Every mother knows the struggle of finding the perfect snack for her child—something that is not just tasty but also healthy. For Gurugram-based Vandana Mehta, this challenge turned into an opportunity that changed her life. What started as an experiment in her home kitchen in 2017 has now flourished into Chocolat Corner, a successful venture with a turnover of Rs 32 lakh.
A Mother’s Quest for Healthy Snacks
Vandana’s journey began like that of many mothers—searching supermarket aisles for a nutritious yet delicious snack for her toddler daughter. But what she found left her disappointed. “Most of the packaged snacks were loaded with chemicals and preservatives,” she recalls. That’s when she decided to take matters into her own hands.
With a corporate background spanning nine years in real estate and telecom, Vandana was no stranger to challenges. But this one was different—her customer was a toddler, and they’re notoriously difficult to please. One evening, she whipped up a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and the moment her daughter took a bite, she knew she had cracked the code.
Turning Passion into a Business
Encouraged by her daughter’s love for the cookies, Vandana began sharing them with friends and neighbors, who raved about their taste. What started as a small home-baking experiment soon turned into something bigger. In 2017, she officially launched Chocolat Corner, with an investment of just Rs 20,000.
Her focus was clear—guilt-free treats that didn’t compromise on taste. Vandana ensured that her cakes and cookies were made fresh, without harmful pre-mixes or excessive preservatives. “Most cakes in the market use pre-mixes, but we refrained from that,” she explains. Even today, Chocolat Corner’s cakes are made to order in small batches of two to four kilograms, eliminating the need for artificial additives.
Expanding Horizons with Millet-Based Snacks
While her oatmeal cookies gained popularity, Vandana noticed a growing demand for healthier alternatives. This led to the launch of Blissfully Yours, a sub-brand under Chocolat Corner, in February 2023. Blissfully Yours introduced a range of millet-based snacks that cater to health-conscious consumers, especially mothers looking for nutritious options for their children.
The brand’s offerings now include:
- Oat Cookies
- Millet Cookies – including bajra (pearl millet), rajgira (amaranth), jowar (sorghum), and ragi (finger millet) walnut cookies
- Granola Bars – made with peanut butter and almond butter
- Cranberry Cookies – a bestseller known for its crunchy texture and tangy taste
The millet cookies, in particular, struck a chord with pragmatic young mothers. One such customer, Surbhi Arora, has been buying Vandana’s ragi cookies since 2019. “I wanted to give my son healthy snack options, and these cookies were perfect. The ease of availability and trust in Vandana’s products made all the difference,” she says.
The Recipe for Success
The key to Vandana’s success lies in her commitment to quality. Blissfully Yours products use whole wheat flour instead of refined flour and jaggery as a natural sweetener. After multiple trials, she found that powdered jaggery gave the best results, adding a distinct taste to her cookies.
Her dedication has paid off—what began as a small kitchen experiment now retails in 25 stores across Gurugram, along with a flagship store and select cafes. With a growing customer base of over 200, Vandana’s brand is proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor.
A Sweet Future Ahead
Vandana’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. In just a few years, she transformed a simple desire for healthy snacks into a thriving business. And as more people embrace conscious eating, Chocolat Corner and Blissfully Yours are set to grow even further.
Her journey is an inspiration to mothers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike—sometimes, the best business ideas are born out of everyday challenges. After all, who knew that an oatmeal cookie could be the start of something so sweet?