Enterprise: Eli Products

Founder: Champika Niroshini Peiris           

Industry: Food & Beverage/ Manufacturing of natural food products

Year it was founded: 2016

Location: Pannipitiya

Entrepreneur Champika Niroshini Peiris refused to let the pandemic defeat her. When her work as a wedding photographer dwindled during Covid times, she swiftly changed gears and started a new venture of bottling food items using organic methods. Find out more about Eli Products and the invincible woman entrepreneur leading this business.

Tell us about your business.

My business started in 2016 and we are engaged in the manufacturing of natural food products. The business was registered under ‘Eli Products’ in 2020 and currently we have two outlets at Good Market - Havelock Town and Can Market - One Galle Face apart from online delivery and wholesale marketing.

What made you venture into the food business?
Actually, I was a professional photographer and I did photography for a living. But the emergence of COVID pushed me to decide whether I'm going to continue with my traditional income stream or to try something different which makes me more comfortable and gives more satisfaction while earning a living. Many of us lost our income sources during the pandemic, where we were unable to restart from the place where we left. Especially when events got cancelled, weddings got postponed, I knew that I will create something on my own which does not pose any barrier to stop me going forward. I love food and wanted to make it more delicious with the organic stuff. So, I got this idea to bottle certain food items, preserving them using organic methods.

What are some of the challenges you face and how do you overcome them?

The main challenge I face is the higher cost of raw materials used for production. 

I usually do the bottling process in glass bottles, I'm not using plastic bottles to pack my products. So, prices of glass items are higher nowadays and this affects us while making pricing decisions. Further, I'm driven by eco-friendly concepts wherein I do not use polythene products to wrap up my food items. I opt for paper bags. Prices of those have now increased in the market which we do not have a proper control to maintain at a stable level. 

I had issues with finding sufficient staff and arranging their payrolls. But I have found solutions for this.

I produce an Aloe Vera and Ginger drink. To obtain natural raw materials for the same I hire certain known parties / families of mine who are well equipped with cultivation activities. So what I do is to motivate them to grow the respective herbs and purchase the stuff from them. On the other hand, I generate more employment opportunities for others who are willing to work with me. Even though I have 3 permanent employees with me for the operation, there are separate sets of people whom I have indirectly used for my production process. So, I give a hand to the farmers who usually supply their harvest for my products.

What is your business mantra?

I do believe in quality maintenance. I never think about quitting work. I stick to my policies. If my policy is to do away with non-organic items, I would prefer to stand with my decision rather than short-changing my entire client base.  It is your core values that will take you to the next level.

When I undertake an order, I keep my promise. I meet the deadlines. I believe in hard work. I give my best shot for my business. Time allocation for my business has become more important than any other thing in my life. Assume that you invite me to a party. It  may be from my sister. If I have to meet a deadline by tomorrow, I would rather fuel my business work than attend your party because it is my bread and butter. First things first.

What is your big business dream?

I would love to set up a restaurant in the next 5 years. But it has to be a unique venue where you can experience calmness as if in a temple (Ahramaya type).  Idea is that you enjoy authentic organic foods while in a relaxed environment. It is a kind of place not only for dining, but to enjoy absolute freedom for your mind and body. The place could even include meditation activities. Broader concept is to nourish your entire soul. 

And lastly, how has Commercial Bank helped your business?

It has been a pleasant experience with Commercial Bank from the very beginning. 

Actually, I was at Colombo City Center attending my first trade experience being an entrepreneur. Mr Suraj and Pradeep from Commercial Bank visited me in 2019-20. I was a new entrant to the industry where I was working to find myself in the market. They addressed me with such confidence to take the first step in my new business.  They met me after sometime while I was trying to add more products to my portfolio. It was a crucial meet-up for me as I was in need of some funds to expand my business. They saw this opportunity where they can extend their support to reach my business to the next level. They believed in my style of doing business and financial assistance was eventually granted.

Commercial Bank has conducted valuable workshops for entrepreneurs like me to learn more about SME business. That has added a lot of character to my business. I was lucky enough to attend the Trade Fair conducted by the Bank at Diyatha Uyana in March 2023.

This is how I got the right support to make my way forward in the industry. 

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