From Rs 35 to Rs 75 Crore: The Incredible Journey of Shiv Sagar's Narayan T Poojari

• Narayan T Poojari arrived in Mumbai from Gujjadi, Karnataka, at age 13 with just Rs 35, seeking to support his family.
• He worked long hours in canteens, washing dishes and cleaning, while also attending night school to pursue education.
• Inspired by merchant navy cadets, he learned the importance of planning, patience, and belief for long-term growth.
• In 1990, he opened a small ice cream outlet in Fort, Mumbai, and a customer's suggestion led him to add pav bhaji to the menu.
• The pav bhaji became a massive hit, leading to the expansion of his business into the popular Shiv Sagar restaurant chain, now earning Rs 75 crore annually.

Why It Matters: Narayan T Poojari's journey from Rs 35 to a Rs 75 crore restaurant empire exemplifies Mumbai's spirit of opportunity.