the second year, and ₹95 lakh in the third year. By FY24-25, Paleoo Bakes had
already crossed ₹1.57 crore in revenue by October. This kind of growth was
fueled by word-of-mouth marketing, their social media presence, and a strong
customer base that appreciated their healthier dessert options.
Celebrity Endorsement and Popularity
Paleoo Bakes’ reputation grew even further when Bollywood
celebrities like Badshah and Shilpa Shetty publicly endorsed their brand.
During an episode of The Kapil Sharma Show, both celebrities gave a shoutout to
the brand, which resulted in a surge of orders. With such high-profile
endorsements, Paleoo Bakes solidified its place in the growing health-conscious
dessert market.
Diversified Sales Channels
The company generates most of its sales through its
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model, which accounts for 55% of its revenue. Another
31% comes from food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy, and 14% comes
from Business-to-Business (B2B) sales to cafés and restaurants. This diverse
sales distribution strategy has allowed Paleoo Bakes to reach a wide range of
customers and expand its market footprint.
Entering Shark Tank India
Paleoo Bakes made its big pitch on Shark Tank India Season
4, asking for ₹1 crore for 6.5% equity, valuing their startup at ₹15.38 crore.
The company had a 40% profit margin, which impressed the sharks. Despite the
premium pricing (cakes starting at ₹1,350), the brand had managed to build a
loyal customer base through its niche, health-conscious approach.
Challenges and Concerns from the Sharks
Though the sharks were impressed with the concept, they did
have concerns. Sharks Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar felt that the healthy
dessert market might be too niche to scale. They questioned whether Paleoo
Bakes could expand beyond Mumbai and maintain its quality. Meanwhile, the other
sharks, Piyush Bansal, Vinita Singh, and Anupam Mittal, were also skeptical
about the pricing, seeing it as a barrier to mass adoption.
Negotiations and Offers
As the pitch continued, the sharks proposed an offer: ₹1
crore for 10% equity and a 1% royalty on sales. However, Piyush Bansal, after
some negotiation, removed the royalty and eventually withdrew from the deal
entirely. Vinita Singh and Anupam Mittal then stepped in with an adjusted offer
of ₹1 crore for 9% equity, which the founders of Paleoo Bakes ultimately
accepted.
A Strategic Partnership
The investment deal was a strategic partnership for Paleoo
Bakes. With the support of seasoned entrepreneurs like Vinita and Anupam, the
brand could scale its operations more effectively. Despite the pressure of
making a decision on the spot, the founders were confident that the sharks'
expertise would help them grow the business in a sustainable manner.
Building the Brand's Legacy
Paleoo Bakes was built on a strong foundation of health and
taste. What set the brand apart from others in the market was its commitment to
using only the healthiest ingredients while ensuring the final product tasted
delicious. This unique approach resonated with health-conscious consumers who
often struggled to find tasty desserts that didn’t compromise their well-being.
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Facing Competition in the Healthy Dessert Market
As more dessert brands began offering "healthy"
alternatives, Paleoo Bakes realized the need to stay ahead of the competition.
While there were many others offering sugar-free or gluten-free options, Paleoo
Bakes set itself apart by focusing on both nutritional value and flavor. The
challenge for the brand was to maintain its uniqueness while expanding its
offerings to appeal to a wider audience.
Paleoo Bakes’ Future Plans
The founders have big plans for the future. Paleoo Bakes
intends to expand its reach by opening more cloud kitchens in other locations,
both within Mumbai and in other cities. The brand is also looking to venture
into quick commerce to cater to a growing demand for on-the-go healthy treats.
With the investment from the sharks, they are confident about scaling up and
increasing their market share.
The Importance of Social Media
Paleoo Bakes has built a strong presence on social media,
with around 20,000 organic followers on Instagram. A significant portion of
their orders comes through direct messages on WhatsApp, which highlights the
personal connection they’ve built with their customer base. Social media has
played a pivotal role in creating a loyal following and spreading awareness
about their healthier dessert options.
The Role of Marketing in Growth
To support their rapid growth, Paleoo Bakes spends ₹1 lakh
per month on marketing. This investment in brand awareness has helped them
reach a broader audience and establish a loyal customer base. The company
understands the importance of digital marketing and continues to invest in
campaigns that resonate with their target audience, particularly
health-conscious dessert lovers.
A Healthier Future for Desserts
Paleoo Bakes is redefining the way people think about
desserts. By focusing on health-conscious recipes without compromising on
taste, the brand is leading a movement to make sweet treats accessible to
everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. With continued growth and support
from their investors, Paleoo Bakes is well on its way to becoming a household
name in the world of healthier indulgence.
Timeline for story
2019 - Simran and Tina Bapu founded Paleoo Bakes to create
healthy desserts.
2020 - Paleoo Bakes started in their home kitchen during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 - Revenue reached ₹9 lakh in the first year.
2022 - Revenue grew to ₹33 lakh in the second year.
2023 - Revenue increased to ₹95 lakh in the third year.
Oct 2024 - Paleoo Bakes surpassed ₹1.57 crore in revenue.
2024 - Paleoo Bakes appeared on Shark Tank India, seeking ₹1
crore for 6.5% equity.
2024 - Secured investment deal with Vinita Singh and Anupam
Mittal for ₹1 crore for 9% equity.
2024 - Paleoo Bakes plans expansion through cloud kitchens
and quick commerce.
