Laveena Jain, a 56-year-old cancer survivor, transformed her passion for cooking into a flourishing business—‘Laveena’s Tripti Foods’. What began with a mere Rs 1,500 and a handful of local customers has grown into a well-known brand across Uttar Pradesh, specializing in homemade murabbas, jams, pickles, and squash. But behind this success lies a story of immense struggle, resilience, and an unbreakable spirit.
A Life Turned Upside Down
Laveena and her husband once enjoyed a comfortable life running a private transport business in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. However, in 2010, their world crumbled when both were diagnosed with cancer—breast cancer for Laveena and mouth cancer for her husband. The couple underwent back-to-back surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, forcing them to shut down their business. With mounting medical bills and school fees for their two young children, they faced financial turmoil. Borrowing money from friends and family seemed like an endless cycle, and the pressure to sell their home loomed over them.
“We were devastated, not just financially but mentally and physically. Yet, we knew we were in this fight not just for ourselves, but for our children’s future,” Laveena recalls. Determined not to give up, she sought ways to rebuild their lives without letting go of the home that held their memories.
Rediscovering a Forgotten Skill
After eight months of treatment, Laveena searched for ways to sustain her family. She recalled a skill she had learned in her teenage years—food preservation. In the 1980s, she had taken a course in making murabbas, pickles, and jams, more as a hobby than a necessity. Little did she know that this knowledge would one day become her lifeline.
Encouraged by her husband, who was still recovering and unable to speak for six months, she enrolled in the Uttar Pradesh Government’s 100-day employment development programme on food preservation. Post-training, with just Rs 1,500 in hand, she launched ‘Laveena’s Tripti Foods’ from her home kitchen.
A Humble Beginning with a Big Dream
With no formal marketing experience, Laveena faced challenges in selling her homemade products. “Making a product is easy, but selling it is a different battle,” she says. Her breakthrough came through local kitty parties, where she offered samples of her products. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and soon, pre-orders for her lemon squash, mango pickles, and other delicacies started pouring in.
From reusing old bottles for packaging to carefully refining her recipes, she steadily built her customer base. What started as a small-scale venture soon expanded into an enterprise offering 60 to 70 varieties of homemade products.
A Family’s Unbreakable Bond
Throughout this journey, Laveena’s biggest motivation remained her family. Her son, Kinshuk, who was initially set on becoming a chartered accountant, found himself drawn into the business. He juggled his studies while helping his mother at exhibitions and managing operations.
“I remember my parents sitting us down and telling us about their fourth-stage cancer. They didn’t know what the outcome would be but wanted my sister and me to always support each other,” Kinshuk recalls.
The business was not just a financial necessity; it was a testament to their resilience. Kinshuk faced his own challenges while promoting their products. Initially hesitant, he found encouragement from his father, who, despite his condition, wrote messages on paper to motivate him. “He reminded me how he once personally invited passengers onto his bus despite being the owner. That lesson gave me the courage to go door-to-door with our food samples,” he shares.
A Thriving Business with a Purpose
What started in Meerut has now expanded to cities like Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, and Noida. Laveena’s products are sold both offline and online, including on platforms like Amazon. Today, they receive an average of 300 orders per month, and the business has helped them clear loans of Rs 15 lakh.
Looking back, Laveena believes her journey is a story of courage and perseverance. “I don’t see myself as an inspiration, but I want to show that no matter what challenges come your way, you must not lose hope.”
Each jar of pickles, bottle of squash, and pack of jam carries more than just flavors—it carries a story of survival, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who refused to give up.
