"Cafes Operated by People with Disabilities" (Alina at MittiCafe.org)

Today’s guest on the “Phil with F30” podcast is Alina Alam – CEO of Mitti Cafe

Forbes List: Asia

Year: 2020

Category: Social Entrepreneurship

Dear Listeners,

There are a billion people across the world with disabilities and 70-million in India. With compassion and determination for creating a world that’s more inclusive, Alina Alam, CEO Mitti Café has helped people with physical, intellectual, and psychological disabilities to become productive, while showcasing their skills to earn a living.

She won the Mindtree Helen Keller Award, Times of India She Unlimited Award, and India’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

I am so humbled and proud to share Alina’s journey of starting Mitti Café, sponsored and located in corporate offices in four cities in India.  It’s a sustainable non-profit and a model that could be replicated around the world.

It’s incredible how executing a goal of social responsibility is keeping the cafe workers employed, even during COVID-19. The cafes are closed, but the disabled adults are giving back and continuing to work by serving those even more disadvantaged. So far, they have served 274,000 meals and drinking water to daily wage earners who are now unemployed because of the pandemic, and others who are homeless.

There is so much for all of us to take away from Alina’s remarkable cause and story.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has been devastating to the people Alina has given an opportunity.  The project needs funds to keep operating.

I’m asking all my listeners to help contribute to Alina’s work with a contribution to her outstanding mission that will surely make you feel part of the greater purpose. Your gift will truly make an impact in saving the employees of Mitti Café as they continue to feed and serve others. And you will be part of the movement to create awareness for the cause of equal opportunities in employment.

I am grateful for our conversation.  It’s inspirational.

With gratitude,

Phil Michaels

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie. It presents practical solutions to problems.

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - My time and money into the cafe.

Worst - Even in a bad investment you can still learn from the experience.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning and Evening routines?

AM - Running - a great exercise.

PM - I write everything that was amazing that day to end on a positive note.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of going to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

Reach out to mentors.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

A paper and pencil to enhance my creativity.

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!

How Alina Alam’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!

Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Alina Alam – CEO of Mitti Cafe

CONTACT: Twitter @mitti_cafe & Instagram cafemitti

WEBSITE: http://mitticafe.org/

COUPON CODE DISCOUNT for audience: MitticafeRETURNturngift

Fundraising