Shadow Bites

Group Project Report

Sl. No. Reg. No. Student Name Department
1 23ADIN419008 Richa Singh FAD(ID)
2 23ADID006023 Vasudha B V FAD(PD)
3 23ADID006017 Reshmitha T S FAD(PD)
4 23ADIN419011 Bhadra M S FAD(ID)
5 23ADIN006019 Nanthitha S FAD(PD)

Professor/Mentor : Ravi Sir

05/12/2024
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
M. S. RAMAIAH UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Bengaluru - 560054

Shadow Bites

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 Declaration

SHADOW BITES

The Group Project report submitted herewith is a result of our own work and in
conformance to the guidelines against plagiarism as laid out in the University Student
Handbook. All sections of the text and results which have been obtained from other
sources are fully referenced. We understand that cheating and plagiarism constitute a
breach of University regulations and will be dealt with accordingly.

Sl. No. Reg. No. Student Name Department Signature

01 23ADIN419008 Richa Singh FAD(ID)
02 23ADID006023 Vasudha B V FAD(PD)
03 23ADID006017 Reshmitha T S FAD(PD)
04 23ADIN419011 Bhadra M S FAD(ID)
05 23ADIN006019 Nanthitha S FAD(PD)

Date : 05/12/2024

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 Acknowledgements

We are deeply grateful to [Link] shankar, our esteemed mentor, for his invaluable
guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this project. His insights and
constructive feedback have been instrumental in shaping our work.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Director, Center for Entrepreneurship at M. S.

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, for providing us with the platform and
resources to undertake this project.

Our sincere thanks to the Head of the Department and the Faculty Dean for their
constant support and inspiration, which motivated us to explore this domain with
enthusiasm.

We also acknowledge the contributions of our peers and the feedback we received from
the students during our validation and implementation phases, which helped us refine
and strengthen our ideas.

Finally, we would like to thank all those who assisted us directly or indirectly during the
execution of this project, including hostel residents, for their encouragement and
cooperation in helping us realize our entrepreneurial vision.

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 Abstract

The project “Shadow Bites” addresses the challenge of late-night hunger among students
living in hostels. The motivation for this project stems from the frequent difficulty faced
by students in accessing affordable and quick snack options during odd hours.
Recognizing the gap in the availability of convenient food delivery within hostels, we
aimed to create a service that caters specifically to this need.

The scope of this project includes providing curated snack options through an affordable
and efficient delivery system. Using a combination of market research, customer
feedback, and competitor analysis, we developed a model that meets the unique
demands of hostel students. Methodologies such as interviews, surveys, and direct
observations were employed to validate the demand and refine the service design.

The results highlight strong student interest in instant and affordable snacks delivered
within minutes. The financial analysis demonstrates a sustainable profit margin, while
customer validation confirms the practicality and desirability of our offering. The project
concludes that “Shadow Bites” is a viable and impactful venture for addressing late-night
hunger in hostel environments.

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 Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 2
Abstract 3
Table of Contents 4
1. Introduction 5
2. Customer Value Proposition 6
3. Problem/Project Idea 7
4. Team Formation 8
5. Opportunity Evaluation 9
6. Initial Assumptions 10
7. Assumptions Test 11
8. Critical Insights 13
9. Resources Used 14
10. Progress Made 15
11. Key Learnings 16
12. Biggest Hurdles 18
13. Greatest Assets 19
14. Team Member Contribution 20

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 1. Introduction

The proposed project, Shadow Bites, is designed to address the challenge of late-night
hunger faced by hostel students, focusing on providing a convenient, affordable, and
discreet snack delivery service. This service is particularly relevant in the context of
student life, where many students experience hunger during the late-night hours, but
are unable to access affordable food options due to limitations in delivery services and
hostel restrictions.

Research Issues to Explore:

The project aims to explore several key research issues related to student behavior, food
preferences, and the feasibility of establishing a service-based venture within a hostel
environment:

● Student Snacking Behavior: What are the preferred snacks and eating patterns of
students, particularly during late-night hours?
● Demand for Delivery Services: Is there a significant demand for quick and
affordable snack delivery, and what are students' attitudes towards such
services?
● Operational Challenges: What logistical challenges are faced in delivering snacks
within a hostel environment, and how can these be efficiently addressed?

Core Theme of the Project:

The central focus of Shadow Bites is providing a solution to the specific problem of
late-night hunger among hostel students. By focusing on affordability, speed, and
discretion, this project intends to fill a gap in the market for students who often struggle

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with hunger after regular food services close. Through strategic inventory management
and effective marketing, Shadow Bites aims to offer a dependable service that supports
students' lifestyles while remaining financially sustainable.

Significance of the Project:

The significance of this project lies in its ability to enhance student well-being by
addressing a common yet overlooked issue—late-night hunger. By offering a quick,
affordable, and private food delivery service, Shadow Bites ensures that students can
continue their studies or leisure activities without interruption, improving their overall
quality of life. Moreover, the project offers valuable insights into the viability of
student-centered service businesses and the potential for growth within niche markets.

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 2. Customer Value Proposition
________________________________________________________________________

The customer value proposition of Shadow Bites is to fulfill the late-night hunger needs
of hostel students by offering a reliable, affordable, and convenient snack delivery
service.

What Job Does the Venture Do for the User?

1. Quick Satisfaction of Hunger:

Provides instant access to a variety of snacks like noodles, chips, energy bars, and
drinks, ensuring students don’t have to compromise on their productivity or sleep
due to hunger.
2. Convenient Delivery:
Offers discreet, doorstep delivery within 5 minutes, eliminating the need for
students to step out or interact socially late at night.
3. Affordable Solutions:
Ensures pricing aligns with student budgets, avoiding high costs associated with
conventional delivery apps or external eateries.
4. Tailored Options:
Includes curated snack combos suitable for solo consumption or group activities,
catering to both study sessions and casual hangouts.

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3. Problem/Project Idea
The idea for Shadow Bites emerged from firsthand observations and experiences as
hostel residents. Late-night hunger was a recurring issue faced by students, often
accompanied by frustration due to the lack of accessible and affordable food options.
Mess facilities were closed, nearby eateries were too far, and delivery apps were either
unavailable during late hours or too expensive for students on tight [Link] to
this challenge, the girls' hostel had strict rules prohibiting food orders after 11:30 PM

This common problem sparked the realization of a significant gap in services tailored to
hostel environments. To validate this idea, informal conversations with peers revealed
that many shared the same struggles, describing late-night cravings as a frequent
distraction during study sessions or leisure activities.

Recognizing this unmet need, the team conceptualized a solution that would offer
instant access to snacks within the hostel premises, combining affordability,
convenience, and a student-centric approach. Shadow Bites was born out of the vision to
address this specific pain point, ensuring students have one less worry during their busy
academic lives.

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 4. Team Formation
The SHADOW BITES team was formed with a shared connection to the problem we
aimed to solve—late-night hunger among hostel students. All five of us were hostel
residents, which allowed us to deeply relate to the challenges faced by students who
often struggle to find affordable, accessible food during odd hours. This personal
connection provided valuable insights into the problem and motivated us to work
together to find a solution.

Our roles were assigned based on our strengths and experiences:

● Richa and Bhadra took on the creative leads, designing eye-catching posters,
menus, and promotional content.
● Vasudha BV led operations, managing the inventory and overseeing the setup of
the service.
● Reshmitha and Nanthitha focused on financial planning, ensuring that the
project was cost-effective and profitable.

This combination of shared experience and diverse perspectives allowed us to create a

well-rounded and efficient team, ensuring that the SHADOW BITES project was tailored
to meet the specific needs of our target audience.

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 5. Opportunity Evaluation

To figure out if Shadow Bites was worth pursuing, we dug into the late-night hunger
problem and discovered just how big the need was among hostel students:

1. Surveys and Feedback:

We ran a quick survey among 230 hostel residents and found that 60% of them
faced regular late-night hunger. Students expressed frustration with the current
options, such as waiting forever for deliveries, walking long distances at odd
hours, or simply going to bed hungry. An additional challenge in the girls' hostel
was the strict rule prohibiting food orders after 11:30 PM, which left students
with no viable late-night snack options.
2. Competitor Analysis:
We checked out the existing options like local snack stores and food delivery
apps. The major issues? Long delivery times, high prices, and hidden fees. None
of them offered the convenience or affordability students wanted.
3. Market Demand:
Around 30 students needed snacks during peak late-night hours. Instant noodles,
chips, and energy drinks topped the cravings list. It was clear there was a solid
demand we could meet easily and quickly.

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 4. Peer Validation:
When we shared the idea with fellow students, they loved it. Many said they
would definitely use the service if it was available. Their excitement told us we
were solving a real problem.

Post-Launch Success:
After starting operations, the response was even better than we expected. Our sales
quickly picked up, and we started making a good profit, which showed that students
were happy to pay for the convenience and reliability we offered. It confirmed that
Shadow Bites was not just a great idea but also a financially sustainable one.

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 6. Initial Assumptions
When we started Shadow Bites, we had a few key assumptions about our customers and
what we could offer:

1. Customer Behavior:
○ Students would prefer quick and discreet delivery over stepping out to
buy snacks late at night.
○ Most of our target audience (18–25-year-old hostel students) would value
convenience over cost, as long as the prices were reasonable.
2. Snack Preferences:
○ Popular items like instant noodles, chips, chocolates, and energy drinks
would dominate the demand list.
○ Group snack combos would be a hit during study sessions or late-night
hangouts.
3. Affordability:
○ Students wouldn’t mind paying slightly more than retail prices for the
convenience of doorstep delivery, but pricing had to stay within a
budget-friendly range.
4. Operational Feasibility:
○ Setting up the service within the hostel premises would eliminate delivery
delays and reduce costs.
○ Managing inventory wouldn’t be too challenging, as we assumed demand
would remain consistent during peak late-night hours.
5. Market Demand:
○ There would be enough regular late-night snackers (20-25) to make the
venture viable.

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These assumptions guided the initial design of Shadow Bites, from the menu selection to
the pricing and delivery system. Some of them were validated as we moved forward,
while others needed adjustments based on actual feedback and operations.

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 7. Assumptions Test
To validate our initial assumptions for Shadow Bites, we conducted a series of tests and
gathered insights using interviews, observations, and real-world feedback. Here's how
we tested each assumption:

Customer Behavior

● Method: We interviewed 30 hostel students aged 18–25 to understand their

preferences for late-night snacks and delivery services.
● Findings:
○ Over 80% of students expressed a preference for quick and discreet
delivery, confirming our assumption.
○ Most students indicated that convenience was their priority, but they also
emphasized the need for pricing to remain within their limited budgets.

Snack Preferences

● Method: We surveyed students to rank their top snack preferences and

monitored initial orders to identify trends.
● Findings:
○ Instant noodles, chips, chocolates, and energy drinks consistently topped
the list, validating our assumption.
○ Group snack combos were less popular than expected, as students
preferred individualized options.

Affordability

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 ● Method: We tested pricing by offering snacks at varying rates and collected
feedback through order satisfaction surveys.
● Findings:
○ Students were willing to pay slightly more than retail prices for the
convenience of delivery, as long as the prices did not exceed a 20%
markup.
○ Feedback indicated that pricing transparency was crucial to maintaining
trust.

Operational Feasibility

● Method: We operated the service for a trial period within the hostel to monitor
delivery times and inventory management.
● Findings:
○ Deliveries within the hostel eliminated delays and ensured snacks arrived
fresh.
○ Inventory management proved more challenging than expected, as
demand varied significantly on weekends and during exam seasons.

Market Demand

● Method: We tracked orders during peak hours (10 PM–3 AM) over two weeks to
measure consistency in demand.
● Findings:
○ The average number of daily snackers was 15-20, aligning closely with our
assumption. However, fluctuations in demand required adjustments to
inventory stocking practices.

Key Adjustments Based on Feedback

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 ● Simplified the menu to focus on the most popular snacks.
● Introduced flexible pricing to account for individual and group orders.
● Adjusted inventory levels to match varying demand patterns more effectively.

These tests allowed us to refine our business model and align Shadow Bites with the
actual needs and preferences of our target audience.

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 8. Critical Insights

Insights That Strengthened Our Assumptions

1. Preference for Quick and Discreet Delivery:

Over 80% of students emphasized the importance of quick, private deliveries,
confirming our assumption that discretion would be a key value proposition.
Action Taken:
○ Designed a delivery system focused on speed and privacy, ensuring
minimal interaction during drop-offs.
2. Affordability as a Priority:
The feedback validated our assumption that students prioritize convenience but
remain highly price-sensitive. While they accepted a slight markup, pricing
transparency was crucial to earning their trust.
Action Taken:
○ Communicated pricing clearly through menus and order confirmations to
maintain transparency.
3. Popular Snack Preferences:
Instant noodles, chips, chocolates, and energy drinks were ranked as the most
preferred items, aligning with our initial predictions.
Action Taken:
○ Streamlined the menu to focus on these high-demand items, reducing
complexity in operations and inventory management.

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Insights That Challenged Our Assumptions

1. Demand for Group Combos:

While we assumed group combos would be popular, students preferred
individualized orders tailored to their specific tastes.
Action Taken:
○ Shifted focus from promoting group combos to offering personalized
bundles for individual customers.
○ Retained the option of group combos but introduced customizable snack
packs to cater to individual preferences.
2. Operational Feasibility Challenges:
Inventory management was more difficult than expected due to demand
fluctuations during weekends and exam seasons.
Action Taken:
○ Implemented demand forecasting based on patterns observed during the
trial period, adjusting inventory levels dynamically.
○ Introduced a pre-ordering system to better plan inventory and avoid
overstocking or stockouts during peak periods.
3. Consistency in Market Demand:
Although the average number of daily snackers aligned with our assumptions,
fluctuations during specific periods required operational adjustments.
Action Taken:
○ Identified peak times (e.g., weekends and exams) and allocated resources
accordingly to ensure sufficient stock and faster service.

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Key Takeaways and Refinements

The insights from testing and feedback allowed us to:

● Simplify Operations: By focusing on the most popular snacks and reducing menu
complexity, we streamlined inventory management and improved delivery times.
● Adjust Pricing Strategies: Flexible pricing for individual and group orders ensured
we catered to a wider range of customer needs without losing trust.
● Enhance Customer Trust: Pricing transparency and responsiveness to feedback
fostered loyalty among the target audience.

These actions refined Shadow Bites’ business model, ensuring it was more closely
aligned with the actual needs and preferences of our customers.

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 9. Resources Used

Resources Used

1. Financial Resources:
○ Initial funding of ₹600 was utilized for purchasing inventory and packaging
materials.
○ Goods were procured from retail stores and supermarkets where
promotional offers like "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" or discounts of up to 50% were
available. This strategy allowed the team to purchase goods at
significantly reduced prices and sell them at full retail value, ensuring a
profit margin of approximately 50% per product sold.
2. Material Resources:
○ Core inventory consisted of high-demand snacks such as instant noodles,
chips, chocolates, and energy drinks.
○ Promotional materials, including posters and WhatsApp messages, were
used to create awareness and attract customers.
3. Human Resources:
○ Each team member contributed their expertise to ensure the project ran
smoothly:
■ Creative Team (Richa and Bhadra): Designed marketing materials
and established a visual identity for the brand.
■ Budgeting Team (Nanthitha and Reshmitha): Strategized pricing
and tracked finances to maintain profitability.
■ Operations Lead (Vasudha): Managed inventory procurement,
delivery logistics, and ensured stock availability.
4. Infrastructure Resources:

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 ○ The hostel premises were used as the operational base, minimizing
logistics costs and enabling faster deliveries.

Effectual Principles Applied

1. Start with Your Means:

The project was initiated by leveraging accessible resources:
○ Knowledge of hostel life and late-night snacking habits.
○ Personal skills in creative design, logistics, and financial planning.
○ Utilizing existing infrastructure (the hostel) to avoid additional expenses.
2. Affordable Loss:
By limiting the initial investment to ₹600 and adopting cost-saving procurement
strategies, the team minimized financial risk. Offers from supermarkets further
ensured efficient use of funds, maximizing inventory without exceeding the
budget.
3. Crazy Quilt:
Collaboration and partnerships were essential for success:
○ Input from hostel residents helped refine the menu and pricing model.
○ Support from the hostel management enabled operational efficiency.

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New Resources Discovered

1. Promotional Offers as a Resource:

○ By identifying and leveraging supermarket deals, the team consistently
procured snacks at reduced prices. This approach not only increased
profit margins but also ensured the availability of popular items.
2. Feedback as a Resource:
○ Regular feedback from customers provided valuable insights for refining
the menu, pricing, and service delivery.
3. Social Media as a Marketing Tool:
○ WhatsApp became a vital channel for sharing the menu, promoting offers,
and streamlining the ordering process, proving both cost-effective and
impactful.

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People Reached Out to for Help

1. Hostel Management:
○ Facilitated permissions for running the service and delivering snacks
directly to rooms, ensuring smooth operations.
2. Peers and Residents:
○ Fellow hostel students acted as early adopters, provided feedback, and
helped promote the service within the community.
3. Retailers and Supermarkets:
○ Discounted goods and promotional offers from supermarkets were critical
for maintaining the affordability and profitability of the service.

Challenges Faced with Resources and People

1. Unreliable Stock:
○ Depending on retail offers sometimes resulted in limited stock availability,
requiring adjustments in inventory management and sourcing.
2. Person Who Wasn’t Helpful:
○ Some peers who were expected to assist with promotion or provide
insights showed limited interest, slightly hampering initial outreach.

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 10. Progress Made
Since launching Shadow Bites, we have made significant strides in terms of product
development, customer engagement, and sales:

1. Product/Prototype/MVP:
○ We developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that includes a simple,
user-friendly snack menu, affordable pricing, and a delivery service that
guarantees snacks are delivered within 5 minutes.
○ The MVP was tested through a soft launch in the hostel, allowing us to
refine the offering based on direct customer feedback.
2. Customer Engagement and Sales:
○ We have serviced 50+ customers during the initial trial period. The
majority of orders came in during peak late-night hours, confirming the
demand for our service.
○ In terms of sales, we made ₹1100 in revenue from the first batch of
orders, with a profit of ₹500 after covering initial inventory and
operational costs.
3. Future Plans:
○ Based on the positive feedback from customers, the demand, and the
profits from our initial sales, we are confident that Shadow Bites has the
potential to grow.
○ We plan to proceed with the idea, scaling up the service by increasing our
inventory, expanding the marketing efforts, and streamlining operations
to serve more students efficiently.
○ We aim to continue building customer loyalty through loyalty programs
and consistent service, ensuring long-term sustainability.

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In conclusion, the success of the MVP and the positive response from customers indicate
that the project has a solid foundation, and we are excited to move forward with it.

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 11. Key Learnings

Through the process of building and launching Shadow Bites, we gained valuable insights
that will help us grow as entrepreneurs:

1. Customer Feedback is Crucial:

The most important lesson was the power of customer feedback. Listening to
what students wanted—such as quick delivery, affordable snacks, and discrete
service—helped us shape our offerings and ensure we were solving a real
problem. Regular feedback allowed us to make quick improvements to our
service.
2. The Importance of Market Research:
Doing proper research was key to validating our assumptions. We initially
thought the demand might be lower, but surveys and direct conversations with
students confirmed that late-night hunger was a frequent problem. Competitor
analysis also helped us understand the gaps in existing services, positioning
Shadow Bites as a more convenient and affordable alternative.
3. Simplicity Works Best:
Our simple approach to the product—easy-to-order snacks with no hidden fees
or complicated processes—was the most effective. Keeping the business model
straightforward helped us stay focused on delivering what students actually
needed, without overcomplicating things.
4. Operations Can Be Challenging but Manageable:
Managing inventory and handling quick deliveries were some of the most
challenging aspects of the project. However, we learned to adjust by staying

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 flexible, anticipating demand, and working closely with local suppliers to ensure
we had enough stock.
5. Marketing is Essential:
We realized that even the best product won’t sell if people don’t know about it.
Word-of-mouth marketing, social media posts, and well-designed posters were
crucial in spreading the word. Engaging with students through memes and
relatable content helped us build a connection with our audience.
6. Financial Planning is Key to Sustainability:
Managing costs while keeping prices affordable for students was a fine balance.
We learned how important it is to track expenses and adjust prices or offerings to
maintain profitability while ensuring the service remains attractive to customers.
7. Teamwork Makes a Huge Difference:
Working with a diverse team, where everyone contributed their
strengths—whether in creativity, finance, or operations—was a huge advantage.
Our team dynamic and collaboration were crucial to the success of the project.

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 12. Biggest Hurdles

Starting Shadow Bites came with its fair share of challenges. The most significant hurdles
we faced included:

1. Securing Permissions:
One of the biggest challenges was getting approval from the hostel warden to
operate within the hostel premises. Without this permission, we wouldn't have
been able to reach our target customers. It took a lot of convincing and
discussions to ensure we were in line with hostel rules and regulations.
2. Inventory Management:
Managing the initial inventory was tricky. We had to predict demand accurately
without overstocking, as students' snack preferences could change quickly. There
were instances where we ran out of stock on popular items, and we had to
scramble to get more supplies quickly.
3. Operational Challenges:
Ensuring timely delivery within 5 minutes during peak hours was harder than
expected. Managing deliveries while handling orders, inventory, and customer
queries was a juggling act. Finding the right balance between speed and quality
was a constant challenge, especially in a hostel environment.
4. Marketing and Building Awareness:
Getting the word out about Shadow Bites was difficult at the start. Although we
had a great idea, reaching students and making sure they knew about the service
required consistent effort. Creating engaging content and building a loyal
customer base took more time than anticipated.

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 5. Maintaining Profitability:
Keeping prices affordable while ensuring the venture remained profitable was a
constant balancing act. While we wanted to cater to student budgets, we also
needed to make sure that each sale covered costs and contributed to long-term
sustainability.

The most difficult part of starting the venture was managing inventory and operations
during the initial phase. There were a lot of moving parts, from ensuring we had enough
stock to managing fast deliveries, and it required a lot of fine-tuning and learning along
the way.

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 13. Greatest Assets

Starting Shadow Bites came with a mix of challenges and opportunities. Despite the
obstacles, several assets stood out as key factors contributing to the venture's growth
and success:

1. Proximity to Target Audience (Hostel Location)

The biggest asset was the direct access to our target market—hostel students. Operating
within the hostel itself meant that we didn't need to worry about high rental or delivery
costs. This advantage allowed us to offer affordable prices while ensuring quick
deliveries.

Why it was an Asset:

● The convenience of being within the hostel meant that we could cater to the
late-night needs of students, who were the primary consumers of our product.
● Operating within a familiar environment allowed us to make quick adjustments
based on customer feedback.

2. Strong Team Collaboration

Our team’s ability to collaborate effectively was another significant asset. With each
member playing to their strengths—creative design, budgeting, operations, and
marketing—we were able to tackle various aspects of the business simultaneously and
efficiently.

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3. Affordable Procurement Strategy

Leveraging promotions and offers like “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” or 50% discounts at retail
stores and supermarkets gave us a major advantage. This allowed us to keep our costs
low and profit margins high, which is crucial for maintaining the affordability of the
service.

Why it was an Asset:

● The ability to acquire goods at a significant discount meant we could sell them at
full retail price, ensuring a strong profit margin.
● This strategy helped us maintain competitive pricing while keeping operations
profitable.

4. Flexibility and Ability to Adapt

Shadow Bites’ ability to adjust quickly to feedback and changing conditions was an asset.
Whether it was adjusting the menu, changing the delivery process, or fine-tuning
inventory management, we were able to pivot quickly based on real-time insights.

Why it was an Asset:

● The ability to adapt and respond to feedback from our customers allowed us to
improve the service over time, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention.
● We were able to make real-time operational changes to meet fluctuating
demand, keeping the service running smoothly.

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Easiest Part of Starting the Venture

While starting Shadow Bites involved many challenges, some aspects were relatively
easier:

1. Identifying the Problem and Market Demand

The most straightforward part of the process was identifying the problem—late-night
hunger among hostel students—and recognizing that there was a significant demand for
a solution. The gap in the market for affordable, quick, and discreet food delivery within
hostels was clear from the outset.

Why it was easy:

● The problem was very real and relatable, and the demand was immediate and
observable within the hostel community.
● We didn't need to conduct extensive market research or elaborate studies to
know that students would appreciate a service like Shadow Bites.

2. Establishing a Simple Business Model

Shadow Bites’ business model was simple and easy to understand: procure snacks at
discounted prices, sell them at full price, and deliver them to students' doors. This
simplicity made it easy to implement the service quickly without overly complex logistics
or operations.

Why it was easy:

● The concept was simple to communicate, both within the team and to the target
audience.

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 ● The lack of significant upfront investments in technology or infrastructure made
execution smoother.

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 14. Team Member Contribution

The success of Shadow Bites was a result of the collaborative efforts of each team
member. Each individual brought unique skills to the project, ensuring that every aspect
of the business—from design and marketing to financial management and
operations—was executed effectively. Below is a detailed breakdown of each team
member’s contributions:

1. Richa and Bhadra – Creative Leads (Posters, Menu Design, and Marketing
Campaigns)

Roles:
Richa and Bhadra worked together as Creative Leads, responsible for the visual identity
of Shadow Bites, including designing marketing materials and handling social media
campaigns. Their combined efforts in branding and content creation were essential to
establishing the company’s presence among students.

Contributions:

● Brand Identity and Design: Richa and Bhadra collaboratively designed visually
appealing posters, flyers, and menus. They ensured that the materials were
vibrant, eye-catching, and relatable to the student audience.
● Menu Design: They worked on creating a simple yet attractive menu layout that
aligned with the brand’s identity. The menu design was key to making the service
easy for students to understand and access.

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Menu:

● Marketing Campaigns: Both were responsible for creating and executing

marketing strategies, including social media posts, memes, polls, and direct
communication via WhatsApp to engage the student community. Their efforts
helped build awareness and promote Shadow Bites in a fun, student-centric way.

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 ● Brand Consistency: They ensured that all visual materials, from social media
posts to physical promotional materials, maintained a consistent look and feel
that aligned with the brand image.

2. Nanthitha and Reshmitha – Financial Planning and Inventory Management

Roles:
Nanthitha and Reshmitha managed the financial aspects of the business while also
overseeing inventory management. Their combined efforts ensured that the venture
remained financially sustainable while maintaining an adequate stock of products to
meet demand.

Contributions:

● Budget Planning: Nanthitha and Reshmitha worked together to develop the

project’s budget, ensuring that funds were allocated appropriately for inventory,
packaging, and marketing.
● Inventory Management: Reshmitha, in particular, was responsible for managing
inventory, tracking stock levels, and ensuring that popular items were always
available. They also developed a system to adjust inventory during peak periods,
such as weekends and exam times, to avoid stockouts.
● Supplier Relations: Nanthitha and Reshmitha handled relationships with
suppliers, leveraging bulk-buying discounts and special offers like “Buy 1 Get 1
Free” or 50% off deals to reduce costs and increase profit margins.

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3. Vasudha B V – Operations Lead (Inventory Management, Order Processing, and
Customer Service)

Role:
As the Operations Lead, Vasudha was responsible for managing the day-to-day activities
of Shadow Bites. She coordinated inventory management, order processing, and delivery
logistics, while also ensuring that customer service was top-notch.

Contributions:

● Inventory and Order Management: Vasudha worked closely with Reshmitha to

ensure that stock was always available and orders were processed efficiently. She
handled the flow of orders from students, making sure they were fulfilled
promptly.
● Delivery Management: She oversaw the delivery process, ensuring that snacks
were delivered within the promised 5-minute window, especially during peak

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 hours. She managed a team of delivery personnel and ensured that they followed
the required protocols for quick and discreet deliveries.

● Customer Service: Vasudha managed customer inquiries, feedback, and

complaints, ensuring a positive experience for all students. She was responsible
for resolving issues quickly and effectively, which helped maintain customer
satisfaction and loyalty.

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 References

Shadow Bites 41
 General Guidelines
1. A good project can be written only if you have good piece of work
2. A good piece of work will be ignored if not presented properly
3. Remember – you are writing it because you want others to read
4. If you do not use sufficient care in writing, one will doubt whether you have
taken good care in your work either
5. Use clear and short sentences and write in third person. Avoid using bombastic
words or jargons
6. All the assumptions and input data should be documented
7. It should be possible to reproduce your computations/experiments by others
using your dissertation.
8. Use British English-spelling
9. Use A4 white sheet (bond paper) for printing your project report. Use font size of
12, Calibri, sub-headings can be of same font size but bold
10. Margins should be as shown in the figure

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