Mumbai marketing manager shares key lessons from her mother, who runs a vada pav stall, but respected by doctors and officers

A Mumbai woman’s LinkedIn post about her mother’s vada pav stall outside BMC Hospital has gone viral, drawing praise for the woman’s resilience and multilingual skills. For 11 years, her mother has sold vada pav near the hospital, overcoming many challenges along the way.

Ishika Dhanmeher shared how her mother faced difficulties early on, including her stall being damaged, items stolen, and hospital staff trying to stop her. Many doubted her simply because she was a woman working independently. “But she didn’t stop. She didn’t complain. She proved her food was hygienic. She told them it’s all made at home, by her. And slowly, she made them love her,” Ishika wrote.

Building relationships beyond business

Initially, even hospital staff resisted her presence, but over time, the same people who once pushed her away now invite her to hospital picnics. Ishika highlighted how her mother treats everyone as individuals, listening to them and speaking their language — Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Hindi, and even English — despite not having formal education.


“She’s not afraid of people. She’s not afraid to ask. She’s not afraid to convince. That’s her gift,” Ishika said. Her mother builds trust and genuine connections with her customers without asking for help, yet help finds her naturally.

Adapting and staying positive

Ishika also pointed out her mother’s ability to notice changing food trends and adapt her menu with new vada pav variations. If she senses a low mood around, she brings back energy with her smile and positivity. This spirit has earned her respect from doctors, nurses, and hospital officers, many of whom value her personality more than formal degrees.

"She’s not formally educated — but doctors, nurses, and officers from the hospital respect her more than any degree. Why? Because she’s real. She’s sharp. She never stops smiling. And she loves what she does,” Ishika wrote.

Social media praises resilience and warmth

The post has attracted many supportive comments online. Nikhilesh Datta Banik called her mother “a proud daughter of a remarkable woman entrepreneur, truly inspiring!” Sayani Mukherjee wrote, “A true Superwoman raising another.” Another user, Ravisha Nautiyal, said, “Hats off to your mother! Building relationships and maintaining them is crucial not just for business but also for growth, your mother is an inspiration!”

Ishika’s post highlights how success can come not only from formal titles but also from hard work, kindness, and a smile that never fades.