Lakshmi’s by GSB:  Daughter continues her mother's legacy | Fusion - WeRIndia

In the heart of Kerala, Lakshmi Muralidhara is immersed in preparations for the 10-day Onam festival.

She is not just making traditional delicacies like sharkara varatti, banana chips etc., but she is also preserving a legacy born out of her mother’s love for cooking.

This passion for food traces back to her childhood when her mother, Vinaya P G, started a small business selling Kerala and Konkani treats.

Lakshmi fondly remembers helping her mother with packing and deliveries, a routine she eagerly continued as she grew older.

Vinaya’s handwritten recipe book still guides Lakshmi in the kitchen today. Even as Vinaya battled for her life during the COVID-19 pandemic, her thoughts were on her business, demonstrating how deeply she was connected to it.

When Vinaya passed away in 2021, Lakshmi made the brave decision to carry on her mother’s dream.

It wasn’t just about keeping a business alive; it was about honouring her mother’s memory and providing employment to women from low-income backgrounds.

Lakshmi transformed the business into Lakshmi’s by GSB and ensured that every product carried the essence of her mother’s love and dedication.

She maintained the original recipes, used traditional methods, and kept the personal touch intact.

Despite the challenges of production and distribution, Lakshmi’s determination paid off.  She expanded the brand’s reach through local sales, an online presence, and social media marketing.

Today, the brand has a growing customer base across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu etc. Last year, the annual revenue of Lakshmi’s by GSB reached ₹12 lakh and catered to 500 customers per month. It is a significant increase from ₹3 lakh in 2021.

Lakshmi finds immense contentment in her work, believing that her mother is watching proudly over the business.

As she continues to grow the brand, she is not just making snacks; she is keeping her mother’s dream alive and thriving.

Image Credit: Kpsudeep, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homemade_4_Cut_Banana_Chips.jpg