Charu Bhatia, Senior News Editor, Business Remedies, in conversation with Ketaki Badola, Founder of THE BISKIT CO
As India’s snacking habits undergo a quiet but significant transformation, driven by growing health awareness and ingredient consciousness, homegrown brands are stepping up to challenge legacy players. Among them is The Biskit Co, a Bangalore-based biscuit brand built on the principles of clean eating, honest ingredients and mindful indulgence. Founded by Ketaki Badola, a woman entrepreneur who turned dietary choices into a business vision, the brand rejects refined sugar, preservatives and palm oil in favor of millets, oats and natural sweeteners. In this Q&A session, the founder opens up about her journey, the realities of building a food brand from scratch, and why consistency and conscience matter as much as scale.
Q: You have started your own biscuit brand based in Bangalore. How did your entrepreneurial journey begin, and how did the brand evolve over time? Could you also tell us about your educational background?
A: My journey has been a mix of education, travel, personal choices and, most importantly, passion. I did my schooling in Bhilwara, a small town in Rajasthan, which gave me a grounded upbringing. Later, I pursued my master’s degree in International Business from Mumbai. That academic exposure opened my worldview and helped me understand global markets, consumer behavior and business dynamics at a deeper level.
After completing my studies, I started working in Singapore. Living there was a turning point in many ways. It exposed me to international food standards, diverse baking styles and healthier eating practices. During this phase, baking slowly became more than just a hobby for me. I started baking biscuits, cookies, cakes and breads at home, experimenting with recipes and ingredients.
Over the years, I moved across several cities, including Pune, and even returned to Rajasthan for a while before finally settling in Bangalore. During these transitions, baking remained a constant companion. However, when my children were growing up, I wanted to be more present as a mother. That led me to step away from baking professionally for some time.
Eventually, when I decided to return to work, I made a conscious decision to focus on biscuits. Unlike cakes and pastries, biscuits are non-perishable, have a longer shelf life, and can be transported across distances without compromising freshness. That practicality, combined with my love for biscuits, led to the formal launch of The Biskit Co.
From the very beginning, the brand was rooted in one clear philosophy: using clean, healthy and guilt-free ingredients. I have always been extremely conscious about what I eat, and I wanted my brand to reflect that mindset. The Biskit Co is essentially an extension of my own beliefs about mindful consumption and honest indulgence.
Q: Your brand positions itself as a healthier alternative. What makes The Biskit Co truly different from other biscuit brands in the market?
A: The core difference lies in our ingredients and intent. Our biscuits are made for everyone, children, adults, the elderly, without forcing consumers to compromise on health. Every batch we produce follows the same standardized process, ensuring consistency in taste, freshness and quality.
Unlike most commercial biscuits available in the market, we do not use refined white sugar, preservatives, emulsifiers or artificial sweeteners. This alone makes our products significantly different. Our biscuits can even be enjoyed as a dessert because they are genuinely guilt-free.
Another important distinction is the absence of refined flour, palm oil and hydrogenated fats. Instead, we use wholesome ingredients like oats, millets, ragi, jaggery, butter, nuts and natural spices. Our aim is to promote the idea of healthy snacking in India, something that is still evolving.
We manufacture our biscuits in Bangalore and ship them across India. One of our specialties is oats and millet-based biscuits. Oats biscuits often include dry fruits and chocolate chips, while millet-based biscuits use ragi and millet. We also incorporate ingredients like coconut, almonds, pistachios and cinnamon, all of which are known for their nutritional benefits. The focus is always on nutrition without compromising taste.
Q: Starting a business often comes with multiple challenges. What were some of the major hurdles you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A: The initial phase was undoubtedly challenging. When I started building the brand, my children were still very young. Managing a business while balancing family responsibilities required immense effort and emotional strength. Financial constraints were another major hurdle, as quality ingredients come at a cost.
One of the biggest challenges was educating consumers about pricing. Many people are used to inexpensive packaged biscuits, so explaining why our biscuits cost more required patience. For instance, we use butter instead of palm oil, which is significantly more expensive but far healthier.
Initially, marketing was limited to word-of-mouth, which took time to show results. Over time, social media became a powerful tool for us. It helped us reach a wider audience, share our story, and connect directly with health-conscious consumers. Persistence and belief in the product helped us navigate these challenges.
Q: As a woman entrepreneur, what specific challenges did you face both at home and in society while building your brand?
A: I have been fortunate to have a supportive family. My husband has played a crucial role, especially in managing household responsibilities when I was busy with work. However, societal expectations from women are deeply ingrained. There is often pressure to prioritize family over personal ambitions.
Gradually, I realized that my need to work was not financial alone, it was about purpose, identity and self-growth. Once I resumed, my husband became one of my biggest supporters.
Outside the home, people often hesitate to place full trust in women-led ventures. There is an unspoken skepticism. To counter that, consistency, optimism and resilience become essential. As a woman, balancing family and work is a continuous process, but determination makes it possible.
Q: Why did you choose Bangalore as the base for The Biskit Co?
A: Bangalore was not an immediate choice. I had previously worked in Pune, where I had a stable professional life. However, when my husband’s job required a move to Bangalore, I had to start from scratch once again.
Initially, the lack of a professional network and logistical challenges made things difficult. But Bangalore turned out to be receptive to experimental and health-focused food products. Over time, the response from customers was encouraging, which allowed the business to grow steadily. The city also gave me the space to experiment further with recipes and formats.
Q: Are you personally involved in the baking process, or is it handled entirely by a team?
A: I remain deeply involved in the core aspects of production. All major measurements and formulations are done by me to ensure consistency and quality. Packaging and manufacturing are handled by trained staff in the home kitchen, but the soul of the product remains very personal.
Q: Could you tell us about the ingredients you use and the different varieties of biscuits available?
A: We offer a wide range of biscuits. Our oats chocolate chip biscuits contain oats, jaggery, vanilla, wheat flour and chocolate chips. The ragi biscuits are made using ragi flour, coconut and jaggery.
One of my personal favorites is the double chocolate oats biscuit, made with oats, cocoa powder and butter. I first tasted a similar biscuit in Singapore and was surprised when my homemade version matched that flavor profile so closely.
We also offer gluten-free biscuits with a unique texture. Initially, I was unsure about their taste, but positive customer feedback made it one of my most satisfying achievements. Additionally, we make biscuits using jowar flour and gram flour, which are high in protein and add to the nutritional value.
Q: Consumers today are shifting towards healthier and homemade options. How do you view this change in consumer behaviour?
A: Today’s consumers are far more informed. They carefully read labels and understand the long-term impact of food on both physical and mental health. With increased purchasing power, people are now willing to invest in better-quality food products. This shift has created space for brands like ours that prioritize transparency and nutrition.
Q: Packaging plays a key role in branding. How do you ensure ethical and sustainable packaging practices?
A: Packaging is often the first point of interaction between the consumer and the product. We use clean, white-based pouches that convey hygiene and simplicity. While we are still transitioning away from plastic entirely, sustainability remains a long-term goal. Clear branding and contact information ensure transparency and trust.
Q: What is your long-term vision for The Biskit Co?
A: My vision is to establish The Biskit Co as a household name for healthy snacking. I want people to immediately think of our brand when they think of tea-time snacks or guilt-free indulgence.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs starting their journey today?
A: Take care of your mind and body, because entrepreneurship is as much a mental journey as a professional one. Above all, stay consistent. Success doesn’t come overnight, but persistence and belief in your vision make all the difference.
