Sometimes the most remarkable journeys begin in the unlikeliest of places. Shazmin Ismail has gone from experimenting with food in her home kitchen to being a successful food & hospitality entrepreneur who has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. She manages her dual roles of being a loving wife and a mother to two boys along with being the CEO & Director of Epiq Foods & Restaurants with elan. We caught up with her to get a sneak peek into her inspiring story, challenges along the way, and the unwavering family support that propelled her to entrepreneurial success.
As a family that loves to travel, Shazmin and her loved ones often found themselves longing for the flavors and experiences they encountered during their adventures abroad. Motivated by the desire to bring those delightful tastes back home, Shazmin embarked on a journey into the world of food and beverages in 2018 with the brand ‘All The Batter’. By actively participating in numerous Street Food Festival events in Colombo, she gained valuable insights from customers which helped refine her approach and focus on delivering the best culinary experiences to her customers.
Even as ‘All The Batter’ thrived in its space, Shazmin desired a bigger scale and more customers. This led to the brand EPI-Q, which would provide a more versatile and efficient dining experience. In September 2019, EPI-Q Express Gourmet, a casual dining restaurant, opened its doors, offering fine food served in a casual manner. As word got around, EPI-Q quickly became one of Colombo’s top-rated restaurants.
With an aim to go even beyond the walk-in customers at her restaurant, Shazmin now listed her business on the Uber Eats app. It was a match made in heaven – EPI-Q’s epic taste combined with the convenience, speed, and efficiency that defines Uber Eats, and reached a significantly larger audience and led to a deeper interest in their offerings. In fact, when COVID hit, Uber Eats helped EPI-Q keep the lights on and continue serving a stream of customers online.
EPI-Q embraced the technological tools offered by Uber Eats, leveraging their backend systems to analyze ordering patterns, volumes, and most significantly, customer reviews. The ability to analyze and respond to customer feedback allowed Shazmin and her team to continually improve the quality of their food and beverages. This commitment to excellence ensured that EPI-Q consistently delivered a memorable experience – whether in dine-in or online orders.
Shazmin acknowledges the pivotal role played by her husband, both as her spouse and business partner. His unwavering support and partnership were instrumental in navigating the challenges and celebrating the triumphs along their entrepreneurial journey. Together, they have built a successful business, defying societal expectations and inspiring others with their story.
Shazmin’s extraordinary journey from housewife to CEO is a testament to her courage, determination, and relentless pursuit of her dreams. She remains committed to bringing even more culinary delights to the people of Sri Lanka and aims to continue making a positive impact in the food and beverage industry. Her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, reminding us that with determination, support, and a commitment to excellence, any dream can be turned into a reality.