Srishti Bhatia: The Woman Behind Fresh For Paws and India’s Pet Food Revolution

Every meaningful business begins with a reason to exist. For Srishti Bhatia, that reason had four paws, a wagging tail, and a name she would never forget - Vanilla, her Labrador. What began as a personal effort to find better food for her beloved companion eventually became the foundation of Fresh For Paws, a pet-food brand built around better nutrition, transparency, and greater awareness among pet parents.

Srishti’s entrepreneurial journey did not begin with a formal business plan or the backing of a family business. It began with a simple question: Were pets in India receiving the nutrition they truly deserved? As she explored pet nutrition for Vanilla, she discovered a much larger gap in the way pets were being fed and understood. She soon realised that her concern was shared by countless other pet parents who wanted better, more informed choices for their pet.

That realisation became the starting point of Fresh For Paws. What initially emerged from the love for one dog gradually developed into a larger vision of contributing to the evolution of India's pet-food industry.

Building a Business from Scratch

Starting a business at the age of 24 was a defining step for Srishti. Without a formal business background or a family enterprise to fall back on, she entered an industry that was still evolving and, in many ways, male-dominated. Being young and a woman sometimes meant having to work harder to establish her credibility and demonstrate that she had the knowledge and determination to build something meaningful.

The early years demanded that she learn almost every aspect of running a business from the ground up. Understanding the industry, developing the right products, establishing systems, finding the right people, managing operations, and earning the trust of customers became essential parts of her journey.

Building Fresh For Paws also meant taking on a challenge beyond product development. Pet nutrition was a category in which awareness and informed decision-making still had considerable room to grow. Srishti had to think not only about what the brand could offer but also about how to educate pet parents and encourage them to look more carefully at the food they chose for their companions.

There were moments of self-doubt, unfamiliar situations, and occasions when she had to prove herself through her work rather than her experience or age. Yet, she continued to learn, adapt, and improve her decisions. Each challenge became an opportunity to understand the business better and strengthen the foundation on which she was building.

At the heart of it all remained the reason she had started. Whenever the journey became difficult, Vanilla reminded her of the purpose behind Fresh For Paws. Her determination came from the belief that pets deserved better and that this belief could become the foundation of a business with a much wider impact.

Changing the Way India Thinks About Pet Food

For Srishti, building Fresh For Paws has always involved more than creating and selling products. It has also meant contributing to a broader shift in how pet parents approach nutrition.

Over the years, she has witnessed the Indian pet-food category evolve towards greater interest in fresh food, better nutritional choices, transparency, and a deeper understanding of pets' dietary needs. Fresh For Paws has been part of this changing landscape, with its focus on helping pet parents make more informed choices.

The journey has required continuous learning and the ability to adapt to an industry that is still developing. Srishti has had to understand emerging needs, explore new product opportunities, and build relationships with people who share an interest in improving pet nutrition.

Her experience has reinforced the importance of trust in building a brand. For pet parents, choosing food for their companions is a decision closely connected to care and responsibility. Establishing a brand in this space requires more than visibility; it calls for a consistent commitment to the needs of pets and the expectations of the people who care for them.

Through Fresh For Paws, Srishti has worked towards building a business that reflects these priorities while contributing to a more informed pet-care culture in India.

Milestones That Mark a Growing Vision

Among the achievements Srishti values most is the journey of building Fresh For Paws from an idea inspired by Vanilla into a growing pet-food business. Starting at 24 without a business background or family-business support, she transformed a personal concern into an entrepreneurial venture with ambitions extending far beyond its beginnings.

Another significant milestone has been the brand's participation in the changing Indian pet-food industry. For Srishti, being part of the movement towards better nutrition, greater transparency, and more informed choices is an important part of the company's story.

The recognition received by Fresh For Paws has also marked important moments along the way. These include the Trailblazer Award at IIPTF, Women Entrepreneur of the Year, Indian Pet Food Brand of the Year (Wet) – Made in India at IIPTF, the Pet Fed Award, and the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year recognition at the Indian Pet Industry Awards.

For Srishti, these honours represent more than individual accomplishments. They acknowledge the work invested in developing the brand and its contribution to the industry.

The business has also grown beyond its initial concept. Fresh For Paws has expanded its product portfolio, entered new categories, explored private-label opportunities, and begun working towards exports. Each development has encouraged Srishti to broaden her perspective and consider opportunities beyond the company's original scope.

These milestones reflect an entrepreneurial journey shaped by learning, experimentation, and the willingness to build on an idea that began with a deeply personal need.

From Entrepreneurship to Animal Welfare

While Fresh For Paws represents Srishti's entrepreneurial vision, Vanilla's influence extends beyond the business itself. The bond that inspired the brand also led her to establish Vanilla's Haven Trust, an initiative aimed at helping animals in need.

For Srishti, this initiative gives another dimension to the journey that began with wanting better for her own dog. It reflects her desire to contribute to the wider animal and pet community, extending her efforts beyond the commercial side of the pet-care industry.

The connection between Fresh For Paws and Vanilla's Haven Trust is rooted in a shared starting point: the belief that animals deserve care and attention. While one initiative focuses on pet food and nutrition, the other seeks to help animals in need.

Together, they represent how a personal experience can inspire both a business and a broader commitment to animal welfare.

A Global Dream for an Indian Brand

Looking ahead, Srishti envisions Fresh For Paws becoming a global pet-food brand that can make India proud and stand alongside leading international names.

Her plans include expanding the product portfolio, developing thoughtfully created nutritional options for different needs and life stages, strengthening the brand's presence across India, and building international markets through exports.

She also wants Fresh For Paws to continue contributing to the development of the Indian pet-food industry through better products, greater transparency, and increased awareness of pet nutrition.

For Srishti, growth is not measured by business expansion alone. It also means building a brand that pet parents can trust, creating a company with a meaningful purpose, and demonstrating that an Indian entrepreneurial venture can compete on the global stage through quality and innovation.

The vision is ambitious, but its foundation remains the same as it was at the beginning. A concern for one dog has grown into a business with broader aspirations, and the desire to make better choices for Vanilla has developed into a dream of reaching pets and pet parents around the world.

A Journey That Began with Vanilla

Srishti Bhatia's story is a reminder that entrepreneurship does not always begin in a boardroom or with years of business experience. Sometimes, it begins at home, with a personal problem that demands a better answer.

Her journey with Fresh For Paws illustrates how a simple idea can grow when it is supported by a clear purpose, a willingness to learn, and the determination to keep building despite unfamiliar challenges.

From establishing her place in a male-dominated industry to expanding her brand's offerings and exploring international opportunities, Srishti continues to work towards a vision that connects business growth with better pet nutrition. Through Vanilla's Haven Trust, that original bond has also inspired an effort to support animals beyond her own home.

What began with Vanilla has become much more than a search for better pet food. It has grown into an entrepreneurial journey, an evolving brand, and a larger dream for India's pet-food industry.

And as Srishti looks towards global markets, one belief continues to guide her: the care that inspired Fresh For Paws can reach far beyond where it first began.