Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | May 22,2025 | Centuries-old recipes and an unwavering passion inspired Kalpana and Uma Jha to step into the world of business. It was this very passion that led the two sisters-in-law to launch JhaJi Store, earning them recognition both in India and abroad. Hailing from Darbhanga in Bihar, Kalpana and Uma Jha began their entrepreneurial journey not just with pickles, but with a focus on preserving the traditional flavors of their culture. At the age of 51, Kalpana never imagined she would one day run a company. However, in 2020, as her husband was preparing for retirement from his government job and the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, she started planning her own business. Encouraged by her family and financially supported by her daughter, she took the first steps. Her son took charge of marketing and logistics, and Uma joined as co-founder. Kalpana was determined to turn her passion for pickle-making into a meaningful business.
Initially Registered as Mithila Achar and Chutney Private Limited
Kalpana began by validating the centuries-old recipes she had learned from her 82-year-old mother. She ordered dozens of pickles online to conduct market research, assessing them based on taste, packaging, and shelf life, and used the insights to refine her own offerings. With a savings of around Rs. 5-6 lakhs, she registered her business under the name Mithila Achar and Chutney Private Limited. Within six months, she had established a functional supply chain, obtained food safety licenses, and launched an e-commerce website. By June 2021, their D2C brand, JhaJi Store, was ready to offer a range of preservative-free pickles made from mangoes, red chilies, garlic, and other seasonal vegetables. Their first sale was a jar of spicy green chili pickle priced at Rs. 249. Initial orders came from friends and neighbors, and their feedbacks ware used to improve the recipe and packaging. Within 15 days, they crossed Rs. 1 lakh in revenue. In just two months, their customer base grew to 1,000, daily production jumped from 25 jars to hundreds, and their small team evolved into a unit producing over 1,000 kilograms of pickle per day.
Achieving Monthly Revenue Within an Hour
Applying to Shark Tank India marked a turning point in their journey. In October 2021, they pitched JhaJi Store on national television, seeking Rs. 50 lakhs in exchange for 10% equity. Though they did not secure a deal at the time, the episode aired in December and proved to be a game-changer. Within an hour of the episode going live, they earned revenue equivalent to a month’s sales. The surge in demand caused their website to crash, their inventory to run out, and over 2,000 missed calls to flood in. Orders poured in from across the country, and their entire team cancelled New Year plans to fulfill weekend sales that equaled three weeks of work. Kalpana and Uma responded swiftly, ramping up production from 100 kgs to 400 kgs per day within three months. Their team grew to over 50 women, and they invested in infrastructure. Their success story reached hearts not just because of pickles but because of their determination, authenticity, and commitment to empowerment. They pledged to donate 10% of profits to girls’ education and aimed to provide employment to 500 women in Darbhanga.
Creating a Place in Indian Kitchens and Abroad
Their hard work attracted the attention of those who once ignored them. In July 2022, investors Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh, along with Jharkhand Angels Network, visited their kitchen-factory. Impressed by their scale and honesty, they invested Rs. 85 lakhs for an 8.45% equity stake. This funding enabled JhaJi Store to set up larger production units, expand to over 20 varieties of pickles, and establish warehouses in Gurgaon, Patna, and Bengaluru to improve delivery efficiency. By mid-2023, JhaJi Store had delivered over 4.5 lakh pickle jars to more than 85,000 customers across 9,700 Indian cities. Their bestselling products included dry stuffed mango, stuffed red chili, and “Ol Barobar” pickles. Their reach extended beyond Indian kitchens to international markets, thanks in part to Kalpana’s daughter who promoted the brand in New York.
From a Home Kitchen to a National Brand
Kalpana and Uma’s journey is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is not bound by age, background, or circumstance. What started in a home kitchen has now become a national brand that empowers women and inspires thousands. Through JhaJi Store, they have bottled far more than just pickles, they have bottled hope, heritage, and the spirit of transformation.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
