Last month I met about 50 new bootstrappers. Big coffee brands are fighting an arms race: more cafés, expensive machines, European decor.
Shack is a live briciolage project. Bricolage is the skill of using whatever is at hand and recombining them to create something new ([The Savage Mind, Claude Levi-Strauss]). The sitting space is a village’s living room. The kitchen is a store room. The roasting room is the cattle room. Until last November, I used my study tables for prepping panini. Our packaging is still basic: a date and name stamp in the blue colour. Most bootstrappers are also bricoleurs, those who indulge in bricolage.
In January I had hosted a ‘Coffee Satsang’ for bootstrappers
A quick recap of the bootstrappers, who attended.
DiggininIndia: A vinyl store in Shahpurjat. Nishant, its founder, is a regular at Shack. He is also our tastemaker when it comes to music. It’s the coolest place in town.
Bobo Bakery: Mallika designs and sells beautiful cakes. She also opened her shopfront recently. She has the most beautiful kitchen in town. Moreover, she is Nishan’t tastemaker.
Manutsav is an international womenswear designer, who also set up his shop in Shahpurjat. The only drawback is the presence of La Marinate’s kitchen next to his workshop. They are caterers of European food.
Nishil is founder of Brand Catapult, which has a fifty members strong team. They work with food and beverages brands in India and abroad.
Navika and Hiten are not limiting themselves to ramen, they are helping others start new food businesses, ranging from street food to complex cuisines. Both also helped me to design my kitchen. Thanks a ton.
Rebekkah and Ariella are continuing to brew great health with Atmosphere Kombucha. I sincerely feel that they should start a café or a restaurant in Shahpurjat.
Gaurav Alagh runs a production house, but is mostly found around Shack. Either he is tempted to eat Chicken Panini or he is tempting me for a smoke.
Leesha and Mini are the only two fashion designers I know in town. Both run successful brands and are a force in their respective domains. Celebrities wear their pieces.
Shivani and Saqib also run a production house, and have been friends for a long time. I was also their property dealer. Theirs is the only office, which has two loos. What a luxury.
Mayank’s Miche Artisan Bakery’s cookies had uplifted the last meet-up to very health conscious ones. But, he also bales decadent croissants.
Deepak and Saanchi of Chiti Design are quietly building D2C brands. They were also my first testers. Thanks a ton for making the video and letting me use.
Mini and Rekha of Studio Mad About Clay are my favourite ceramic artists. They are my go-to place for all things gifts for people: bowls, mugs, cups. I am sipping my coffee in one of their cups, while I type.
Aaditya or DJ Pants, as he is popularly known, is also starting his own bootstrapping journey soon. I wish him all the best.
Nabi, who is everyone’s tastemaker, and most wanted designer in town, is also about to start his debut line of clothing. Once he launches that, he will finish everyone else’s work as he had promised. To be fair, he got me Shack’s sweatshirt.
Sunil, who is flying down again to be with the community, is my original partner in bricolage. Together, we have started about ten projects. Most failed, but our friendship and partnership strengthened. He is also starting his bootstrapping journey.
Aaron, our in-house animal psychologist brought Nisha Iyengar with him. About 12 years ago I had attended a course with her. It was a nice reunion. Aaron has moved to Gurgaon.
Also, shoutout to Theertha, who wrote about Shack in her newsletter. She also wove beautiful coasters for us. Thanks.
Meet Your Favourite Bootstrapper
A line or two about each bootstrapper is not enough. Every Sunday(14th onwards), I will be hosting a bootstrapper at Shack. While I interview each one, I will also pull shots and press panini for her. Guests can come and chat with the guest bootstrapper to collaborate, seek guidance or praise her work. I will share the full interview.
New Menu
I have added two cold sandwiches. Both are traditional Italian tramezzini, which are white breads with cold cuts, roasted veggies, pestos, and cheese. They last longer, without getting soggy. You can pair them with Shackerato or Iced Latte.
1. Chicken and garlic: Slow roasted garlic, lemon mayonnaise, baked chicken breasts, black pepper and salt come together to create a simple and flavourful snack. We make it in two minutes so that you do not have to wait longer.
2. Pesto: The simplest sandwich, but high on flavour. In-house basil, walnut, and pine pesto gangs up with fresh mozzarella, pepper, and salt. Pair it with a hot latte.
3. Limited home-made jam toast: My mum, who has been my blind supporter all my life, made bitter orange jam. It’s also available until it lasts. Ask for it.