(NTI, Bangalore) : — Megna Jain, a young entrepreneur, launched her cake business Dream A Dozen in January 2018, turning her passion for baking into a successful brand. Since its inception, Dream A Dozen has grown from small home-based operations to a prominent player in corporate gifting, offering everything from customized cupcakes to curated Diwali hampers.
Starting at just 18 years old, Megna began selling cupcakes in her college cafeteria. Reflecting on her journey, she told Startup Pedia, “I started it just for fun,” recalling how she learned baking at a summer class in 2011 and transformed her hobby into a business. Born into a Rajasthani family with a love for sweets, her early days were filled with the joy of baking, supported by friends and family.
Her business saw a turning point when she won third place in a business plan competition at NIT Trichy, earning her the attention of Indian Angel Networks. However, Megna decided to complete her college degree before fully diving into entrepreneurship, although she continued baking and selling during her college years.
After graduation, she gained valuable experience working with food tech company Inner Chef and training at Cakewala. She then faced a tough decision—continue building her cake business or accept a job offer from Starbucks. Choosing her entrepreneurial dream, Megna officially launched Dream A Dozen in early 2018.
Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Megna’s resilience helped her business survive and thrive. Just days after moving to a larger commercial space in 2020, the lockdowns forced operations to halt. However, Dream A Dozen weathered the storm by adapting to the new normal, focusing on safety and supporting her employees.
One significant moment came during Diwali 2020, when Megna pivoted to creating long-shelf-life products like cookies and crackers for corporate gifting. This evolution also supported local women through collaborations with self-help groups, further strengthening the brand’s community impact. Today, Dream A Dozen’s all-women kitchen is a point of pride, with 20 regular staff and dozens of temporary workers during peak seasons.
In addition to its Western-style cakes, Dream A Dozen now embraces Indian flavors with its “Desi Gourmet Gifting” line, featuring ingredients like ghee, pistachios, and cardamom. The brand has carved a niche in the B2B market, offering over 100 SKUs and 23 curated gift hampers. Recently, the business expanded into the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space to reach individual customers.
With a focus on empowerment, Dream A Dozen has transformed the lives of many women. Megna shared the story of one former housekeeper who became the highest earner in her family after learning to bake and managing the kitchen. “We focus on young individuals, from the age of 20 to 25, and create a culture that proves anyone with zero experience can rise above their circumstances,” she said.
Financially, Dream A Dozen has grown exponentially, with revenues rising from Rs. 1-1.5 lakh per month pre-pandemic to Rs. 30 lakh in FY21, Rs. 60 lakh in FY22, and over Rs. 1 crore in FY24.
Looking ahead, Megna envisions her brand becoming a Rs. 100 crore name in the next 5-10 years. “The budding founders should understand the value of consistency. People give up too soon. Sometimes, you win just by staying in the race,” she advised.
Dream A Dozen’s journey is a testament to Megna Jain’s perseverance, innovation, and commitment to empowering others through entrepreneurship.
