FEATURE

Emerging Empires of Hyderabad

Building a business empire is the hardest task. But some of our entrepreneurs from Hyderabad make it seem very easy. We took a trip around Hyderabad to find some of the most innovative and interesting businesses. We spoke to these entrepreneurs and found out about their businesses.

iWater

iWater is a Hyderabad based startup owned by Syed Ali Qasim Khundmiri, Mustafa Mohammed Manzoor Kaleem, and Mohammed Abdul Rahman Akbar.

When did you start your business? We started working on our startup in March 2020, we had the idea and since then we've been executing it. Our mission was to standardize the local market of water vendors and organize the unorganized market.

What services or products do you offer? At the moment, we offer half a litre and 1-litre premium water bottles, customizable as requested. We have a 100% Biodegradable bottle under covers. And also through waterkart.in, we deliver water cans to home.

What are your company's goals? Our company's goal is to solve the pure drinking water shortage problem and make pure water accessible anywhere and everywhere.

How does your company cater to its customers? We aimed to make sure that water is delivered to homes, pure water no matter the time or place and that is why we had to enter the industry. We are into an experience-filled business. We make sure only the best is delivered to our customers or as we call them the #iWaterclub.

iWater Private Limited, Website - iWater.co.in Instagram - iWater.co.in Phone - +91-9394804040

Sleepinplush

Sleepinplush is a luxurious sleepwear brand founded by Ram Tibrewal. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration. His love for fashion design led him to pursue a diploma in fashion designing. His intelligence and creativity led to the making of Sleepinplush.

When did you start your business and what is your company’s mission? We started our business through Instagram on 22nd February 2021. Our mission is to establish my brand as a recognised sleepwear brand that dwells luxurious fabrics and elegant designs to bring everyone the sleepwear of their dreams! Our goal is to be one of a kind sleepwear brand in India to provide luxurious sleepwear.

What services or products do you offer? We make customised sleepwear as per the measurements and specific requirements of all our clients. We also have a lot of complementary accessories such as slip-on, scrunchies and eye masks to match your PJs!

What made you choose to start a company in this industry? There aren’t a lot of sleepwear brands that I came across and not any that customises sleepwear for every individual. The lockdown was an inspiration because everyone was working from home and I had the epiphany to sell pyjamas to make your work-from-home or a laid back day at home cosier and comfortable which would eventually be the right thing to begin at this point.

Sleepinplush Instagram: @sleepinplush, facebook: @sleepinplush

Satisfriednow

Alina Irfan is a 22-year-old psychology student from Hyderabad. She started her food business from home and has now expanded her business by opening an outlet in the city. She has teamed up with Mohammed Shakeel Ahmed and Masood Ahmed Arif as her business partners.

When did you start your business and what is your company’s mission? I started my business officially on the 8th of March, 2020. During the start, my mission was to only focus on fries based items and expand the same way.

What made you choose your company's location? We chose the city centre as our location for many reasons, the topmost being it's located in the heart of the city. As we just started operating from our outlet we are only dealing with shawarma and fries for a week but in the coming month, all the items on the menu will be available which include all authentic Mediterranean & Arabian dishes. We also take even orders.

What are your company’s goals? My long term company goals would be to expand all over Hyderabad and India. For now, I would be catering for the most authentic Arabian dishes by not just labelling them as "Saudi food". Our company caters to customers by providing authentic Arabian/Mediterranean flavours and focuses more on the crowd of Hyderabad who has lived in the middle east and fulfils their Arabian food cravings. At the same time, I want the people of Hyderabad to enjoy Arabian dishes in their own city.

What made me choose to start a company in this industry? I believe that everyone has skills and talents that should be put to good use and if you have the right focus you can make a living out of it. I always enjoyed cooking and had the habit of using social media to my benefit. That is how I have created a food business from scratch.

Instagram: @satisfriednow Contact: 7993782261 Location: Food Court at City Centre Mall, Banjara hills

Mohammed Azhar Mohiuddin (Founder & CEO) is a 21-year-old student Entrepreneur, pursuing B.tech in civil engineering from Hyderabad. I'm a speaker & a climate Enthusiast which landed me with the idea of BioReform. Mohammed Mujeebuddin (Co-founder & CTO) is a software engineer, nature lover and always wants to protect it for the betterment of mankind.

When did you start your business? We started our startup's Ideation & Planning in August 2020 during the lockdown period. We had almost nothing to do while we were at home during the lockdown and that's when we started searching for problems around the globe that require immediate attention & needs to be solved.

What was your mission at the start of your company? Our mission is to tackle one of the biggest global problems i.e. plastic pollution by not just raising awareness but coming forward with 100% eco-friendly products to plastic as a step towards protecting the environment and by providing people with the best & most affordable alternative to traditional plastic.

What services or products do you offer? We manufacture 100% eco-friendly, biodegradable & compostable bags which completely biodegrade in less than 180 days, unlike the traditional plastic that stays with us for thousands of years, polluting both land & marine life. Our bags can also be customised as per customers requirements which includes printing & personal branding.

How does your company cater to its customers? Customers can contact us on 7842505670 (WhatsApp) for any queries and placing orders. We will also cater for our customers through the online marketplace, our website and also through distributors, retail market. Just visit BioReform.in and drop any queries that you have in the contact form and we'll get back to you.

Instagram: @BioReform.in Website: BioReform.in Contact: +917842505670 / 7036264313 Operating address: Edventure Park, Masab Tank, Hyderabad

Oh My Gosht

This authentic food company is owned by lovely husband and wife, Syed Mujtaba Hussaini and Musfira Basheer.

When did you start your business? Oh, My Gosht Pickles started in 2018 and Take a Bake in 2021. Our mission is to serve Quality and quantity products and at the same time, provide customer service.

What services or products do you offer? We offer only meat products under our pickle store. We have the authentic Hyderabadi Gosht ka achaar, Shami kebabs and Chicken cutlets that you can deep freeze and Tawa fry when needed. We also have Barbeque marinades. We have a separate handle for desserts (takeabakebyomgp) where we serve Japanese cheesecake that feels like a cloud when you bite into it and a delicacy called Ande ke lauz which is made of Almond flour, Desi Ghee and Saffron.

What are your company's goals? Our goal is to keep serving our customers with the same zeal. If zeal is missing, that's when issues arise. Therefore this!

What made you choose to start a company in this industry? We come from a culinary background. My father was an Ustaad and whatever recipes I learnt or inherited, were either from my late Grandmother or my father. I'm an accidental techie and all my friends, colleagues pushed me into starting a business into F&B. So I did my research and therefore came up with an online pickle store.

Instagram: @ohmygoshtp and @takeabakebyomgp Contact details: For pickles 9885722346 and for desserts 970326869

Khadija Abdul Azeem was raised in Hyderabad with her four siblings. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of psychology 1st yr. She enjoys reading and writing and hopes to launch a physical boutique of Ayevish someday.

When did you start your business and what is your mission? I started my brand in July of this year. When I first started, my main core for the company was to feed the soul with passion & love as well as raising awareness about mental health at the same time. Our business is sustainable and labour-friendly.

What services and products do you offer? We make hand-embroidered and hand-painted tote bags as well as fashion apparel that is to launch next year soon. Our slogan is 'a detour to couture', which means a longer than usual journey with our team and clients to provide the best. To build a fashion brand without anyone's cost of mental health.

What made you choose to start a company in this industry? As I started to dive into the industry research I saw so much wrong, from tonnes of clothes thrown every year to unfair wages paid to workers. That's when I thought this is the gap I need to build a bridge on. I saw the fault and put my brain to work and that's how Ayevish came to life.

How do Ayevish cater for its customers? Ayevish is a slow fashion brand, everything is taken 100% care of, from our sourcing materials to packaging. -we do not encourage plastic use. -our materials are 100% organic fabric. -Designing aesthetic yet elegant pieces as per clients' orders. -we do not believe in bulk production so we take the orders and make them as per the demand.

Instagram: @AYEVISH.CO Email: ayevish.co@gmail.com

ConsumerFlood

Mukarram Ali is an entrepreneur and founder of ConsumerFlood. He enjoys creating and loves spending time with people who love growth. During the lockdown, Ali and His team, Abrar ul Haq, Abdullah Khalid Saleem, Idrees Ali, and Uzma Fatima got together and created ConsumerFlood.

When did you start your business? We started this hustle eight months ago. When we were in the midst of heavy lockdowns, I felt as though we could do more as students and growing entrepreneurs.

What was your mission at the start of your company? My initial goal was to put together like-minded people and create a space for them, to learn and grow as entrepreneurs. Moving forward, I realized this could also be a great way to create a passive route of income for me and my colleagues.

What services or products do you offer? We initially began with digital marketing and developing different web tools for our clients. As of now, we have introduced a product called “TapIn”. TapIn helps you connect with people around you with just a single tap. The chip, which can easily be stuck to the back of your phone, includes all the personal data and links that you would normally share with people. Just a single tap and you’re connected. It’s like saying goodbye to business cards.

What are your company's goals? For now, our main focus is on growing our business and expanding it internationally. In the future, however, we would like to branch out and indulge in different fields of information technology to make life easier for people from all economic classes.

What made you choose to start a company in this industry? Information Technology is always growing. Technology is something that can never die out. It will keep evolving and growing to great heights. We at ConsumerFlood believe that we can make things that no one has ever before. We knew that there would be multiple competitors and it would be tough, but if we keep our mindset the same and keep working hard, I believe we can come out at the top.

Weekend Gateaways From Hyderabad

After a very tiring and stressful week, we often feel like taking a break from the workload and relaxing over the weekend. Apart from Netflix and chill, selfpampering weekends and lazy Sunday blues, Hyderabad weekend getaways are the most trending and fun ways to make your weekends splendid and cherishable. The weekend getaways from Hyderabad have all sorts of amazing experiences, ranging from historical places, religious visits, hill stations to amazing treks. For all you travel fanatics, discovering these hidden gems is the next thing you would want to do! Here are some amazing getaways from Hyderabad for you to explore…

Distance: 56.5km Location: NH65, Nagarjuna Sagar Road Rachakonda Fort indeed carries a legacy that dates back to the 14th century AD. It was built by Recherla Singam Nayak. The beautiful architecture of the fort is designed and layered over two adjacent hills. The design is more of defensively built walls rather than domes or courtrooms. The most interesting part of this place is that the rocks used in making this lovely fort are one of the oldest on this planet. Apart from the rich history imbibed in the walls of this fort, the trek can be done by beginners and is worth the walk. If you are looking for a trek with a view, Rachakonda is the best getaway for you.

Ananthagiri Hills

Distance:77.6 km Location: Vikarabad, Chevella Road There is nothing more inspiring than a beautiful sunrise and you can witness one of the most peaceful and serene sunrises at Ananthagiri Hills. Located near Vikarabad, Ananthagiri Hills is profoundly known for its natural aesthetics. The hills are the main water source for Osmansagar and Himayat Sagar. This place is known for its dense forests and a famous temple located in the forest. This place is suitable for a splendid time with nature and a great hike.

Nagarjuna Sagar

Distance: 158.2km Location: NH65, Nalgonda District World’s largest Masonry dam protected with 26 gates measuring 124.663m in height, Nagarjunasagar dam located in Nalgonda district is built across River Krishna. Visiting this architectural masterpiece is worth the drive. If you are fond of boating, the boating experience at Nagarjuna Sagar dam is one of the major attractions here. A visit to the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a fun-filled affair indeed with the scenic beauty of nature, thrilling boat rides and a rejuvenating long drive.

Kondapochamma Reservoir

Distance: 57km Location: Markook, Telangana The Kondapochamma Sagar reservoir is one such spot that has gained immense popularity in the last year, so much so that there have been days when there were kilometre long traffic snarls on the road leading to the spot. The reservoir, built as part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme in Markook Mandal of Siddipet district, is just about 60 km from Hyderabad. The reservoir is an ideal destination to head to for your weekend. It is just a few kilometres away from the Warangal Saraswati Temple’s arch, which is located on the main road. The reservoir’s location is not too far away from the city and this makes it a great choice for biker groups who are constantly on the lookout for new destinations. You can even Para glide under supervision at this place!

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Mallela Theertham Waterfalls

Distance: 178 km Location: Near Srisailam Mallela Theertham is a wonderful waterfall situated close to Srisailam. This fall is about 58 km from Srisailam. This fall located amidst the cool dense forest of Nallamala is a perfect getaway from the crowd and pollution of city life. The second-longest river in the country, River Krishna, flows through this forest. To reach this waterfall situated in the middle of dense forest one has to take 350 steps down. For those interested in adventure tourism and wildlife, this is a perfect spot. A walk through the forest enjoying the lush greenery of nature and clean fresh air is a refreshing experience. This serene fall is worth the effort. One of the advantages of this fall is that one can go underneath and enjoy the cool water in the Mallela Theertham.

Medak Fort

Distance: 91.8 km Location: Medak If you wish to get to the top of this beautiful fort, you need to boost up your energy as a stretch of more than 500 steps awaits you. It is elevated at a height of about 90 meters height from the ground level and is spread across 100 acres in the hilly region. Medak Fort is a heritage structure and a popular tourist attraction of Medak town. The fort is of immense historical and architectural importance in the region of Telangana. The Medak Fort is a huge structure that nestles on the top of a hill. This enormous fort was built about 800 years back in Medak, which was then the headquarters of the district. The fort demands one’s attention with its typical construction. This fortress makes use of the natural topography, as the rocky surface offers a natural defence. The ancient fort of Medak also houses a small lake, a barrack, and a warehouse. Distance: 36.7km Location: Keesara Village, Medchal district The temple is located in Keesara Village. It is also called Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple and is dedicated to lord shiva. Located on top of a hill in the Medchal District, this temple attracts a large number of worshippers every day. Also known for its architectural significance, this temple is a great place to visit during weekends. The key feature of this place is its religious importance. This place fits perfectly if you're looking for a religious weekend getaway.

Shamirpet Lake

Distance: 30km Location: Shamirpet Located at a distance of 27 km from Secunderabad, Shamirpet Lake is another beautiful lake adorning the city of Hyderabad. It is an artificial lake, which was built during the Nizam’s time, presenting a glimpse of the past which has been blended with the present; reflecting a beautiful history with modernity, where its importance ceases to fade away. It is a man-made lake, which was dug more than 50 years ago to serve the water needs of the areas around. It was dug by the then Jagirdar of the Shamirpet area. Another popular sightseeing place that is worth visiting is the Shamirpet Deer Park, often called Jawahar Deer Park. Spread over an area of 80 acres, this park boasts of an extensive number of deer along with a wide variety of birds and snakes. As the opening timings of deer park are from 9 am to 5 pm, visitors can visit the lake for a relaxed evening after their tour to the park. Ideal for sunsets and sunrises.

Soumya Sree, Student One of my favourite getaway places from Hyderabad is in the Ananthagiri hills. The entire journey to the place is beautified with nature and it's the closest we can get to mother nature near our city. The best part about it is that there is a hidden waterfall over there and it's ideal for camping.

Pragnya, Student I love the winters and being a snowflake fanatic, hill stations have my heart. Horsley Hills or Horsley Konda is a series of hills located near the southwestern border between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, 520 km from Hyderabad. It is often called the ‘Ooty of Andhra’. This hill station is located at a height of 4312 metres and has breathtaking landscapes around Gangotri and Mansarovar Lakes. This place tops the list and will always remain a classic for me!

Unnsh, Student I find myself visiting places away from the asphalt jungle. One of my favourite getaways has to be the drive to the famous Medak Cathedrals which is approximately 100 kilometres from the city. The ramble towards the church is perpetually filled with classic locals in the background, eating homemade refreshments and snacks. The Medak Cathedral is the most widespread diocese in India, the single largest diocese in Asia and the second-largest diocese in the world. The masses on Sundays are spent with prayers, singing of hymns, reading scripts; psalms and verses. I have spent hours watching the astonishing architecture of the Medak Cathedral. This kirk in particular reminds me of my late grandma and the fact itself makes it my favourite absconds away from the chaos of life.

Mithravinda Reddy,

Student I am extremely fond of travelling but with covid, I wasn't able to explore as much until I discovered the hidden gems my city withholds. My favourite getaway place from Hyderabad would be the Rachakonda fort. Being a history buzz, places that remind me of ancestral art inspire me and make me feel motivated and refreshed. The beautiful trek at this place is nothing less than an adventure. This place is everything i'd want for a relaxing and refreshing weekend.

Anirudh. G, Student

With the lockdown situation, a getaway from the city is something we all need. One of my all-time favourites is Mallela Theertham Waterfalls. It is quite a drive from the city but it's worth the journey. The nature and the sanity you find at that place is beyond words. I feel the closest to nature and feel rejuvenated every time I visit that place. The very essence of getting away from the pollution packed city reminds me of this one place I'd want to go!