At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Neha Keddia for an exclusive interview with us. Neha Keddia is an Entrepreneur and Founder at Thalios & Frozen Affair. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Neha:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I am a Chartered Accountant by qualification and spent 12 years in active practice before following my true passion — food. My husband has been in the food industry for years, focusing on storage and distribution, and being closely connected to that space constantly fueled my curiosity and interest.
My inspiration, however, goes deeper. My grandmother and mother had once started a small home-based food business, which they ran successfully for three years. With minimal resources and almost no marketing, they built something that worked beautifully.
The only reason they stopped was because my mother had to move out of the city. Growing up around that, I could clearly see the immense opportunity and potential in this industry.
That passion, combined with my professional background and industry exposure, ultimately gave me the confidence to transition into the food business myself.
How did you discover your passion?
I have always been very fond of eating good food. For me, happiness can be as simple as a comforting plate of dal-chawal or as exciting as a burrito bowl or a thecha wrap. Food has always been more than just nourishment — it’s an experience.
During COVID, when everything slowed down, I found myself spending more time in the kitchen, cooking for my family. Trust me, it kept me sane during those uncertain times. Cooking became my stress buster, my way of staying grounded, and over time, it grew into something much bigger — a passion I could no longer ignore.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest source of motivation has been my grandmother-in-law. She is no longer with us, but her words still guide me every day: “Never say never — there is nothing in the world that you cannot do.” That belief has stayed with me and continues to push me forward.
Along with her wisdom, my family’s constant love, support, and belief in me have been my strength. They remind me why I started this journey and keep me going, even when challenges come my way.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Planning has always been second nature to me. Even during my CA days, I would map out my day, my week, and even my month well in advance. That habit of structured planning has been my biggest asset — it helps me balance work, kids, and home without losing focus.
This same approach has carried into my food journey. Whether it’s managing operations, experimenting with recipes, or planning growth strategies, I rely on that discipline to keep things on track.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
At a business level, I believe in clarity of vision, building smart operations, and always keeping customer needs at the centre. I also see the importance of diversifying through multiple revenue streams, ensuring stability and growth.
At a personal level, balance is key. I consciously divide my time between work and kids, and I’m grateful for the strong support system I have at home. I prioritise both physical and mental well-being, because only when I feel centred can I give my best. And most importantly, I make it a point to celebrate every milestone — no matter how small — because each step forward matters.
What advice would you give to our readers?
Over the years, I’ve come to live by a few simple yet powerful principles:
Believe in yourself — confidence is the foundation of growth.
Consistency beats perfection — showing up every day matters more than chasing flawlessness.
Keep learning — curiosity keeps you relevant and inspired.
Build systems — structure creates freedom and efficiency.
Create a balance — between work, family, and self-care.
Celebrate progress — every milestone, big or small, deserves recognition.
These values guide not just my business decisions, but also the way I live my life.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
