Join us for a compelling episode of the Barbershop as we sit down with Suhasini Sampath, the cofounder of Yoga Bar. In this candid conversation, we delve into the fascinating world of building a business in FMCG.

Suhasini shares her insights and challenges in creating a successful brand in the health food space, and we explore the unique strategies and innovations that propelled Yoga Bar to prominence, resonating with healthconscious consumers across the nation. We discuss the remarkable acquisition by ITC, and the accompanying intricacies of navigating partnerships and collaborations in the dynamic business landscape.

We also venture into the personal realm, delving into Suhasini's experience of working with family and the fine balance one has to strike between personal and professional relationships. Her candid reflections offer invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs who navigate the challenges of intertwining family and business dynamics.⚡

Get ready for an inspiring and insightful episode as we uncover the behindthescenes stories, trials, and triumphs of building in the healthy foods category in India!


Introduction 00:00 3:44
The Initial Idea: 3:45 9:58
Why building healthy food is hard: 9:58 22:18
Making calculated decisions about the brand: 22:19 22:01
Perfecting the product: 22:01 26:09
Building a great food company 26:10 29:25
More on Yoga Bar’s journey: 29:25 38:42
Playing the long game: 38:43 42:00
Legacy matters & ITC acquisition: 42:01 48:30
Running a business with family 48:31 54:34
More on negotiations & acquisition/ people who helped in Yoga Bar’s journey 54:35 1:05:22
The ITC acquisition process 1:05:23 1:13:34
What does it take to build a business? 1:13:35 1:15:05
What Suhasini learnt about herself during her journey 1:15:06 1:20:40
What’s next for Suhasini & thoughts on entrepreneurship: 1:20:41 1:28:15
Women in entrepreneurship & Concluding Advice: 1:28:16 1:37:39