by WoMen Who Win Team

“I want to make Monsoon Kitchens the favorite Indian food brand for America.” Meet today’s woman dreamer, Swati Elavia, founder of Monsoon Kitchens, a top Indian frozen food brand sold across supermarkets. With over 14 years in the food industry, Swati learned the art of the food business through her work as a research nutritionist at General Mills and studying Food science at UNC. Swati shares how she built her food empire!

1) You are the founder of Monsoon Kitchen, and have had an exciting career in the food industry working with companies like General Mills, and studied food science at UNC. What inspired your interest in food and food science?

My Mom was a teacher of Home Economics and a wonderful cook, so I grew up in a home filled with good food. While both my parents were very mindful about their food, they were also superstitious about when and what to eat as most folks in India are.   Being a student of chemistry, I started questioning why I couldn’t have eggs in the summer or ice cream in the winter.  When I didn’t get reasonable answers, I researched and interviewed history professors and then wrote a paper about “Food Superstitions-Facts or Fallacy”.  I received an A for that paper and that is how the resolve to learn more about Food Science and Nutrition came about.  

2) You have worked in Food Science in the corporate sectors at General Mills, Betty Crocker etc.  How did that experience translate to your experience as an food entrepreneur?

I was lucky to have learned from one of the best food companies in America.  AT General Mills, my experience was multifaceted since I worked with every division including researchers in academia, regulators, marketing, and legal departments.  That experience continues to help me make sound decisions in my own business every day.

3) Why and how did you decide to start your own business in 2003?  What are some of the products you retail and how do you accommodate them to different palates?

In 1999, we relocated from Minneapolis to Boston because of my husband’s job.  Since there was no food company of General Mills’ caliber in Boston, I decided to start my own business. And, since I was a decent Indian cook, I figured that was the best route to take.  We started our business selling to institutions, which provided us data on top sellers as well as favorite flavors and products of our chef customers.  Feedback from the chefs was invaluable in designing new products and reworking our old products.  We took our top sellers in foodservice and introduced them into retail market.  We highly recommend you check out our three varieties of Samosas with delicious Tamarind Chutney, Basmati Rice Bowls, and Fresh Meals in Grab-and-Go Deli section. 

4) You have won the "Small Businessperson of the year" award in a predominantly male dominated industry and your products are now carried in 1800 college campuses and the nationwide grocery retail chain Stop & Shop.  What are your top tips to women who might want to follow a similar path?

While it was an honor and a humble experience to go to Washington DC to accept the Small Businessperson of the Year award for Massachusetts, it was even more heartening to see so many other women win the same award for their respective states and most of those women in were in food business as well.   From my experience learning from other women leaders, I have a few tips.  Ask if you would like to work for someone like yourself and it would put a lot of your actions in perspective.  Don’t be afraid to do the hardest thing because if it were easy everyone would do it.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes and always remember that not everyone will be happy with your decisions so try to be fair and trust your instinct.  My favorite quote for all women is by Eleanor Roosevelt “A woman is like a teabag.  You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water”.  I hope with this I can inspire at least one future leader.  

6. What is your long-term dream with your business?

We still have a lot of “wood to chop”.  I want to make Monsoon Kitchens a favorite Indian food brand for America.

Thank you Swati for sharing your inspiring story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!

Bio: Swati Elavia is President and co-founder of Monsoon Kitchens, Inc., a purveyor of fine Indian foods for foodservice and retail markets in USA. Prior to co-founding Monsoon Kitchens, Swati worked as a research nutritionist at General Mills in Minneapolis. Swati received her Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Science from University of North Carolina. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to creating boldly flavored products Swati is passionate about Food safety and Nutrition labeling. She supports organizations that combat hunger in America and has a deep empathy for the dietary needs of children and seniors.