Goa is a culturally rich state that has a plethora of options in terms of food and artistic products. Where would one find these authentic Goan products in one spot? Your best bet is a store in Fontainhas, Panjim, called Global to Local.
This store is the brainchild of Asha Arondekar, a self-made businesswoman with extensive experience in entrepreneurial leadership.
A postgraduate in clinical biochemistry from Pune University, she was only 19 years of age when along with two friends on campus she ventured into the business arena. In doing this, she was aided by a capital of Rs 50000, lent to her by a friend’s father.
Asha recalls, “We started with a trading company of a pharmaceutical research product, moved on to manufacturing the same product in India, followed by setting up our second factory in Surat and exporting to Europe.”
Returning to Goa later, she started a pharmaceutical research company in Verna. In time, she transitioned from pharmaceuticals to the wellness industry, establishing two franchise centres of VLCC, India’s foremost wellness brand, in Goa.
“I then founded my own wellness brand by the name Satva Salon & Spa, a leading wellness chain in Goa,” informs Asha.
Global to Local was born out of the need to help rural Goan women. Asha had worked closely with these women through different platforms. The women, though abounding in creativity and skills, were inhibited by their lack of knowledge about distributing and selling their products in the cities.
“During the first bout of the pandemic in 2020, a lot of these rural women got in touch with me as their finances were drying up. I then conceptualised the concept of a local platform in line with Swayampurna Goa and started a local Goan store in Fontainhnas, Panjim, in 2020, called Global to Local,” she adds.
Global to Local was charged with promoting genuine Goan products and brands. In just three months, Asha was able to conceptualise and put into action her plan.
Taking initial steps with around twenty-plus women and self-help groups, today Global to Local supports over a hundred women and self-help groups, and as Asha says, “In the process making them not just confident, but financially independent.”
Asha adds, “Over a period of time, these women have started experimenting, doing some research with our guidance, and not just upgrading the existing products, but also making new products.”
Global to Local is today the proud purveyor of Goan food products like local sweets, farsaan, bakery products, desserts, savouries, local masalas, chutneys, pickles, grains, spices, oils, vinegars, handicrafts and even our local Kunbi handloom items.
“Initially, it was a big task for me to find the skilled resource women, and set up the supply process and logistics. However, over a period of time, the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are now set,” says Asha, who received a subsidy from the government for her project.
Global to Local's client footfall includes local Goans as well as tourists visiting Fontainhas, the Latin quarters of Goa. The Goans are, of course, glad to have access to their much-loved foods and other authentic Goan products in one store.
If, as a tourist, your image of Goa is made up of cashew, feni, kokum and bebinca, Global to Local will dispel any false notions and provide you an educational experience.
Asha says, “Tourists are happily surprised as we educate them on the wide range of exclusive Goan products, which they can take back for their personal consumption and for gifting. Our store is also a choice stop for many travel companies with our wide range of Goan products to choose from.”
Global to Local has progressed to delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, making the food items even more easily available. People in other parts of India pining for Goan products can now also order on the store’s e-commerce platform www.globaltolocal.in.
Tourists are happily surprised as we educate them on the wide range of exclusive Goan products, which they can take back for their personal consumption and for gifting
Asha Arondekar
With plaudits for this enterprise, Asha has been motivated to develop her business. She says, “I am now looking forward to expanding with a similar store in North and South Goa, and perhaps the airports in the near future. We are a proud brand as we support livelihoods across Goa and strongly support the ‘Think global, buy local’ concept.”
DETAILS
Email: gtlenterprise02@gmail.com
Phone: +91 80103 67153
Address: Tarcar Mansion, Fountainhas, Panjim, Goa - 403001