“I was just 8 when I realized I wanted to play for India. Cricket wasn’t merely a hobby; it was an obsession. I quickly rose through the ranks, representing Andhra in U-14, U-16, and U-19, eventually playing for India U-19 and South Zone. I shared dressing rooms with legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, and my NCA roommate Dinesh Karthik. I chose to study at KL University in Vijayawada specifically so I could stay close to the game.

Then came a severe thumb fracture in a local college match. Desperate for an upcoming U-19 selection game, I begged the doctor to remove the cast and played through the pain.

The injury worsened, permanently ruining my grip and ending my cricket career. Devastated, I pivoted toward a new ambition by preparing for the UPSC Civil Services. I cracked the exam twice, but missing an IAS allocation, I walked away.

In 2013, with no backup plan, I started Appoids Tech Solutions, building education ERPs for government systems. That venture grew steadily until COVID hit, forcing me to adapt. My cricketing background then led me to launch Transform Fitness, bringing tech-driven training to everyday people, which was acquired by the Apollo Group in 2021. Walking away from a secure corporate role afterward wasn’t easy, but my family backed me completely.

After my daughter was born, I experimented to create healthy treats with no sugar, no maida, and no guilt. That’s how Yummy Bee was born, offering 100% gluten-free, sugar-free, and preservative-free options. Starting as a Kukatpally cloud kitchen, strong word-of-mouth demand allowed us to expand into physical cafes and reach a wider audience.

Today, Yummy Bee stands as a rapidly growing brand expanding across India, from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, and beyond. Looking back, life didn’t go according to my original plan, but it taught me that failure is never final unless you let it be. True resilience isn’t about holding onto a broken path, it’s about having the courage to continuously rebuild yourself.”

— Sandeep Jangala