Turning an idea into a business is never easy, especially for a young entrepreneur stepping into the market without a family business background. For Mamta Khes, however, determination, creativity and a desire to build something of her own led to the creation of Anyong Café in Jhirpani, Rourkela.
The café, which opened about a month before the featured conversation, represents Mamta’s first steps into the food and hospitality business. The idea came through her friend Sanjay Bara, and together they developed the concept into a cozy café designed to give customers a friendly and welcoming experience.
A Café Built Around the Idea of Friendship
The name Anyong Café has a special meaning. Inspired by the Korean word Annyeong, meaning “hello” or “hello, friend,” the name reflects the café’s central idea of welcoming customers like friends.
Located along the Palm House Road area of Jhirpani, the café offers a wide-ranging menu. Customers can choose from pizzas, sandwiches, Maggi, pasta, pastries, cakes, cupcakes, Bento cakes, mocktails, shakes and cold coffee.
The café’s interior is another attraction, with colorful artwork and a cozy setup that makes it suitable for spending time with friends and family.
Learning the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
For Mamta, launching Anyong Café has also been a learning experience. One of the biggest challenges during the first month was understanding what customers would actually like.
As a new business in the area, the team had to gradually introduce the café to local customers and understand their preferences. Even small details, such as how much sugar a customer wants in a coffee, became part of the learning process.
“Customer satisfaction” became an important principle for the young entrepreneur. The goal is not simply to sell food and drinks, but to listen to customers and improve the experience based on their feedback.
Staying Strong Through Business Ups and Downs
Like many new businesses, Anyong Café has also experienced fluctuations in customer numbers. Weather, particularly rainy days, can affect footfall.
For a young entrepreneur, such challenges can easily become discouraging. But Mamta’s journey highlights an important lesson: business growth requires patience and consistency.
Instead of giving up when customers are fewer, she believes entrepreneurs need to keep their businesses open, remain visible and give people time to discover what they offer.
No Family Business Background
What makes Mamta’s story particularly interesting is that she did not come from a family with an established business background.
Her decision to enter entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to do something different and showcase her own talent and skills.
Her journey reflects a growing spirit among young entrepreneurs who are willing to experiment, take risks and build opportunities for themselves rather than simply follow traditional career paths.
More Than Just a Café
Anyong Café is still a young business, but Mamta’s journey demonstrates that entrepreneurship often starts small—with an idea, a willingness to learn and the courage to take the first step.
From developing the café concept to understanding customer preferences and dealing with changing footfall, Mamta is gaining practical experience with every passing day.
The café’s menu and welcoming atmosphere are designed to attract local customers looking for casual food and drinks, while Mamta’s story adds a personal dimension to the business.
Her journey from passion to business is a reminder that a successful venture does not always begin with a large investment or an established business family. Sometimes, it begins with a simple idea and the determination to make it real.