Rashmi Mishra, Co-Founder & Culinary Curator of Two Gud Sisters, shares insights on navigating challenges, building identity, and inspiring the next generation in India’s dynamic food & beverage sector.
Q1. Women in India are increasingly breaking stereotypes. How do you see yourself moving beyond traditional roles in your entrepreneurial journey?
A: Traditionally, women in India were often expected to manage households rather than businesses, especially in sectors like hospitality which demand long and unpredictable hours. Choosing to step into entrepreneurship meant consciously challenging those expectations. It required developing resilience, confidence, and the ability to claim space in boardrooms and kitchens where women are still underrepresented. The idea was not just to run a business, but to demonstrate that women can lead, innovate, and create value in industries historically seen as male-driven.
Q2. What were some challenges you faced as a woman starting out in the food & beverage (F&B) sector
A: The F&B industry is competitive and capital intensive. As a woman, the initial challenge was being taken seriously by vendors, landlords, and even certain peers. There’s an ingrained perception that women may lack financial acumen or the stamina needed for hospitality. Access to funding can also be tougher, as investors often unconsciously gravitate toward male founders. Beyond that, safety concerns for women working late nights and the pressure of managing personal responsibilities alongside professional commitments add unique layers of complexity.
Q3. How important has family and community support been in your journey?
A: It is absolutely critical. Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and without a strong support system, it is easy to burn out. Family encouragement gave me the confidence to take risks, while community support, whether in the form of mentors, peers in the industry, or even early customers helped validate the vision. In hospitality, the sense of community is especially vital because it is people-driven; success depends as much on relationships as on products.
Q4. In such a male-dominated sector, how do you approach building a unique brand identity?
A: For women entrepreneurs, differentiation often comes from bringing fresh perspectives into traditional spaces. In F&B, this can mean experimenting with design, storytelling, or curating menus that reflect cultural narratives often overlooked. A unique brand identity also means being authentic and staying true to the values of inclusivity, sustainability, or creativity, rather than chasing trends. When authenticity becomes the core, the brand stands out regardless of gender dynamics in the sector.
Q5. How do you strike a balance between passion for the craft and the need for profitability?
A: Passion drives creativity, but without financial discipline, even the best ideas can collapse. The key is to set clear metrics, cost controls, revenue benchmarks, and growth goals while still leaving room for creative exploration. For example, not every idea needs to become a commercial product; some can be test concepts to inspire the team. Profitability is not the enemy of passion but it is what sustains it in the long term.
Q6. What inspired you personally to step into entrepreneurship?
A: The inspiration came from seeing how food and hospitality have the power to create experiences and memories. Beyond that, there was a desire to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving culinary landscape, which is increasingly open to innovation. Observing other women who had carved successful paths in business, whether in F&B or beyond, which was also a source of motivation. Representation matters, and seeing women succeed made me believe it was possible.
Q7. What do you think your story signals for the next generation of women entrepreneurs
A: It signals that there is no single “right way” to build a business. Women don’t have to fit into predefined molds, whether that’s in how they lead, design, or scale their ventures. The next generation should take confidence from the fact that every barrier broken creates space for someone else. If our journey proves anything, it’s that women can lead industries, set benchmarks, and redefine success on their own terms.
