Hi, I'm Anjuli, founder of Be Bhalo, here seeking a loan through the DreamxAmerica-Kiva Special Initiative to help me recover from unexpected financial setbacks I encountered during the pandemic. I’ve been in the food and restaurant industry for 20 years, working in various positions from line cook to head chef. It seems like I haven't left the kitchen since finishing culinary school in 2005 from Johnson & Wales. I left my last employer, Pixar Animation Studios in 2019 to pursue my dream. I have a desire to use my understanding of foods and nutrition to make one's taste buds come alive like Frankenstein's creation :)
I've always enjoyed cooking for people. It's the way I show love. It started back when I was just a small child, visiting my dad's family in West Bengal India. My Thakurma (grandma) and her sisters would prepare beautiful, elaborate lunches for the family daily. Watching the 3 sisters cook these extravagant meals stuck with me and showed me the importance of family and food. My dad was taught, he passes his knowledge to me and now it's my turn to share.
Placing greater importance on my health, I began changing the foods I eat. Years ago I started studying nutrients in relation to the human body, and the foods they come from, and I never looked back...and never have I felt better. My love for organic foods & cooking them is only second to my love for family.
My parents, 2 sisters, and I are very close, and I'm very thankful. My dog Phoenix and cat Sammy are the cutest animals on the planet (with all other animals in a close 2nd place tie). I also love being outdoors, hiking with Phoenix, or grilling veggies in the backyard.
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Funded
A loan helped a woman-owned local, organic snack food and meal prep company launch its products.
Anjuli's story
This loan is special because:
More about this loan
Business Description
Be Bhalo is inspired by my journey of trying to be good with my eating habits. Bhalo is the Bengali word for "good.” Be Bhalo encourages you to eat good and as a result, feel good - while being good to all beings
Be Bhalo is a futuristic food company, specializing in local, organic & seasonal freeze-dried snacks and meal prep. We share a commercial kitchen in lovely Napa, Ca. We'll work from here but plan to sell online to start. Be Bhalo was formed with the intention of adding some nutrition to the world of “fast” food. Local organic fruits and vegetables transformed to create a whole new world of cooking possibilities. Be Bhalo's meal prep products help make dinner a breeze -- fast and flavorful. Be Bhalo snacks - “Bhalo Bites" are crunchy and crispy, delicious and delightful. These nutrient-dense bites are made with your health in mind, consisting of all whole, real foods with no strange additives. Everything is handmade; most products are vegan, organic, gluten-free, and have no sugar added. There are a couple of exceptions in which dairy and sugar are used, but still organic and local.
Be Bhalo's product isn’t just good for people, but for the planet too – down to the packaging. I didn't want to sell anything if it meant selling in packaging harmful to Earth. After a lot of research, I was able to source all components as compostable or recyclable. Packaging, labels, adhesive, boxes, tape, and gloves used while preparing the snacks are Earth-friendly. Our bags decompose in water, above and below ground. We may not be able to stop the packaging from finding the ocean, but if it does it will decompose in a short time and leave behind only a small amount of bio-mass.
What is the purpose of this loan?
I will use the loan for three purposes:
1. Development of my own room inside the commercial kitchen, as the current location is improper for work. This new room requires conversion from an office space, to a food processing/prep room that will need to meet the requirements of the health department. The flooring, wall, and ceiling will need to be covered with proper materials. A shelving unit and prep table will be purchased new, as well as needing to widen the door to fit the machine. I am responsible for all fees regarding my new workspace, with a price break on the rent from the owner coming back to me.
2. A packing machine; to help speed up the bagging process. Even a small bag sealer would help a lot,
3. Custom packaging. I’m currently planning on using blank stock bags and adding stickers to them, I was looking to place a custom packaging order. Stock bags will work and they look pretty good but could be more attractive. Also, thicker bags with a higher moisture and oxygen barrier to them. This would allow a longer shelf life for the product. A custom packaging order would solve this but the manufacturer does not sell under 10,000 custom bags per order and that is not affordable for me starting out. There is only one manufacturer of such bags, making negotiations a little more difficult.
Loan details
Loan length:
Repayment schedule
Monthly: One repayment made per month
End of term: One repayment made at the end of the loan term
Irregular: Any other repayment schedule
To see a detailed repayment schedule for a specific loan, click the "Repayment schedule" link on the loan profile under "Loan details."
What is the disbursed date?
In the case of partner loans, many of our Lending Partners choose to disburse loan funds before the loan request is posted on Kiva. We allow pre-disbursal because it ensures that the funds reach the borrower as soon as they are needed. Loan funds from Kiva lenders then go to backfill that amount and as a lender you assume the risk of the loan. By doing this, our Lending Partners assume the risk that, if the loan isn't funded by lenders, they will have to fund the loan without any funds from Kiva.
If a partner loan is not pre-disbursed, it will be listed on Kiva with an expected "post-disbursed" date. If a post-disbursed loan is not funded on Kiva, there is a chance that the borrower may not receive their loan. Some Lending Partners choose to disburse loans with other sources of funding, while other partners don't have the resources available to fund loans without Kiva lenders' support. No direct loans will be disbursed unless they fully fundraise on Kiva.
Funding model
What does "Partner covers currency loss" mean & how could it affect my Kiva loans?
Potential for currency exchange loss is noted on every loan profile under the loan details:
"Yes" means the Lending Partner will cover any currency loss. Lenders will not bear losses due to currency fluctuation
"Partial" means that the Lending Partner has opted to cover losses only up to 10%. If the U.S. dollar appreciates more than 10% against the local currency, those losses will be passed onto lenders.
"No" means that the Lending Partner is not covering any currency losses and all losses will be passed onto lenders.
"N/A" means the Lending Partner disburses loans to borrowers in USD so their loans are not subject to any currency fluctuation.
Do Kiva borrowers pay any interest on their loans?
Our partners collect interest from borrowers because there are many operational expenses associated with microfinance in developing markets, especially in rural areas. Many of Kiva's Lending Partners also provide additional services alongside their loan products such as business training, financial literacy lessons, or health services.
Kiva will not partner with an organization that charges unreasonable interest rates, and we require Lending Partners to fully disclose their rates. In addition, we only partner with microfinance institutions and organizations that have a social mission to serve the poor, unbanked, and underserved.
There are some 0% interest loans on Kiva, including all direct loans in the United States. To learn more about the interest rates Kiva borrowers pay, you can review the "Average cost to borrower" field on a loan profile.
We also encourage you to read the following articles if you are interested in further educating yourself on the topic: Microfinance 101 (https://www.kiva.org/microfinance), Top 10 things to know about microfinance (https://www.kiva.org/blog/top-10-things-to-know-about-microfinance), Microfinance interest rates explained (https://www.kiva.org/blog/whats-up-with-microfinance-interest-rates)
What is a risk rating?
The Lending Partner risk rating reflects the risk of institutional default associated with each of Kiva’s Lending Partners. A 0.5-star rating means the organization has a relatively higher risk of institutional default, while a 5-star rating indicates the organization is at a relatively lower risk of default, based on Kiva's analysis and the available information displayed in the Lending Partner section of every loan. Lending Partners with the lowest credit tier undergo a lighter level of due diligence and do not receive a risk rating; instead, in places where a risk rating would normally appear, these partners are labeled as “Experimental.” For more information, see "What is an Experimental Lending Partner?"
Direct loans also do not receive a formal risk rating. Instead, these loans are approved through “social underwriting”, where trustworthiness is determined by friends & family lending a portion of the loan request, or by a Kiva approved Trustee vouching for the borrower. Direct loans will appear as "Unrated" and lenders should always assume these loans represent the highest level of repayment risk on Kiva.
How are loans facilitated?
Kiva loans are facilitated through 2 models, partner and direct, that enable us to reach the greatest number of people around the world.
For partner loans, borrowers apply to a local Lending Partner, which manages the loan on the ground. Lending Partners are responsible for screening borrowers, disbursing loans, posting borrowers to the Kiva website for funding, collecting repayments and otherwise administering Kiva loans on the ground to borrowers.
For direct loans, borrowers apply through the Kiva website and may or may not be endorsed by a Trustee. Unlike Lending Partners, Trustees don't handle any financial transactions or have any duty to repay loans on behalf of their borrowers. Instead, Trustees take the role of providing support and business advice to their borrowers throughout the term of the loan.
More information about successive and concurrent loans
Most borrowers take out loans consecutively, meaning that they receive a second loan after having repaid the first. However, sometimes our Lending Partners give out concurrent loans, allowing borrowers to take out one primary loan and a secondary "add-on" loan along with it. These additional loans are typically smaller than the borrower's primary loan and serve a different purpose. We trust our partners to determine whether a borrower has the means to be able to repay a successive or concurrent loan.
About Be Bhalo
Lenders and lending teams
Country: United States
Trustee: Mona
What are Trustee tiers?
For for more information about Trustee tiers, visit: kivaushub.org/trustee-tiers
Why are you endorsing Anjuli?
Anjuli had one of the most heartwarming stories we have seen in working with many DreamxAmerica-Kiva applicants. She clearly has such a passion for her work, she has an innovative product, and her loan usage request was extremely specific and detailed.
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Loan tags help lenders find loans that match certain areas of interest.
Loan details
Loan length:
Repayment schedule
Monthly: One repayment made per month
End of term: One repayment made at the end of the loan term
Irregular: Any other repayment schedule
To see a detailed repayment schedule for a specific loan, click the "Repayment schedule" link on the loan profile under "Loan details."
What is the disbursed date?
In the case of partner loans, many of our Lending Partners choose to disburse loan funds before the loan request is posted on Kiva. We allow pre-disbursal because it ensures that the funds reach the borrower as soon as they are needed. Loan funds from Kiva lenders then go to backfill that amount and as a lender you assume the risk of the loan. By doing this, our Lending Partners assume the risk that, if the loan isn't funded by lenders, they will have to fund the loan without any funds from Kiva.
If a partner loan is not pre-disbursed, it will be listed on Kiva with an expected "post-disbursed" date. If a post-disbursed loan is not funded on Kiva, there is a chance that the borrower may not receive their loan. Some Lending Partners choose to disburse loans with other sources of funding, while other partners don't have the resources available to fund loans without Kiva lenders' support. No direct loans will be disbursed unless they fully fundraise on Kiva.
Funding model
What does "Partner covers currency loss" mean & how could it affect my Kiva loans?
Potential for currency exchange loss is noted on every loan profile under the loan details:
"Yes" means the Lending Partner will cover any currency loss. Lenders will not bear losses due to currency fluctuation
"Partial" means that the Lending Partner has opted to cover losses only up to 10%. If the U.S. dollar appreciates more than 10% against the local currency, those losses will be passed onto lenders.
"No" means that the Lending Partner is not covering any currency losses and all losses will be passed onto lenders.
"N/A" means the Lending Partner disburses loans to borrowers in USD so their loans are not subject to any currency fluctuation.
Do Kiva borrowers pay any interest on their loans?
Our partners collect interest from borrowers because there are many operational expenses associated with microfinance in developing markets, especially in rural areas. Many of Kiva's Lending Partners also provide additional services alongside their loan products such as business training, financial literacy lessons, or health services.
Kiva will not partner with an organization that charges unreasonable interest rates, and we require Lending Partners to fully disclose their rates. In addition, we only partner with microfinance institutions and organizations that have a social mission to serve the poor, unbanked, and underserved.
There are some 0% interest loans on Kiva, including all direct loans in the United States. To learn more about the interest rates Kiva borrowers pay, you can review the "Average cost to borrower" field on a loan profile.
We also encourage you to read the following articles if you are interested in further educating yourself on the topic: Microfinance 101 (https://www.kiva.org/microfinance), Top 10 things to know about microfinance (https://www.kiva.org/blog/top-10-things-to-know-about-microfinance), Microfinance interest rates explained (https://www.kiva.org/blog/whats-up-with-microfinance-interest-rates)
What is a risk rating?
The Lending Partner risk rating reflects the risk of institutional default associated with each of Kiva’s Lending Partners. A 0.5-star rating means the organization has a relatively higher risk of institutional default, while a 5-star rating indicates the organization is at a relatively lower risk of default, based on Kiva's analysis and the available information displayed in the Lending Partner section of every loan. Lending Partners with the lowest credit tier undergo a lighter level of due diligence and do not receive a risk rating; instead, in places where a risk rating would normally appear, these partners are labeled as “Experimental.” For more information, see "What is an Experimental Lending Partner?"
Direct loans also do not receive a formal risk rating. Instead, these loans are approved through “social underwriting”, where trustworthiness is determined by friends & family lending a portion of the loan request, or by a Kiva approved Trustee vouching for the borrower. Direct loans will appear as "Unrated" and lenders should always assume these loans represent the highest level of repayment risk on Kiva.
How are loans facilitated?
Kiva loans are facilitated through 2 models, partner and direct, that enable us to reach the greatest number of people around the world.
For partner loans, borrowers apply to a local Lending Partner, which manages the loan on the ground. Lending Partners are responsible for screening borrowers, disbursing loans, posting borrowers to the Kiva website for funding, collecting repayments and otherwise administering Kiva loans on the ground to borrowers.
For direct loans, borrowers apply through the Kiva website and may or may not be endorsed by a Trustee. Unlike Lending Partners, Trustees don't handle any financial transactions or have any duty to repay loans on behalf of their borrowers. Instead, Trustees take the role of providing support and business advice to their borrowers throughout the term of the loan.
More information about successive and concurrent loans
Most borrowers take out loans consecutively, meaning that they receive a second loan after having repaid the first. However, sometimes our Lending Partners give out concurrent loans, allowing borrowers to take out one primary loan and a secondary "add-on" loan along with it. These additional loans are typically smaller than the borrower's primary loan and serve a different purpose. We trust our partners to determine whether a borrower has the means to be able to repay a successive or concurrent loan.
Trustee: Mona
What are Trustee tiers?
For for more information about Trustee tiers, visit: kivaushub.org/trustee-tiers
Why are you endorsing Anjuli?
Anjuli had one of the most heartwarming stories we have seen in working with many DreamxAmerica-Kiva applicants. She clearly has such a passion for her work, she has an innovative product, and her loan usage request was extremely specific and detailed.
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