A Proud Mother and Hotelier: Inspiring Journey of Sneha Gupta

"Being a mother and working are not contradictory; they are complementary. Each role enhances and enriches the other” said the hotelier Sneha Gupta. She is an inspiration to all the working women, the way she balances both her hotel and her family is an incredible example to all the women around the world. 

Sneha Gupta hails from a small town Halisahar, 40 Km away from Kolkata. Growing up surrounded by the Ganga River and close-knit Bengali communities has shaped her. She is dedicated to giving her children good values and at the same time she also works towards her Hotel Ananda.

She thought about the idea when the pandemic hit. The pandemic highlighted the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, and cloud kitchens emerged as a resilient and efficient way to meet the growing demand for food delivery. This blend of innovation, efficiency, and adaptability initially drew her to the cloud kitchen concept, and she is excited about the opportunities it presents in the food industry.  This article tells her story, her challenges, and her achievements.

Introduction:

She is married to a hotelier, and they live in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand with two children—a five-year-old daughter and a nine-month-old son. Together they are running Hotel Ananda which is renowned for its fine dining restaurant and exceptional rooms. Recently, Hotel Ananda has expanded to cloud kitchen concept with three additional outlets, i.e Ananda’s Yumsum, Monkey Bowl and Shikari, The Biryani factory that caters different field. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of cloud kitchens caught her attention. The flexibility, lower overhead costs, and technology-driven operations of cloud kitchens offered a promising solution to the challenges faced by traditional restaurants. Sneha is also from business background , she has grown up seeing her father hard work towards business and her passion for busniess generated from there  and that combined with insights from her husband's experience in the hospitality industry, inspired her to explore this innovative model further. 

Originally, she was a science student and completed her B.Sc. in Zoology with honors. However, as the eldest daughter in her family, She faced societal pressures related to marriage and therefore she had to explore her career options early and find a balance, After that she switched to pursuing an MBA. After getting married, her fascination with hospitality and the hotel business began. As she ventured into the field of hotel business, she realized it offered the perfect blend of her passion for creating meaningful connections and her innate desire to provide exceptional service. She saw it as an opportunity to combine the warmth of her small-town upbringing with the professionalism and innovation required in the dynamic world of hospitality.

Challenges and Achievements:

Sneha Gupta is a mother of two wonderful children and a businesswoman running four outlets with her husband, she has faced several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles has been managing a business from a small location, which impacts efficiency and scalability. The high competition in the hospitality industry demands continuous innovation and exceptional service to stand out. Additionally, the hotel industry operates 24/7, requiring constant attention and presence, making it difficult to balance professional and personal responsibilities. As a homemaker and mother, she often feels guilty about whether she is giving 100% to her children, instilling the right values, and ensuring their well-being. Leaving them alone at home occasionally adds to her concerns and guilt. Balancing these roles requires meticulous time management and energy, and it's a continuous effort to ensure that both family and business thrive.

She said that her most important achievement is being a mother of two beautiful babies. Sneha and her husband run Hotel Ananda, renowned for its fine dining restaurant and exceptional rooms. They have recently expanded to three additional outlets, each in a different field, making a total of four outlets that they manage together. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is also a dedicated homemaker in a joint family. She also receives an Academic Excellence Award in B.Sc Zoology Hons.

Personal Insights:

Upon talking about her work-life balance, she said that balancing a career and personal life as a mother of two children can be particularly challenging, but it's achievable with thoughtful planning and prioritization.My husband is also a great strength and my biggest supporter in this path. It's very necessary to have a good bond with your family, friends, or support groups for assistance with childcare or emotional support. Having a strong support network can ease the pressure of managing both career and family responsibilities. Another important thing is to learn to delegate or say no to tasks that are less essential to maintain focus on what truly matters.

As a hotelier, wife, and mother, there are several core values and principles that guide her in balancing these roles effectively. She believes in providing exceptional service not only to hotel guests but also to her family. This involves attentiveness, empathy, and a commitment to making others feel welcome and valued. Family is her top priority. She strives to create a nurturing and supportive environment for her spouse and children, ensuring they feel loved, respected, and cared for despite the demands of her career. Balancing the demands of work and family requires careful prioritization. She prioritizes quality time with her family while also dedicating focused attention and effort to her professional responsibilities. The hospitality industry and family life can be unpredictable. Sneha cultivates adaptability and resilience to navigate challenges, embrace change, and find solutions effectively.

Impact and Vision;

Sneha Gupta is a leader, she believes in leading by example and being actively involved in the operations. She supports her team by providing guidance, training, and resources. Her leadership style as a hotelier is characterized by a commitment to guest satisfaction, operational excellence, ethical conduct, and fostering a supportive and innovative environment for her team.

Currently, she is focusing on several exciting initiatives. Firstly, they are renovating the hotel to reflect the latest in design and ambiance, ensuring a modern and inviting atmosphere for the guests. Simultaneously, they are ramping up brand awareness efforts across the four outlets, engaging with the community in Bokaro to expand their reach and presence. Additionally, they are dedicated to setting the food apart by offering unique flavors and experiences that stand out in a competitive market. These projects are all aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and solidifying Hotel Ananda's position in the hospitality and dining sectors.

As a mother and hotelier, her future goals and aspirations intertwine with her passion for nurturing both family and business. She envisions creating a thriving hotel that stands out for its innovative technology, exceptional service, and unique culinary experiences, all while ensuring it becomes a cherished legacy for her children. She aims to balance the demands of motherhood with her entrepreneurial ambitions, fostering an environment where her family feels loved and supported, and where her hotel becomes a beacon of excellence and comfort for guests. By merging these roles, she aspires to build a future that celebrates both personal fulfillment and professional success.

Conclusion:

She advises young women that, cloud kitchens rely heavily on technology for order management, kitchen operations, and customer engagement. Start by gaining a solid understanding of the cloud kitchen model, its operations, and the broader food and beverage industry. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within this sector. Cultivate skills that are essential in the cloud kitchen environment, such as operations management, culinary knowledge, digital marketing, customer service, and logistics planning.