From Cafee Funny Bunny to JÖVÖ India: A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

The year 2014 marked a significant turning point in my life, both personally and professionally. It was the year I got married in May, and just a month later, I embarked on a new venture, launching a restaurant and gaming zone called Cafee Funny Bunny. This was a family-invested business, primarily run by a young chap—me—who had no previous experience in the restaurant industry. However, I was filled with passion and determination to make it work.

The Birth of Cafee Funny Bunny

The idea of Cafee Funny Bunny emerged from a franchise opportunity with a Nagpur-based company called ‘Kids Cafe.’ I had partnered with them through Franchise India, investing heavily in the project based on their designs and concepts. Unfortunately, after taking the franchise fee and guiding us through the initial stages, the company disappeared, leaving us stranded with a half-completed project and a significant financial loss.

With so much already invested, both financially and emotionally, we had no choice but to push forward. It was a difficult time, especially since my marriage and the launch of the new venture coincided, adding to my mental stress and fears. However, by the grace of God, we crossed paths with Chef Rudresh, who played a pivotal role in helping us set up the restaurant quickly. We opened the doors to Cafee Funny Bunny as soon as possible, using the existing interior design that was meant for Kids Cafe and adapting it to our ideology.

The Initial Success and Challenges

The first six months were filled with excitement and optimism. The restaurant quickly gained popularity, receiving praise from customers and attention from the media.

Many celebrities visited our cafe, and we engaged in extensive marketing efforts, including road-to-road campaigns, distributing pamphlets, organizing birthday parties, and participating in college fests.

I personally took on every task, from distributing flyers door to door delivering food,to cleaning tables and toilets.

However, despite the initial success and positive feedback, it soon became clear that something was amiss. The profits were not reflecting the hard work and effort we were putting in. I realized that we had positioned our product in the wrong place, and continuing to run the business for another year or two would only add to our financial burden without yielding the desired profits. In 2015, we made the difficult decision to close Cafee Funny Bunny.

The Emotional and Financial Impact

The closure of Cafee Funny Bunny was not just a financial loss for me but also a deeply personal one. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was responsible for the setback, and it weighed heavily on my mind. I felt the need to earn back the trust of my family and to prove that I could turn things around and bring profits back to them. The experience was a constant reminder that I had to do better, and it fueled my drive to succeed in future endeavors.

A New Beginning

After closing the restaurant, I decided to start fresh in 2015 by working for some of the best lighting companies. I owe a lot to Sajini, who helped me secure a job and gave me the opportunity to learn and grow in the industry. This time, I was determined not to make the same mistakes. I quickly absorbed the art of business, and by the end of 2017, I was ready to start my own business again.

The Turning Point: Involving My Family Again

By 2020, I was finally in a position where I felt financially stable and confident enough to get my family involved in my business endeavors once again. I wanted to make things right, to bring them into a venture that would succeed. We decided to invest in the lighting business, taking on a distribution deal with a well-known brand. I’m happy to say that our balance sheets are now on a positive note, and the trust I sought to rebuild with my family has been restored.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Reflecting on the past decade, I am deeply grateful to my parents, family, and well-wishers who supported me through my difficulties and stood by me during the toughest times. There’s still much to achieve in life, but I am content with what I have learned. My journey from Cafee Funny Bunny to JÖVÖ India has been filled with challenges, but it has also been a story of resilience and reinvention.

Now, as I continue to grow and evolve in my career, my focus is on helping those around me build a better future. The lessons I learned from my early ventures have shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today, and I am committed to using that knowledge to make a positive impact on the world.