Guwahati: Hard work and determination are more than just motivational phrases for Debashish Mazumdar, the founder of India’s popular momo food chain, Momo Myaa. His journey from a modest upbringing to building a ₹25 crore annual business is a testament to resilience and ambition.

Mazumdar, born into a lower-middle-class Bengali family in Guwahati, Assam, faced financial hardships from an early age. Yet, he nurtured a dream of becoming an entrepreneur. His grandfather’s advice, “Make a name for yourself, and money will follow,” left a lasting impression on him.

Starting his career with a modest monthly salary of ₹1,800 at a bank, Debashish took a bold leap in 2016, leaving his job to launch an ice cream startup. Using all his savings and taking loans, he ventured into the business, but the startup failed within a year, leaving him with a debt of ₹8 lakh.

This was a period of struggle—he couldn’t afford festive clothing for his wife or medical treatment for his mother. Then, an incident at a Guwahati restaurant became a turning point. He was served low-quality momos, sparking the idea of introducing high-quality, flavorful momos to the market. Sensing a gap in the market, he began his research.

In 2018, Debashish borrowed ₹3.5 lakh to open the first Momo Myaa outlet in Guwahati. The initial two years were challenging, but his perseverance paid off. In 2020, he launched the first franchised outlet, marking the start of rapid growth.

Today, Momo Myaa boasts over 200 outlets across India. Each franchise pays a monthly setup fee of ₹2.5 lakh and a 5% royalty on total sales. The business now employs around 400 people and generates an annual turnover exceeding ₹25 crore.

Debashish Mazumdar’s story is a shining example of how vision, hard work, and resilience can transform a small idea into a flourishing enterprise, proving that success is achievable even against the odds.