For Archan Raj, one turn changed his life forever. When he first arrived in Australia in 2012, he had made a promise to himself that he would return to see his parents only after achieving something big in life.
“When I came to Australia, I had no clue how I'm going to survive or live here," he told SBS Hindi. "Paying my school fees (AUD $65,000 roughly) was my biggest worry. Rent and other expenses on time were also issues that needed attention. So it was an everyday challenge for me to survive in this beautiful country.
“I used to work and study almost every day. There were days when I would sleep 3 -4 hours a day as I had to work and write research reports together,” recalls Archan who was pursuing his Masters in Information Technology.
The experience taught him to manage his budget efficiently.
“I still use that strategy of $15 for groceries,” says Archan who has started an innovative food business ChefMe, based on his own struggle.
ChefMe is an idea that struck him through his struggle.
“The best things in life often come to us, when we come across hard times. In the year 2014, while I was studying at the university, being a food lover finding good food at a reasonable price was tough. So I thought to connect food providing homes with seekers.”
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However, ChefMe materialised only when Archan lost his job. He was struggling, but instead of finding another job, he counted his savings and invested in an app.
“Chefme is an online food marketplace where you can cook and sell food from your authentic kitchen anywhere, anytime," Archan explains. "It is a platform for passionate food makers who cook amazing food, curries, rotis, snacks, desserts, cupcakes, cookies or any kinds of meals.”
He now plans to extend his app across three continents - Australia, Asia and North America.
“I started in Australia, but my friends in Canada and India found it very interesting, and now we are operating there too.”
Arachan’s idea is also intended to create opportunities for homemakers who, for various reasons, are not able to leave home and work.
“Believe me! Many people cook amazing food at home. We aim to find them and give them a platform to use their skills,” says Archan.
However, things haven't been easy yet; there are challenges that Archan still has to face.
“We're the only one in the market with this kind of concept at the moment. It is hard to convince people of something they have not heard of. Finding real passionate food makers, reaching them out, making them understand our concept and technicality is not easy.”
ChefMe has over 400 food makers in Australia who have supplied home-made food to more than 10 thousand people.
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“Currently, we're developing our beta version and planning to launch it at the end of June most probably. We're pretty much planning it on a global scale very soon, due to excessive positive mouth talk and publicity we got a large number of users already, Thanks to social media, our friends and amazing food lovers!”
Archan is working hard to get funds for his startup. He has secured another job too. Archan says he feels a sense of achievement. He feels he is on the right track to achieve his dreams.
And that is why; he is travelling back to India this month, after six years.
