Eleven years ago, entrepreneur Aditi Khatau began her first business venture from a small desk at home. Today, 'Dial-a-Meal' is one of the most convenient and reliable restaurant delivery systems in Pune!

Reading about the concept in a magazine, Aditi wanted to try and create her own version in Pune. She says, “I wanted to start something on my own!” With her heart set on it and a plan in hand, Aditi started meeting restaurant owners across the city. She was deeply encouraged by their supportive response, and wasted no time in getting started. Aditi's young daughter was only four-years-old then, so she wanted to work from home as much as possible. She worked hard for the first seven months and even took orders herself everyday.

It all finally paid off! Today, Aditi has her own call centre where Dial-a-Meal executives take your orders and then call you back to confirm with your details like name, location, order value etc. She has tied up with about 50 restaurants, including some of the most popular ones like Mainland China, La Pizzeria and Sigree. She feels that Pune is changing as a city and going out isn't as convenient as before, because, “You have to learn how to improvise as things change. Now Pune has more problems than before; no parking, no place at restaurants etc. So it's much easier to just order in!”

Having done her bachelor's in commerce from HR College, Mumbai, her speciality is in setting up systems. She is an extremely diligent individual, with a real knack for business. She says, “I belong to a business family, so business is in my blood, it's kind of our forte! I'm not the kind of person who can take orders so I started my own business.” It is a completely transparent venture, and that's what makes it so efficient.

So why should restaurants use her service? “A lot of work goes into delivering. This is an optimal utilisation of resources – they don't have to have their own team that way. Generally, they say that business can't be a win-win situation for everyone, but mine's a three way win-win-win situation for the restaurants, the customers and I.”

She's been frequently questioned about why 'Dial-a-Meal' is not an Internet-based system, she answers, “A lot of people have wondered why it's not all on the net—I think people would like to talk to a human person when it comes to food, that way preferences can be put in, guidance can be given about how much to order etc.” However, all the restaurants' menus are on a website, and all feedback sent from the website goes straight back to Aditi.

It's taken time and perseverance but her business has finally flourished. Aditi says, “It's taken a while for it to take off, but I'm happy with what I've started. I'm grateful for the response and all the support I've received from my friends, because when you start something new you need a sort of moral boosting. And when it takes off, you find the fuel in you to make it grow.”