At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Sangeeta Kalwani and Arati Shah for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Sangeeta & Arati are the Co-Founders of Cafe Nutrition. Let’s learn more about their backgrounds, inspiring journey so far and their advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Sangeeta & Arati:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
We are Sangeeta and Arati—two mothers whose paths crossed unexpectedly at a table tennis tournament in 2008.
Our seven-year-old sons were competing against each other, but it was between matches, sitting in the stands and sharing conversations, that something deeper emerged. As tournament after tournament went by, we began noticing a recurring gap—young athletes were training rigorously, yet their nutrition was often overlooked, inconsistent, or misunderstood.
What started as a simple conversation about food and performance soon became a shared concern—and eventually, a shared purpose. At the time, we were two women in our forties exchanging notes on how best to nourish growing athletes.
But beneath those conversations was a stronger realisation: nutrition was being treated as an afterthought, even though it plays a foundational role in health, performance, and recovery. We felt compelled to do something practical and meaningful about it.
Arati brought with her a strong academic and clinical foundation—Food Science & Nutrition, post-graduation in Sports Sciences & Nutrition, and a Fellowship in Clinical Nutrition. She had already spent years working at a sports sciences institute and later as a consultant, supporting individuals with performance goals, weight management, and medical nutrition needs.
Sangeeta came from a different but equally valuable world—commerce, IT, software development, and aviation entrepreneurship. Over time, her interest evolved from building businesses to building something that could truly support people’s health and everyday wellbeing. To strengthen this vision, she completed an International Professional Diploma in Nutritional Studies, adding a solid academic base to the venture.
Café Nutrition grew organically, step by step. We began with individual consultations, then expanded into corporate wellness programs, school nutrition initiatives, and nutrition services for pharmaceutical companies. As our understanding of real-world needs deepened, we also introduced our GoodEats range—starting with protein bars—created for people seeking healthier, convenient options amidst busy schedules, serious fitness routines, or competitive sports.
Over time, our roles naturally found their rhythm. Arati leads clinical practice and operations, working closely with clients to deliver evidence-based, personalised nutrition care. Sangeeta focuses on strategy, innovation, partnerships, and product development—ensuring Café Nutrition continues to evolve with integrity and relevance.
What began as a chance meeting between two mothers has today become a shared mission: to make nutrition practical, credible, and accessible—supporting health not just in theory, but in everyday life.
How did you discover your passion?
Healthy living has always been a natural part of our lives. Arati developed an early interest in nutrition and went on to study it formally, eventually choosing it as her lifelong profession. Sangeeta grew up in a home where health was a daily conversation—her mother being a doctor meant discussions around wellbeing, food, and prevention were a way of life.
This shared interest deepened when we became mothers. It grew even stronger as our children began playing competitive sports. We watched young athletes train with discipline and intensity, yet noticed a recurring challenge—most parents were unsure what to feed their children to support sustained energy, strength, and effective recovery.
Despite the effort children were putting into their sport, nutrition guidance for parents was often confusing, fragmented, or overly technical. The lack of clear, practical, and trustworthy advice became a turning point for us.
We realised we wanted to change that—to bridge the gap between scientific nutrition and everyday application, and to support young athletes and their families with guidance that was simple, effective, and sustainable.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
As mothers of young adults today, our children keep us grounded and focused. We want them to see that health is not something separate from work or home life—it is woven into everyday choices, from what goes on the plate to how we manage stress, rest, and recovery. Looking at life through that personal lens keeps our work honest, relevant, and real.
Some of the strategies that have helped us grow as individuals include:
Listening more than speaking – Sitting across from clients over the years has taught us the value of listening without judgment. Every individual brings a unique story, context, and set of challenges. When we truly listen, solutions emerge that are not only more effective but also more compassionate.
Staying rooted in science, while remaining flexible in practice – Our formal training anchors us firmly in evidence-based nutrition. At the same time, real life is rarely textbook-perfect. We have learnt to adapt plans to people’s routines, travel demands, family responsibilities, and emotional needs—rather than expecting them to fit into rigid frameworks.
Saying yes to new spaces – Expanding from clinical work into corporate wellness, schools, and pharmaceutical collaborations pushed us well beyond our comfort zones. Each new vertical demanded a different way of thinking and communicating, and that stretch has been a powerful driver of both personal and professional growth.
Leaning into each other’s strengths – We are very different in our work styles. Instead of trying to mirror each other, we’ve learned to value those differences. One of us naturally thinks in terms of systems, strategy, and innovation, while the other focuses deeply on clinical detail and day-to-day operations. This balance has strengthened not just the business, but us as individuals.
Committing to continuous learning – Curiosity has been central to our journey. Reading, attending professional sessions, and engaging with diverse networks have kept us evolving—ensuring we remain relevant, reflective, and open to growth.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For us, success is less about scale and more about the depth of impact on every life we touch. From the very beginning, our intention was never just to hand out diet charts, but to empower people with knowledge, context, and practical tools they could use long after the consultation ended.
One of our biggest realisations over the years has been that in India, food is deeply emotional. It carries memories, culture, celebration, and comfort. When nutrition advice ignores this reality, it rarely works. Approaching people with empathy rather than judgement creates trust—and that trust is what allows real, lasting change to happen.
The introduction of GoodEats was a direct response to what we consistently heard from our clients. People wanted healthier options that fit into real, busy lives—something nourishing, convenient, and aligned with their goals, without feeling restrictive or clinical. GoodEats grew naturally from those conversations, extending our philosophy beyond consultations into everyday choices.
What advice would you give to our readers?
If there is one thought we would like to leave your readers with, it is this: health is not a separate project you add to your life. It is the way you live your everyday life.
You don’t need perfection or dramatic change to begin. Start where you are, with what you have. Take one gentle, intentional step today—towards better nourishment, better rest, or better self-awareness. Over time, those small choices create lasting health.
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.
