Image Source: FNP
Patricia Narayan's journey is not just about building a business. It is about rebuilding a life with courage, determination, and unshakable belief in oneself.
Once trapped in a painful and abusive marriage, Patricia had every reason to give up. Her husband battled multiple addictions and offered little support, leaving her alone to raise two children. But instead of giving in to despair, Patricia chose to rise. With no savings, no support system, and no business background, she stepped out to make a living — not just for herself, but for her children.
Armed with recipes for pickles, jams, and squashes, she began cooking from her modest home. With humble beginnings and big dreams, Patricia set up a handcart at Chennai’s Marina Beach. Her first day’s earning was a single cup of coffee sold for just 50 paise.
But that was the spark.
From selling samosas, fritters, and cutlets to beachgoers, Patricia’s food soon started attracting loyal customers. By the late 1980s, she was running office canteens. Her hard work and resilience caught the eye of the Sangeetha Group, where she became the director of their Nelson Manickam Road restaurant in 1998.
However, life wasn’t done. In 2004, Patricia lost her beloved daughter, Pradheepha Sandra, in a tragic car crash — a wound she still carries. To honor her daughter’s memory, Patricia now operates an ambulance service at Acharapakkam, the very place where the accident occurred.
In 2006, she founded Sandeepha, her own brand — now a chain of restaurants and corporate food courts. What began with just two people has now grown into a team of 200 employees. Her business generates up to Rs. 2 lakh in daily revenue, a stark contrast to that first 50 paise cup of coffee.
From travelling in a cycle rickshaw to owning a car, from a roadside cart to corporate catering — Patricia has transformed her life, step by step, day by day.
In recognition of her grit and entrepreneurial spirit, Patricia was awarded the FICCI Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, a moment she describes as a surprise, but also as a culmination of 30 years of relentless effort.
“I had no time to reflect all these years,” she says. “But the award made me look back and relive every struggle, every step. Now, I want to build Sandeepha into a national brand.”
Patricia Narayan’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the value of hard work, and the strength of a mother’s love. She didn’t just build a business, she built a legacy.
Let her journey be a light for every entrepreneur who’s just starting out no matter how small your beginning, believe that greatness is possible.