Thaely isn’t just a sneaker it’s a step towards a greener world. Made from recycled plastics, each pair transforms waste into style while inspiring sustainable living.

✨ Voices for Local – stories that inspire, fashion that matters.

Weirdough isn’t just bread; it’s Pallavee Duggal’s story of turning passion into purpose, patience into perfection, and ideas into reality.

Ever wondered how a small idea can turn into something huge?

Meet Sujata & Tanya, the sisters behind Suta Sarees. They started in a tiny garage during Covid with just one employee, dreaming of making malmal sarees that are simple, fun, and affordable. Today, their brand reaches women across India, empowering artisans and changing the way people wear sarees.

👉 How did one online batch spark a nationwide movement?
👉 What keeps them going through challenges and long days?

This is more than sarees—it’s about following your dream, celebrating simplicity, and creating impact that matters.

✨ Voices for Local – stories that inspire, culture that connects.

💬 Tell us: Which Suta Saree would you love to wear?
#VoicesForLocal #SutaSarees #Malmal #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupStory

What if retirement was the start of your boldest chapter yet?

Meet Prakash Baid, the Marwari entrepreneur who turned India’s most loved after-meal ritual - Mukhwas into a refreshing new brand: After Eats. From spicy, tangy twists to classic family flavors, every mix is 100% natural and made to keep traditions alive.

Why did he refuse to “retire”?
How did a simple mouth freshener become his mission?

One of the most special moments? A family ordered After Eats boxes as return gifts for a birthday, a reminder that this brand is now part of people’s celebrations.

This is not just about Mukhwas. It’s about tradition, positivity, and proving that there’s no age to chase a new dream.

This isn’t just a story about food. It’s about culture, resilience, and proving that passion has no age limit.

Welcome to Voices for Local — where everyday traditions meet extraordinary entrepreneurs.

Share in the comments: What’s YOUR favorite after-meal ritual?
#VoicesForLocal #AfterEats #Mukhwas #IndianSnacks #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory

What happens when two Bangaloreans in Mumbai decide they can’t live without their favorite childhood dosa? They don’t just crave it… they create a revolution.

In this episode of Voices for Local, host Monisha Singh Katial sits down with Akhil and Shreya, the couple behind Benne – Mumbai’s newest obsession where queues wrap around the block for a plate of butter-soaked nostalgia.

From giving up the comfort of established careers (a psychologist & a film producer!) to building a restaurant from scratch, their story is one of risk, honesty, and community.
From sleepless nights and opening day disasters to viral social media buzz, they share what it really takes to create a homegrown brand that resonates with the youth of India.
And at the heart of it all? A dosa that’s more than food – it’s heritage, culture, and comfort.

Voices for Local is all about celebrating India’s homegrown entrepreneurs, their struggles, dreams, and resilience. This isn’t just a story of food – it’s about turning passion into purpose and community into culture.

If you’re in Mumbai, don’t miss the chance to try Benne Dosa at Bandra or Juhu.
Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite local brand story that inspires you?

#VoicesForLocal #Benne #IndianFood #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #LocalBrands #DosaLove

We’re heading down to Kochi this episode, as Monisha speaks to Zuzana Gombosova, a material researcher and designer from Slovakia, who is the co-founder of Malai, a company that designs and develops bio-based materials from Bacterial Cellulose that they grow. Zuzana tells us about the challenges of working with biodegradable materials, the fascinating production process of Malai’s material made from coconut water, the experience of working with coconut processing units, and what it’s like working in the sustainability space at international platforms vs in the Indian market.

Check out Malai at malai.eco, and follow their journey on Instagram @malai.eco. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram)

This is a Maed in India production.

Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Audio Editor: Aditya Arya

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Voices for Local turns 50! Well, not 50 years – but 50 episodes, and we think that’s something to celebrate! It’s been a fun, fascinating, and fulfilling journey across the length and breadth of the country, getting to know the stories behind some incredible brands. What better way to mark the occasion than to look back at some of our favourite episodes and listen to what our favourite brands have been up to since they featured on the show?

And we had to include you in our celebrations, of course! So, keep an eye out on our Instagram handle @voicesforlocal, for some special offers that these brands have got exclusively for our loyal listeners. Use the coupon code on our Instagram to avail some awesome discounts with these brands!

On this episode:
Nafisa Rachel William

Studio Metallurgy (Advaeita Mathur)

Studio Beej (Arundhati Kumar)

Veedaa (Dhruv Kohli)

Caught Craft Handed (Yukti & Sheela Bajaj)

Bombay Shirt Company (Akshay Narvekar)

Rouka (Sreejith Jeevan)

Pinklay (Daisy Tanwani)

Quirksmith (Divya & Pragya Batra)

Subko (Rahul Reddy)

To keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram)

This is a Maed in India production.

Audio Engineers: Kartik Kulkarni & Lakshman Parsuram

Audio Editor: Aditya Arya

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Husein Haveliwala

This week, on Voices for Local, Monisha gets talking to Saarus Nirhali, the founder of Glasshopper, a Bangalore-based stained glass studio that creates suncatchers, panels, lamp-shades, tea light holders, and jewellery. Monisha asks her what it was like to leave behind a career in criminal law, how she got into stained glass, and how she sources her designs. Saarus also explains the difference between original and Tiffany style stained glass, and the challenges of working with expensive, breakable raw materials like stained glass.

Check out Glasshopper at www.glasshopper.in, and follow their journey on Instagram @glasshopperindia. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram)

This is a Maed in India production.

Audio Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Audio Editor: Aditya Arya

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Husein Haveliwala