Interactions with Founders – Aastha Almast, Mani Devi Gyawali & Charak Almast, The New Shop
Every so often, an experience touches you in a way that goes beyond business, beyond numbers—it’s about people, shared moments, and a journey of purpose. This Diwali, I had the pleasure of joining the New Shop team for their celebration, and it was a reminder of why I believe in them so deeply. As an angel investor, I feel privileged to be a part of their journey. The warmth, hospitality, and genuine affection shown by founders Aastha Almast, Mani Dev Gyawali and the youngest of the team,Charak Almast, were truly heartwarming. Aastha, is the CEO and is a bundle of positive energy, even called me their lucky charm and humorously insisted I stay with them for the long haul—an offer I’m happy to accept.
It was also a delight to see the joy radiating from their entire team, including the many families who gathered to celebrate. I had the chance to meet Mr. Sushrut Almast, the proud father of Aastha and Charak, and his stories spoke volumes about the legacy of values, resilience, and hard work that drive New Shop forward. There’s a magic in witnessing the pride a father has in his children and the genuine excitement in their journey together.
New Shop’s success isn’t just about market share or expansion; it’s a story of values, commitment, and grit. Here are some of the key drivers behind their impressive rise—qualities that make them not just great entrepreneurs but exceptional human beings:
Domain Expertise: Years of experience in retail give them an edge that’s hard to replicate, arming them with the skills to tackle the demanding world of 24/7 convenience retail.
Clarity of Purpose: Their focus on long-term goals is unwavering, striking a careful balance without compromising short-term progress.
Role Clarity and Complementary Strengths: Each founder has well-defined roles and a strong mutual respect, which enhances their teamwork and synergy.
Frugality with Exponential Scaling: Transitioning from an asset-heavy model to an asset-light approach has enabled rapid expansion across Indian cities. With Mani leading a lean yet powerful tech team, they’ve made tech the backbone of scalable growth and Charak ensures that the processes are world class.
Stakeholder-Centered hashtag Win-Win Approach: Understanding that they thrive within a supportive ecosystem, Charak’s commitment to continuous improvement and financial prudence—focusing on break-even and payback periods for franchisees —in my view sets a new industry standard.
Innovative Financial Solutions: I’m continually impressed by their creativity in financing, a strategic advantage in today’s business landscape. They have some amazing ideas on raising non dilutive cash flows with minimal intervention in business.
Learning, Growing, Adapting: One of the most inspiring traits they embody is the willingness to listen, evolve, and remain agile. They are a true learning organization, grounded and continually adapting to meet new challenges.
On behalf of my daughter, Ishani, and myself, I extend our warmest Diwali wishes to the entire New Shop family. Here’s to many more milestones, to shared laughter, and to the kind of purpose-driven growth that lifts everyone along the way. I look forward to being part of this journey for many more celebrations to come.
October, 2024
