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Never Give Up: The Journey from Dream to Reality

Dear Friends,

As someone who has always been curious and independent, I faced many challenges growing up and even more when I ventured into the business world. From riding my first bike to joining youth clubs, I always pushed boundaries. This relentless pursuit of my goals laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey, where the word “no” simply doesn’t exist in my vocabulary.  

Ten years ago, I faced a significant challenge: publishing my first book. Having founded The Cooking Academy and earned 22 taste awards from the Guild of Fine Food for my spice blends, I wanted to share my knowledge. I envisioned a cookbook that would demystify Indian cuisine and provide a comprehensive guide to spices, turning even the most hesitant cooks into confident chefs. 

Embrace Never Give Up Day with a story of persistence. See how determination turned dreams into reality, overcoming rejections and setbacks.

Despite my experience and success, the publishing world was a different beast. My manuscript was rejected by countless agents and publishers, who told me I needed a celebrity status or a huge social media following. After five years of relentless pursuit and many rejections, I decided to self-publish. This decision came with its own set of challenges—finding a book designer, editor, photographer, and stylist. Midway through, my book designer vanished, taking £4,000 with her. But I was determined not to give up. 

After two years of trials, tribulations, and many late nights, I published 3,000 copies of ‘A Cupboard Full of Spicesmy first book! This was just the beginning. Storing 428 boxes of books was one thing; selling them was another. I cold-called distributors, drove to hand-deliver copies, and begged local bookstores to stock my book. Yet again, I had many rejections.  All the local book shops I had supported over the years were the very people who were reluctant to stock me. Slowly but surely, my persistence paid off. My book was sold in major retailers like Liberty of London, Selfridges, Oliver Bonas, WH Smith, Waterstones and Amazon. I even outperformed Michelle Obama’s book in a local WH Smith one cold December Saturday. 

The journey was far from glamorous. Our book launches saw more friends and loyal customers than press, and I never made it to the Times or the Observer as I’d dreamed. Yet, selling over 7,000 copies of my maiden book was a triumph. The book has become a cherished gift, often bought in multiples to share the secrets of a cupboard full of spices with as many people as possible. Our customers even buy another for their second home. Compliments from the recipes created – have led our customers to recommend the book to family and friends.  

The moral of my story is simple: never give up. Follow your dreams, and do not let anyone tell you it can’t be done. There is no such word as “no” in the pursuit of your passion. Fly further, faster and higher than you ever imagined. Believe in yourself, and others will too.  

Warm regards, 

Never Give Up Day Message- 15 August 2024

Kumud Gandhi Founder, The Cooking Academy 

 

Kumud Gandhi is a Nutritional Food Scientist bestselling Author, Broadcaster, and Keynote Speaker on the subject of nutritional health for productivity & performance in the workplace.  In 2010 Kumud founded ‘The Cooking Academy’ a cookery school that focusses on cooking for nutritional health and wellbeing.  Kumud regularly presents to international audiences on a variety of topics such as ‘Eating for Immunity and a Lifetime of Wellness’. She is an expert in the field of Wellness in the Workplace and works with organizations to create transformational change in employee health & well-being through nutrition and health coaching.

 

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