Birthdays are special, often a time to relax and enjoy with family and friends. For me, this year’s birthday was different – it was an opportunity to blend work with celebration. My cousin, Shobitha from Coorg, shared the chance to put up a stall at The Wheel Cafe Coorg, a chance I couldn't resist despite the coinciding dates.
In fact, Shobitha had shared this opportunity with me back in 2022 as well. Unfortunately, when I approached them for a spot, things didn't work out. This year, I was determined to make it happen. Initially, I was offered just one day instead of two, and with all Saturday slots booked, I was left with Sunday – my birthday. In recent years, during my corporate days, I had decided to take the day off on my birthday. However, wanting to seize the opportunity to do an outstation stall and considering Madikeri’s proximity, I decided to go for it. I saw it as both a work endeavor and a mini birthday getaway.
We reached Madikeri on Saturday afternoon. My family, who had accompanied me to my first outstation stall in Mysore, decided to surprise me and joined us for lunch. Their support always brings a smile to my face, and I’m truly blessed to have them.
On the day of the stall, my sister, husband, and I set off early from our homestay to set up. By the time we were ready, my parents, brother, and brother-in-law joined us. The morning was cool, but the afternoon sun soon took over. Nearby, a wedding was in full swing with the melodious sounds of the traditional walaga band – a tempting backdrop for a dance.
Footfall at the stall was lower than expected, giving me the chance to explore other stalls, network, and even bump into an old friend. It’s indeed a small world! My family left by lunchtime, and my husband and I continued at the stall, patiently waiting for customers. In some time, a few who came in for the wedding walked in to check out the stalls, and that's when I got my first customer as well.
Late afternoon, the clouds loomed, but luckily it didn’t rain. As evening approached and stalls began to close, footfall increased. Ironically, as we started packing up, more people showed interest, but by then, we were ready to head back to Bangalore.
Despite the low sales and turnout, my primary goal was to increase brand presence and explore new markets, which I believe I achieved. The reel I posted about working on my birthday gained significant traction, bringing in many new followers to our Instagram page. This surge in engagement was a delightful birthday gift from the Instagram community. If you haven’t checked out the reel yet, do give it a look!
In the end, the experience at The Wheel Cafe Coorg was special. It taught me the importance of perseverance, the joy of blending work with personal celebrations, and the power of social media in amplifying reach. Here’s to more such adventures and the incredible support of family and friends that makes it all worthwhile.
-Archana Harish
Click here to watch the reel on our Instagram Page @knotsquare.in or here to watch the shorts on our YouTube channel @knotsquaredotin
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