Philo’s journey is anything but ordinary. At 70, she’s defying expectations and becoming a global inspiration. From her humble kitchen in Alappuzha, Kerala, Philo has not only nurtured her family with delicious meals but also turned her love for cooking into a thriving small business. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and an unyielding determination to succeed despite the odds.
Though life threw her curveballs—such as health challenges and the loss of a loved one—Philo persevered. With the support of her daughter-in-law Tincy, she built ‘Philo’s Pickles,’ a venture that has touched the hearts of many across the world. Her dedication to crafting authentic, homemade pickles has earned her recognition far beyond her hometown, with orders flowing in from the UK, USA, and Australia.
Philo’s tale is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to reinvent oneself at any stage of life. What started as a small, home-based initiative has blossomed into a global business, reminding us all that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams.
Normally, individuals nearing their seventies are dependent on loved ones and focused on health challenges. However, Philo has become a global inspiration at seventy.
Philo, a passionate cook from Alappuzha, delighted guests at family get-togethers and weekend brunches with her food, often sending them home with a bottle of her latest pickles, especially those from abroad. These small gestures and words of appreciation meant a lot to her.
Unable to continue her education after class 12, she harbored a deep desire to accomplish something, though questions of how, what, and when remained unanswered.
Despite shutting down and reviving their business multiple times, this mother and daughter-in-law duo managed to start a successful small business from home in 2015.
“What sets her mother-in-law’s pickles apart, besides the flavour, is the fact that they have a long shelf life.” Says Tincy about her daughter-in-law. They launched the business on a small scale with just a Facebook page, offering two to three varieties of pickles such as chicken, sweet lime, and beef. The business thrived entirely through word of mouth.
But just as the business started gaining momentum, a major health issue brought it to a standstill.
“Appa (father) was diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized for three months. We had to travel to Vellore frequently for his treatment, making it difficult to run the business,” Tincy shares.
When things seemed bleak, Thomas expressed his dying wish.
Tincy recalls his words: “Look, Philo, you are incredibly talented. You have a natural gift for bringing joy to people through your food. Don’t give up—keep the business going. I’m sure you’ll succeed.”
The 67-year-old, who had dedicated her entire life to kitchen and household responsibilities, took this as her cue to soar.
She revitalized and relaunched ‘Philo’s Pickles’ with a fresh identity in 2018, updating the logo and packaging. Most importantly, she secured a food license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). With an investment of Rs 10,000, they purchased all the necessary equipment.
“We started distributing our products to local supermarkets, which helped spread the word,” shares 36-year-old Tincy.
The real breakthrough came with a visit from food blogger Mrinal Das Vengalat, who runs Mrinal’s Blog. In 2019, he posted a video about their products, significantly boosting their visibility.
The video attracted substantial orders for the homemade business and led to the creation of the Instagram page @philospickles.
The unique selling proposition (USP) of these pickles lies in Philo’s recipes and the fact that they are crafted at home in small batches. The duo has a dedicated area behind the kitchen specifically for pickle-making.
Their bestsellers include prawn pickles and dried beef powder. In addition, they offer a variety of fish and meat pickles, along with chemmeen chammanthi podi (dried prawn powder). They also produce seasonal vegetable pickles like mango and sweet lime. Philo shares that they prepare small batches of 10 kg at a time, tailored to specific orders.
“The sweet lime pickle recipe comes from my mother, while I’ve created the recipes for prawn and fish pickles myself,” shares Philo with a touch of pride in her voice. “All our ingredients, including meat, prawns, and vegetables, are locally sourced. We refrain from using any frozen products, even making our own chili powder at home.”
“It’s this dedication and care that captivates our customers,” adds Mrinal in his blog. “Each order is prepared with the same attention to detail as if it were for their own family.”
“In his blog, Mrinal wrote, ‘Every dish is incredibly flavorful and packed with taste. Just a bit of pickle or dried prawns’ powder with rice, and you’re set to thrive anywhere.’”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they closed their business for two years due to the inability to fulfill orders amidst lockdown restrictions, particularly since a majority of their orders originated from abroad. Nonetheless, they revived their operations in 2022 with renewed determination.
Initially assisted, they now manage all aspects—from production to packaging to marketing—solely as a duo.
Their clientele predominantly consists of NRIs residing in the UK, USA, Australia, and beyond. With aspirations of expansion in the months ahead, they plan to augment their workforce and intensify their marketing efforts.
For the 67-year-old, it’s a new beginning. The excitement and joy in her voice are evident as she discusses the business she has worked hard to establish.
“We spend our lives consumed by responsibilities. As we reach our sixties, we can feel bored and weary, doubting our capabilities. By focusing on our skills, we can change our mindset. Since starting Philo’s, my stress and anxiety have greatly decreased. It has brought me tremendous recognition and love,” she says.
And somewhere beyond, KJ Thomas must be smiling down from heaven.
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