Business lessons kids can learn from a kulfiwallah

emember the soft bells of kulfi wala on the streets of your locality? The way he used to jingle them every time he came with his kulfis on a hot summer day? We used to run towards the kulfi wala with our collected coins and get our favorite flavored kulfi. Our happiness knew no bounds when we used to lick the kulfi till the last drop and then bite the wooden sticks. Now, as we grow older, we realize that those were the best days of our lives and we want our kids to experience the same happiness.

Today as a sat in my office far from the road I heard the soft bells of the kulfi wala from the street but it was not as simple as running on the street to get my kulfi. It brought back all those memories of being a kid and the happiness I used to feel. My mind took me on a nostalgic journey and I decided that I will get my son his favorite kulfi today.

I called him up from the office and told him to come down to the streets, He was very happy and excited to get his kulfi. I ordered two of his favorite flavors and we enjoyed them to the fullest. It was a great feeling to connect with my son over something so simple as kulfi and I am sure he will always remember this day.

But there were other angles to it as well. I realized that in this fast-paced life, we often forget to connect with our kids on a simple level. We are so busy chasing our goals and ambitions that we forget to enjoy the small moments of happiness. Kulfi brought me back to my childhood and helped me especially connect with my son. It was a great reminder that we should always cherish the small moments and enjoy them to the fullest. Life is too short to not enjoy a kulfi on a hot summer day!

Adi being curious asked me many questions while we enjoyed our kulfis, this way kulfi became a learning lesson for him as well. He learned about different flavors, how kulfi is made and why it is so special to us.

How do they make kulfi? Is it local?- Kulfi is a traditional sweet of the Indian subcontinent, where it is commonly sold by street vendors called kulfiwallahs. It is made by boiling milk on a low flame until it thickens and reduces to almost half its quantity. Then, it is flavored with cardamom, saffron, rose water, etc. and nuts are added to it. This mixture is then cooled and poured into kulfi molds which are kept in ice for some time so that the kulfi sets.

How many flavors of kulfi are there?- There are a variety of flavors available in kulfi these days, from the traditional flavors like pista, malai, rose, etc. to more modern flavors like strawberry, chocolate, etc. You can even find fusion flavors like mango-strawberry, etc.

He wanted to know how they manage to keep the kulfi cold without electricity.- I explained to him that the kulfi is kept in earthen pots called matkas, which are filled with ice. This helps keep the kulfi cold for a long time. Salt is added to the ice so that it melts slowly and keeps the kulfi cold for a longer time.

How much the kulfi wala can make and is it enough for him to support his family- I told him that the kulfi wala is usually able to make around 200-300 kulfis in a day and since it is a popular summer dessert, he can sell most of them. This helps him support his family with a steady income.
We also saw a video of a man who sells kulfi by spending around Rs 7000 per day and makes Rs. 12000 every day.

How come Kulfi is not popular like other ice creams- I explained to him that kulfi is a traditional Indian dessert that has been around for centuries. It is not as popular as other ice creams because it is not marketed as much. However, it is gradually becoming more popular as people are becoming more aware of it. In big cities, you can even find kulfi parlors that offer a variety of flavors, it is priced higher in shops as compared to the roadside kulfi.

Adi realized it was a good business with little investment and one could easily make a profit out of it. Kulfi was not just a delicious dessert for him but also an inspiration to become an entrepreneur. He said this way people can be independent and not have to work for someone else and be underpaid.

Adi felt it was a sustainable option- I was happy to see that my son was able to connect with the kulfiwallah on a personal level and understand the importance of supporting local businesses. He also realized that kulfi is a much healthier option as compared to other sugary snacks and desserts which are laden with artificial flavors and chemicals.

Kulfi is not just a delicious dessert; it is also a reminder of the simple joys of life which we often forget in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. It is a great way to connect with our kids and create special memories which they will cherish for years to come. So, next time you see a kulfiwallah on the street, don't forget to buy a kulfi for yourself and your kids!

Kulfi is not just a dessert, it is a source of childhood happiness and a way to connect with our kids.

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