For customers across Mumbai, Flipkart Minutes brings products, including everyday essentials closer. Whether they manage busy schedules, balance work and studies, or simply look for a little more convenience in their day, the service makes everyday needs a little easier to manage. And behind each order are people who have learned to work with customer needs, adapt to changing demands and find their own rhythm in the job.

At Flipkart Minutes, Aarti Kerul, Nikita Vasanta Shirsat and Manish Ramsogupta all have dreams that they’re building a bridge towards. Aarti uses her income to support her nursing studies. Nikita balances college with her job as she works toward a future in accounting and finance. Manish likes the flexibility that comes with his role while running three general stores. Read their #OneInABillion stories in their own words.

Aarti Kerul: Powering Her Career Goals

My name is Aarti Kerul. I completed my 12th standard, and I am currently studying nursing. I live with my family of six. My sister will be getting married soon.

I first heard about Flipkart Minutes through my friends. I was working at the Flipkart Minutes microfulfillment centre in Ghansoli earlier and later shifted here to the Kopar Khairane store. I have now been doing this work for about a year.

When I first started, I had to learn how everything worked - getting information through the system, placing orders, and figuring out the patterns (for example, we see an uptick in dairy products in the morning), and how to get them ready for the customer.

When there are multiple orders, we help each other. If someone is delayed with an order or two, the rest of us cover for them. That flexibility has become part of how we work together.

It was difficult in the beginning because I had to do several things at once and some products came in different packaging. After a year, I have become much more agile - I know what to pick and how to move through the process.

I have also developed my own way of handling heavier orders.

The flexibility of the work is important to me because I am studying nursing at the same time. I attend classes during my week off and take leave when I have an exam.

I also use what I earn for my studies. My parents stay at home, and my younger brother is studying too. Working here helps me pay for my education while staying close to home. I want to complete my nursing course and work in Mumbai first. After gaining some experience, I want to go abroad. That is what I am working toward now.

Nikita Vasanta Shirsat: Turning Work into a Degree

My name is Nikita Vasanta Shirsat. I am 19 years old, and I am in my second year of college, studying accounting and finance. I joined Flipkart Minutes about five months ago.

I started working because of my financial situation and my college fees. My parents work at a bakery, and I also have a younger brother. My studies are going well, and I recently got an A+ in my exams.

This job is a lot of learning and is challenging at times. But we have the help we need here - both in terms of the team as well as technology. The picking app tells me the MRP, location and name of the product instantly. But knowing the store helps me get around quickly as well. There is a lot of movement during the shift, especially during peak order times.

I understand the customers’ point of view - if a person is busy at home and can’t go out, getting their needs delivered makes things easier. I also make use of these services. Once, during a festival, there was no one at home, and we needed ingredients to make kheer. I ordered several things I needed, such as milk and cardamom.

The job is helping me keep my focus on college while making a living at the same time. I am working on what I want to do after graduation, but right now I know what matters: doing well in my studies and continuing to build experience along the way.

Manish Ramsogupta: Flexibility & an Income Stream, All Close to Home

I have been working with Flipkart Minutes as a Wishmaster for around nine months.

I generally do anywhere from 30 to 40 orders a day. Traffic is one of the biggest challenges because of busy areas around Rajawadi Hospital and the ambulances moving through the roads. But I have the upper hand in my knowledge of the region and I don't have much of a problem finding the customers' addresses. I know a lot of people in the area, and I also have customers who are nice and supportive.

I incorporate this work into my existing lifestyle because it provides me with a good income and allows me to have the flexibility I need. Besides being an owner of three general stores at Rajawadi, I have a bachelor's degree in Banking and Insurance. So I can keep running my existing businesses, stay close to home and build another income stream.

The day I joined, I remember, there were only ten orders during the morning. The store was pretty new, but order volumes are on the rise now!