Here’s about Redefining Success: A Woman Entrepreneur’s Vision for the Dining Industry
Only 34, Pallavii Gupta is making a silent revolution in India’s hospitality sector-one based on creativity, empathy, and community. A NIFT Mumbai alumnus and former up-and-comer in the fashion industry, Gupta transitioned into the hospitality industry to open The Kind, a brew room and all-vegetarian cafe concept that’s rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in Bangalore’s cutthroat food culture.
Established by her firm Aanuma Hospitality, The Kind is not just a café-it’s a designed experience. It weaves together fair-trade specialty coffee with globally inspired, plant-based food in spaces that invite you to get comfortable.
“Fashion taught me how to design emotional experiences. With food, that design sensibility becomes multi-sensory-what you eat, what you see, how you feel,” Gupta explains.
From Childhood Cravings to Culinary Concepts
Her passion for food was planted early-growing up in Dehradun in a family of avid foodies. Summers were buttery cream rolls at Ellora’s, and travel meant food workshops overseas. Those memories, she says, are alive and well in her menu today-especially in their rendition of a Simple Chocolate Cake that reminds her of her childhood.
Why She Left Fashion (But Took Its Best Lessons Along)
Gupta had never dreamed of being a restaurateur. Yet, when she relocated to Bangalore in 2015, she saw there was an evident void: no place that provided vegetarian food without sacrificing design, warmth, or creativity.
“There were cafes with fantastic coffee but without soul, or soulful places without food integrity. I needed both-curated food and a warm experience.”
With design acumen and an entrepreneurial attitude, she launched the initial The Kind in JP Nagar in 2023-an eggless, vegetarian concept with Indian ingredients blended with international flair.
The Kind: A New Standard for Women in F&B
Within a year, The Kind multiplied in Indira Nagar and Bellandur, both outlets possessing their own soul. While JP Nagar boasts a Zen table for quiet contemplation, the rest are dog-friendly. But all of them possess the same ethos-slow living, clean design, and mindful food.
What makes her stand out isn’t necessarily her menu-it’s her leadership approach. In a field that’s traditionally male, Gupta values emotional intelligence, collaboration, and empathy, not only customer-facing but also behind the scenes.
“Our onboarding isn’t about scripts-it’s about teaching the team to care.”
Building a Community, Not Just a Brand
Gupta’s hospitality extends beyond the plate. From day one, she has been building spaces to bring people together. With social media interactions, word-of-mouth, or innovative menu offerings such as Jackfruit Lattes and Mango Kaffe Tonics, The Kind is a living, breathing brand that hears its people.
A fourth location is scheduled for 2025, and a retail collection is also in development. But expansion, for Gupta, is never solely about getting bigger-it’s about being faithful to the spirit.
“We grow when we can promise we’ll serve up the same warmness, the same Kind-ness, wherever we are.”
A Blueprint for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
As a first-gen entrepreneur, Gupta acknowledges the learning curve has been high-but well worth the risk. She’s created a niche that’s profitable, purpose-driven, and all her own.
“Being a female founder without any formal education in hospitality was challenging. But passion, learning, and a clear vision enabled me to create something meaningful.”
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