2025 Women In Business Thrive Series

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Discover Opportunities for Business and Career Growth

Lavanya Mahate, founder of Saffron Valley Restaurants and RISE Culinary Institute

July 9, 2025

Event Description

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The 2025 Women in Business Thrive Series is a transformative 12-month program, powered by the Cache Valley Chamber, designed to expand and accelerate women's potential. Through high-impact presentations from Utah's top women leaders, focused networking opportunities, and catered lunches, participants will gain the skills and confidence to achieve their goals. Join us as we empower women to lead, innovate, and inspire.

Explore the exciting world of entrepreneurship in this dynamic workshop designed for those considering new business opportunities or approaching an opportunity within an organization you work for. Learn how to harness the potential of starting your own company or adopting an entrepreneurial approach to your career to become your own boss, earn your own income, and lead with a clear vision. With Utah’s business-friendly environment and robust support services, especially for women entrepreneurs, you'll gain valuable insights into navigating the local landscape, accessing resources, and leveraging opportunities for success. Join us to discover how you can turn your entrepreneurial aspirations into reality and drive your business or career forward with confidence.

Challenge: Identify and map out a growth opportunity, including need, opportunity, what you need to make it happen.

Resources: 

Implementable Takeaways:

• Actionable strategies for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities with an entrepreneurial mindset.

• List of local and other accessible resources to assist and support business startup and growth

• Identified at least one viable business idea

• Completed a growth opportunity analysis

Sponsors

Cache Valley Chamber

Workshop Agenda:

11:30am Lunch & Networking

11:50am Welcome

12pm Presentation

12:50pm Raffle Drawings & Wrap Up

1pm End

Raffle Prizes

TBD

Raffle prizes for each luncheon are generously donated by local organizations and individuals and all attendees receive a complimentary raffle ticket. Buy additional raffle tickets for your chance to take home a prize. 100% of ticket sales fund scholarships for local women.

About the presenter

Lavanya Mahate

Founder of Saffron Valley Restaurant and Rise Culinary Institute

Lavanya Mahate is a visionary entrepreneur and culinary innovator known for transforming the Indian dining experience in the U.S. With a passion for sharing the vibrant flavors of Indian cuisine, she founded Saffron Valley, an award-winning restaurant offering handcrafted Indian street food, and has launched 10 successful food ventures in just over a decade. Lavanya began her culinary journey with spice blends at a farmers market and, without formal training, opened her first restaurant, which paved the way for her renowned portfolio of eateries.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Lavanya is a dedicated community leader and advocate for empowering others. She founded the RISE Culinary Institute, a nonprofit that provides free culinary training and job placement for refugee and immigrant women from low-income families, helping them build careers in the food industry. Lavanya is also the creator of East India Pantry, a unique line of spice blends designed to simplify the preparation of authentic Indian dishes.

Lavanya’s story of immigrating to the U.S. at 23, overcoming challenges, and following her passion for food and community has inspired many. She actively serves on multiple boards and has received numerous awards for her leadership and dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and uplifting marginalized communities. She was awarded Girl Scouts of Utah’s 2022 Girl Champion Award in Entrepreneurship, Utah Business Magazine’s 2024 30 Women To Watch.

Upcoming Workshops*:

August 13: Money Matters: Navigate Your Finances and Future with Confidence presented by Trina Limpert, Tech-Moms

September 10: Networking Essentials: Build and Enhance Your Professional Connections, presented by Dr. Donna Milavetz, Regence BlueCross BlueShield

October 22: 13th Annual Cache Business Women’s Conference, Silent Auction & Jewelry Sale

*Subject to change.

2025 WIB Thrive Series overview

About Women In Business