Feeding Wellness: How Mehek Khera Built a Brand Rooted in Tradition, Successfully Landing on the Shelves of Sprouts & Albertsons

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Mehek Khera, founder of Niramaya Foods, who shares her journey from a corporate career to launching her own brand focused on Indian-inspired, health-conscious foods. Mehek discusses the challenges and triumphs of building her brand, including product development, sourcing ingredients, navigating the retail landscape, and responding to consumer feedback. She emphasizes the importance of marrying convenience with nutrition and shares insights on expanding her product line to include pretzels. The conversation highlights the dedication and passion behind Niramaya Foods and the vision for its future in the retail market.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Neera Maya Foods01:11 Mehek's Journey from Tech to Food Entrepreneurship03:03 The Spark Behind Neera Maya Foods04:40 Understanding Nutrition and Health07:57 Bringing Indian Flavors to the Retail Market10:57 Connecting with Local Farmers and Ingredients13:30 The Importance of Consumer Feedback16:39 Navigating the Manufacturing Process19:59 The Role of Packaging in Branding23:59 Transitioning to Retail and Initial Sales Performance30:38 Funding Strategies: From Bootstrapping to Debt Financing31:01 Marketing Plans: Strategies for Product Launch32:13 Consumer Feedback: Adapting Products to Market Needs35:17 Navigating Retail: From Small Stores to Major Retailers39:28 Sales Challenges: Understanding Retail Dynamics43:09 Expanding Product Lines: The Launch of Pretzels49:34 Retail Realities: Lessons Learned in the IndustryLinks mentioned:Niramaya Foods Website: https://www.niramayafoods.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niramayafoods/Tikok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niramayafoodsMehek's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehekkhera/Retail locator can be found on Niramaya's website! Support the showEvent Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0ZbaLooking for more? Visit our Linktree for the latest episodes, free resources, retail tips, and ways to connect with the Shelf Talks community.https://linktr.ee/shelftalkspodcastLove what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/supportContact us via email: [email protected] Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! [email protected] the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book