Losing your job after 25 years of loyal service doesn’t just shake your confidence—it can shake your entire world.
That’s exactly what happened to Umesh Rathod, a civil engineer, who found himself without a job in 2019 due to corporate cost-cutting.
He was 49. Retirement wasn’t an option. Finding a new job at that age wasn’t easy either. What do you do when you’re too experienced to start fresh, but not ready to stop?
You go back to your roots.
🌱 A Family Legacy Reborn
Back in the 1990s, Umesh’s mother had built a small but trusted tiffin service in Hadapsar, Pune. For over 20 years, she served homemade food to students and working professionals with love and consistency.
“I was always away due to my job—Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad. I couldn’t help her much,” Umesh recalls.
But when he returned to Pune jobless, it was his mother who gave him a new direction.
“Why don’t you start the tiffin service again?” she asked gently.
That one question lit a spark. The Rathod family had the knowledge. They had the recipes. And most importantly, they had the heart.
👨👩👧👧 A Family That Cooks Together, Grows Together
With guidance from his mother and unwavering support from his wife Sushma, Umesh restarted their family venture: Sushma Tiffin Services.
“I began managing orders and deliveries. My wife took full charge of the kitchen. Soon, our daughters started helping us too,” Umesh shares with pride.
This wasn’t just a business. It was a family effort, a revival of a legacy, and a daily act of love.
🥘 What Makes Their Food Special?
Sushma cooks like she’s cooking for her own family. Every meal is fresh, flavourful, and never boring.
“My wife ensures the menu is dynamic. If the same food is repeated often, people lose interest. So we change it up, add seasonal items, and try to keep it exciting.”
From students to working professionals to even full families—everyone is loving the comfort of their food.
And that’s when PinkAprons entered the story.
🚀 Growing with PinkAprons
In 2021, Umesh and Sushma partnered with PinkAprons, and the results have been heartwarming.
“PinkAprons gave us a platform to reach more people. We now get orders from different parts of the city. It’s been a great experience.”
With PinkAprons managing deliveries and online orders, the family was free to focus on what they do best—cooking with love.
They expanded their menu to include breakfast and snacks, making their service more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
💬 What Can We Learn from Umesh and Sushma?
This isn’t just a story about food. It’s a story about:
- Resilience in the face of uncertainty
- Family unity and shared purpose
- The power of starting over, no matter your age
Umesh lost his job. But in that loss, he rediscovered something far more meaningful—a way to serve people, build something of his own, and keep his mother’s legacy alive.
🍴 Want to Taste the Love?
If you’re in Pune and looking for wholesome, home-cooked meals made with care—Sushma Tiffin Services is just a tap away.
👉 Order now via the PinkAprons Website or mobile app and experience the warmth of a meal that feels just like home.
💖 Final Thoughts
Not every story of job loss ends in despair. Some, like Umesh and Sushma’s, blossom into something more beautiful than ever imagined. All it takes is belief, courage—and sometimes, a little nudge from family.
At PinkAprons, we’re proud to be part of their journey. And we can’t wait to be part of yours.
