8.1 What Can Go Wrong (Even if Rarely)
Let’s be honest — this business runs on simple logic: food in → water out → money in hand.
Still, a few small hiccups can happen. None are scary, but let’s list them so you look like a responsible entrepreneur when banks or officials ask about “business risk.”
⚡ 1. Power Supply Disruption
• Risk: Occasional power cuts can delay drying cycles.
• Backup: Small inverter or 1 KVA UPS is enough to keep the system stable for short breaks. In most cities, 4–6 hours of power is easily manageable.
💬 Example: In Barmer, Seema runs her dryer on a domestic connection. She keeps one small backup inverter; even during load-shedding, her mango leather batch continues smoothly.
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🧺 2. Raw Material Supply or Demand Fluctuation
• Risk: Seasonal prices can jump; in peak harvest, everyone dries tomatoes, and off-season prices rise.
• Backup:
o Keep 2–3 alternate items ready (tomato, chilli, methi, or even cooked food).
o Use SNL Network to pick up drying jobs from other regions when local supply dips.
💬 Example: When onions became expensive, Sandeep from Jalgaon switched to drying palak and mint — same machine, same customers, new profits.
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🌧️ 3. Weather & Moisture Issues
• Risk: Extremely humid weather may slow drying by 10–15%.
• Backup: Run an extra half-hour per batch, or schedule night cycles when humidity drops.
The system sensors already self-adjust — the operator just follows the beep alerts.
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🤝 4. Customer Payment Delays (for Contract Jobs)
• Risk: Some traders or hotels may take 7–10 days to pay.
• Backup:
o Always issue a small slip or invoice via the SNL App (auto-generated).
o For new clients, take 50% advance — standard practice.
o Keep few regular customers to balance your cash flow.
💬 Example: Vandana from Pune says, “Har naye client se 50% advance le lo — phir n tension, n phone calls.”
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🔧 5. Machine Maintenance or Downtime
• Risk: Rare, but possible (sensor, wiring, fan).
• Backup:
o SNL provides remote IoT monitoring — early fault detection.
o AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) available at ₹ 2,000–3,000/year.
o Local electrician can handle 90% issues — no special technician needed.
💬 Fun fact: A homemaker in Udaipur called her dryer “meri ATM machine” — when she thought it stopped, it was just the timer pause. One WhatsApp video call, fixed in 2 minutes!
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📈 6. Market Saturation or Competition
• Risk: If many dryers start nearby, local drying jobs may split.
• Backup:
o Differentiate by product (offer cooked food or premium herbs).
o Offer quality guarantee and “before-after” photos.
o Use SNL App to attract jobs from other towns.
💬 Remember — good food drying never goes out of demand; only bad service does.
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8.2 What You’ll Do Then (Backup Strategies That Work)
A. Use the Network, Don’t Panic:
If your local jobs slow down, the SNL platform still connects you to other demand pockets — bulk buyers, institutions, or even export agents.
B. Diversify the Menu:
Don’t depend only on one crop. Keep experimenting — one week fruits, next week masala powders, third week cooked pulao.
C. Collaborate:
Two small entrepreneurs can share one mandi stall — display “Custom Drying Here – Contact Us.”
Both get new clients, both stay busy.
D. Keep Your Machine Active:
Idle machine = zero earning. So even if orders are low, dry something seasonal (onion, garlic, spinach) and sell later.
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💬 In Simple Words
This business is like a pressure cooker — safe, contained, and predictable, as long as you follow the rules.
There’s hardly any big risk — only small hiccups that have ready fixes.
As one micro-entrepreneur said,
“Yahan darne ka nahi, sirf sukhane ka business hai!” 😄
