NISHA BAROT
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS.
I am the founder of The Milana Company, a health and wellness focused Canadian brand devoted to creating 100% natural products. We have launched with our line of luxury 100% certified organic tea and tisane blends including and introducing ancient ingredients from the East such as Tulsi and Turmeric. We have recently also launched our range of 100% natural skincare using ingredients so natural, they are edible! I started The Milana Company in 2018 with a mission to promote healthy lifestyles by bringing together the principles from the East and the West and creating products using ancient, exotic and luxurious ingredients that are truly natural and beneficial.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I am a Pharmaceutical Scientist but have always been passionate about natural living throughout my life. I am a Canadian -born and spent a few years of my youth in India where I was also fortunate enough to be surrounded by Ayurveda, an Indian traditional system of medicine. My grandfather had a passion for Ayurveda and used to formulate homemade remedies from natural ingredients passed down through generations for overall health. Later, I got married to my British husband and moved to the UK. Coincidentally both his parents are Ayurvedic doctors, thereby I was completely immersed in the world of holistic medicine, philosophy, yoga and Ayurveda. My father-in-law, an internationally renowned physician, researcher and lecturer has been a huge influence behind me starting this company. His knowledge and wisdom within science and Ayurveda along with their intersection as well as his passion for helping people, is what motivated me to follow this path and create a line of products with integrity – that would help people make better lifestyle choices without compromising on quality.
WHAT WAS ONE HIGH POINT FOR YOU?
I think one of the high points for me has been when after quitting my corporate job to spend months to travel the world and research, identifying natural ingredients, I successfully launched the company in 2018. Receiving the initial positive feedback on our products gave me an immense sense of satisfaction and gratitude. It is certainly motivating when we have returning customers who have benefited from our products and their appreciation to our mission as a company.
WAS THERE EVER A SITUATION WHERE YOU WANTED TO GIVE UP? AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THAT (YOUR A-HA MOMENT)?:
Starting and running a business can be challenging with many ups and downs – it can be due to exhaustion of wearing multiple hats, understanding competition or the lack of personal time, etc. However, what kept me going was my immense passion for healthier lifestyles and my unique position to be able to formulate products that could aid this. I appreciated the experiences and capabilities I was blessed with and I tried to continue to think of this. I also take a lot of inspiration from fellow women entrepreneurs and know that I am not the only one going through the hurdles and challenges that come with running a business.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A B.A.B.E.?
I love that I can put my experience and vision into practice and be creative in formulating products, whilst helping people make better lifestyle choices.
TELL ME 3 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU.
I am a huge Toronto Raptors basketball fan!
I love to travel.
I am a qualified yoga teacher (spent a month in an ashram in India) and love to teach yoga when I can.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE US?
If you want to start a business that you are passionate about, DO IT! There is never going to be a ‘right’ time. You can always improve as you go along but getting yourself out there is paramount and extremely satisfying!