Name: Natasha Hemani
Designation: Brand Director, Blondie by Bastian
Company Name: Blondie by Bastian – https://www.instagram.com/
Impact of the company & founder: Natasha Hemani is redefining modern hospitality by building Blondie as more than just a café, but a cultural and community space in the heart of Bandra. With a background spanning fashion, brand building, and her own label Au Courant, she brings a strong storytelling lens to hospitality, curating experiences that feel intentional, design-led, and emotionally resonant. Under her direction, Blondie has evolved into a space where people gather not just for food, but for connection, blending global perspective with deeply local community energy.
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Name: Chef Ayushi Agarwal
Designation: Founder, Creme Cookies
Company Name: Creme Cookies: https://www.instagram.com/
Impact of the company & founder: What began as a lockdown experiment in her mother’s kitchen in Jaipur has grown into one of Mumbai’s most talked-about dessert brands. Chef Ayushi Agarwal founded Creme Cookies in 2020, introducing New York–style “Chonkies”, crisp on the outside, molten at the centre, and quickly building a loyal following. Rooted in French baking techniques and driven by indulgent simplicity, her brand champions small-batch freshness and bold flavours. Built and run by an all-women team, Creme Cookies represents a new generation of female-led food entrepreneurship powered by craft, comfort, and community.
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Name: Gayatri Chona
Designation: Nutritionist and Founder, Phab
Company Name: Phab https://www.instagram.com/
Impact of the company & founder: Certified nutritionist Gayatri Chona founded Phab with a clear mission: to bridge India’s protein gap without compromising on taste. Combining her expertise in dietetics with consumer insight, she has built a flavour-forward, protein-rich snacking brand that challenges the idea that healthy food must be bland or restrictive. Under her leadership, Phab has scaled across online and offline retail, carving a space in India’s rapidly growing health-food market and making functional nutrition more accessible to everyday consumers.
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Name: Vasuki Punj
Designation: Founder, Frozen Fun Gelato & Cafe Frozen Fun
Company Name: Frozen Fun – https://www.instagram.com/
Impact of the company & founder: Vasuki Punj, Founder of Frozen Fun, transitioned from a distinguished career in international law and human rights, working with organisations like the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, to building one of India’s most distinctive premium gelato brands. Inspired by an authentic gelato experience in Goa, she launched Frozen Fun in 2021 with a strong belief in creating a sensory, store-led dessert experience. Under her leadership, the brand has grown to 13+ outlets across Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur, known for its chef-driven, small-batch Italian gelato reimagined with Indian flavours. Combining her legal background with entrepreneurial precision, Vasuki has built a robust cold chain and operations framework to maintain product integrity at scale. Her approach prioritises quality, team excellence, and customer experience, positioning Frozen Fun as a category-defining brand in India’s premium frozen dessert space.
