Hemalata Gnanaprakasam, affectionately known as Hemaji, has carved a unique path for herself, transitioning from a dedicated nurse to a multifaceted entrepreneur. Her journey is not just about business, but a testament to determination, passion, and the relentless pursuit of her dreams. Before captivating audiences on television screens, Hemaji dedicated years of her life as a staff nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore. However, her aspirations extended beyond the confines of the hospital walls. With an unwavering determination for self-growth and a desire to achieve something greater, she embarked on a new adventure in the media industry.
Starting as a TV host, Hemaji soon found herself venturing into acting, showcasing her talent in various roles across different TV dramas. She began her career as a TV host before moving on to act in Shalini Balasundaram’s Thirudathey Papa Thirudathey, the TV drama Ilamai Itho Itho, in which she played an unmarried mother, and Dr Vimala Perumal’s 26-episode TV series Tamiletchummy. Yet Hemaji’s entrepreneurial spirit burned brightly within her. Now she has embarked on a new journey, venturing into the entrepreneurial landscape with determination and passion.
With the support of her friends Gayathiri and Sinthu, she took the bold step into the world of business, establishing ventures like Piccolo Shop, Piccolo Cold Brew, Treadswala, Ghseventhall, and Yhall Batter Point.”My friend Gayathiri and Sinthu were my main influence for choosing entrepreneurship. Since I was three years old, I have also wanted to succeed as an entrepreneur,” Hema said. Piccolo Shop, located in Seri Kembangan, Kuala Lumpur, stands as a testament to Hemaji’s commitment to serving delicious and quality food to her customers. With a focus on food presentation and a passion for providing tasty and healthier options, Piccolo Shop has garnered praise for its top-notch culinary offerings.
Hema explained to us that the name Piccolo refers to both a musical instrument and the coffee that is served in our shop when we questioned what it meant.”I have been attached to Piccolo for four years. I formed a joint venture with my friend Gayathiri and Sinthu,” Hema told.Piccolo shop is expected to to open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday.
The Unique Offerings of Piccolo Café
What makes Piccolo special is its commitment to crafting everything by hand, ensuring a level of quality and authenticity that sets it apart. Sauces can often be the heart of a dish, providing flavor and tying everything together. By making their sauces in-house, Piccolo can control the ingredients, flavors, and consistency to ensure each dish is just right. Whether it’s a rich marinara for pasta or a tangy barbecue sauce for burgers, the handmade touch elevates the dining experience.
By handcrafting their burger patties, Piccolo distinguishes out in a world where frozen patties are the norm. As a result, they can alter the proportions of the meats and seasonings to create burgers that are exclusive to their restaurant and juicy. Because each burger is handcrafted, the quality is unmatched by frozen substitutes. “We serve 40 sorts of beverages and 50-60 variety of cuisine,” Hema continued.
They also provide a variety of regional cuisines, including Thai food, Chinese fried rice, tomyam, and Singapore mee hoon. “The best-selling beverage in our shop is Lab coffee, where we will serve mocha utilizing apparatus to offer a lab-like look,” Hema said. She also talked about another well-liked “Cold Brew Coffee” that takes a whole day to brew the beans, depending on availability.
Piccolo’s Lab Coffee 
Piccolo’s Cold Brew Coffee
One of the highlights of Hemaji’s entrepreneurial journey was catering for Nayanthara’s son’s birthday celebration last year, where her food left a lasting impression on the renowned actress. The famous actress was so impressed with her meal that it stayed with her. Hemaji is inspired to keep striving for perfection in her trade by such events. Hemaji stated, “I was given an opportunity by my friend Vigneswari @Vyna to demonstrate my dishes and drinks as she served cakes and pastries.”
“This indicates that the food we served had a profoundly positive impact on their hearts and stomachs. I was ecstatic, and it inspires me to do better moving forward. People must be compelled to try our dish again after they’ve had a taste.”
However, Hemaji’s journey has not been without its challenges. Financial hurdles posed significant obstacles, requiring sacrifices and strategic planning to navigate. Yet, Hemaji’s unwavering determination and self-discipline propelled her forward, never allowing setbacks to dim her spirit. In the face of adversity, Hemaji offers valuable insights on overcoming struggles in business perseverance, self-discipline, and humility. She emphasizes the importance of staying humble, even in the face of success, and constantly seeking self-improvement.” I used to have to give up a lot to succeed in business over the long haul. For four years, we never spent the profits for personal expenses instead, I invested the money back into my company. This is how we achieved financial parity in our business,” Hema explained.
Partnerships have been instrumental in Hemaji’s journey, with each member contributing their unique strengths to the businesses. Whether it’s Chef Gayathri’s culinary expertise or Sinthu’s creativity, collaboration has been key to their collective success. She also stated that, “So called my friends and business partners, Gayathiri and Sinthu, and I labored without pay for two years to reinvest our profits.”
Hemaji with her father
Hema acknowledges that their father wasn’t thrilled when she decided to pursue entrepreneurship however he still supports and motivates her to do better. With an eye toward the future, Hemaji has ambitious plans for her businesses, including expanding their offerings and implementing student-friendly initiatives. Her marketing strategy encompasses both traditional and new mediums, leveraging social media to connect with a wider audience. She also mentioned that starting this month May they planned to give student price for all the university and college students. She is simply shining without bounds, pursuing her acting career while also working as an entrepreneur and mastering classical dance (Bharatham), which was her childhood dream. Her accomplishment proves that the sky is the limit.
“We should concentrate on our objectives and take action, rather than worrying much about what other people think. Whatever the undertaking, preparation is essential. In business, patience is essential since outcomes take time to manifest and continue moving forward. For example, I spent two years working as a staff nurse in Singapore, but I didn’t limit myself to that position. I wouldn’t be here as a successful person if I hadn’t taken the risk of resigning from my nursing career,” she added.
Here’s to Hemaji, blazing a trail of success in all her future adventures!
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