15 small businesses worth checking out
Just the list you need this holiday and gifting season!
Hello, thanks for subscribing to Over a Coffee — a newsletter where I review and recommend lifestyle brands, and share conversations with founders or those involved in building our favourite brands. ✨
I've been away from Over a Coffee for a while because sickness and work have kept me busy. But, now I am back. Every holiday season, I talk about homegrown and small businesses worth shopping from. Today, I’m sharing 15 brands worth checking out. 👇
Aarka by Aarushi
I've been closely following Aarka's journey ever since Aarushi Singh launched it, and from designs to packaging, Aarka follows a sustainable approach. This Hyderabad-based jewellery brand is known for its handcrafted pieces, where old-world charm meets contemporary grace. I love their pendants and bracelets and have gifted them to friends over the years, and I know they've shopped from Aarka later.
What makes Aarka more impressive is the label’s approach towards production and consumption. When asked how they produce in small batches and ensure they're sustainable throughout the process, Aarushi says 👇
We do not manufacture more than 20-25 pieces at any given time to reduce OVERCONSUMPTION. This helps us rotate the inventory to bring newer styles, and the quality plating we provide prevents it from ending in a landfill. From “Mine to Market”, we make sure our products bring almost zero impact on the environment, such that it isn’t involved with conflict, and give back to workers through fair wages and safe working environments. Our packaging includes a recycled spool instead of bubble wrap, a velvet pouch instead of a plastic bag, and we use self-adhesive brown paper instead of plastic tape. What more could one ask for?
Siesta O’Clock
While it might always be summer in Goa, you'll find a slice of summer anywhere if you wear Siesta O'Clock's clothing. Run by Rene Varma and Vaibhav Sharma, this Goan-based brand is known for its comfy shirts with prints like lazy beach doggos, vintage garrafao, colourful fish, baby pandas, etc.
Perfect for beaches, brunches, and resorts — Siesta's clothes are made from 100% cotton, and they upcycle leftover scraps of cloth into buntings and handwoven bamboo bags. Plus, they don't use any plastic in their packaging.
Nivaala
Nivaala, which also means a mouthful (or morsel) in Urdu, is one of my latest finds. And it made me wonder if I lived under the rock for not following them.
Whether you love food or endearing stories about food, you'll discover treasure with Nivaala. They're on a mission to inspire people to document family recipes and pass them on to the next generations, and that's what made me pre-order their latest book, Memories on a Plate. While I can't wait to get my hands on it, I recommend you spend time on their socials and website — and, of course, pick something you like. After all, what are we without stories of food and history?
Experience Beauty with Nivaala
Nilay Studio
Clouds on coffee cups and cone-shaped ice-cream cups? Ceramic brand Nilay Studio offers all that and more. Their handmade products include ceramic crockery, home decor, and handpainted cups. If you can't get enough of ceramics but don't want to burn a hole in your pocket, this studio should be on your radar. Plus, these folks retail out of Swiggy Minis, too!
Get Some Eye Candy from Nilay Studio
We Are Labeless
We Are Labeless, run by Mehak Tariq Beigh and Pallavi Yadav, started with a beautiful mission. This brand rehabilitates women from distressed areas and empowers them through meaningful work and fair wages. As believers of zero waste, they upcycle scraps into accessories, too. If you like lots of prints, bright little bags, and tops with flouncy sleeves — say hello to We Are Labeless.
Shop Ethically from We Are Labeless
Tara Books
I can't imagine a gifting season without books, and if you've been meaning to support indie publishers, check out Tara Books. Known for its diverse range of children's books, handmade books, and collections on art, cinema, and wildlife — Tara believes in an immersive reading experience. Three books I recommend: The Women I Could Be by Sangita Jogi, Little Girls Are Wiser Than Man by Leo Tolstoy, Hassan Zahreddine, and To Market! To Market! by Anushka Ravishankar, Emanuele Scanziani.
And, oh, they also sell quirky and illustrated cards that you can send with your gifts!
Bon Fiction
Bon Fiction handpicks cacao from farms in Godavari and whips chocolates in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. This brand believes in ethical and sustainable production and does so while working closely with farmers. I love that they make diverse chocolates — milk, vegan, infusion, and fruit.
If you believe in mint and chocolate, get your hands on A Marvellous Mint Life, and prefer chili in your bar, The Cranberry Chilli Chase might catch your fancy. Their vegan variants are equally good.
21 Fools
21 Fools' journey is so incredible! 🤩
Known for their plantable Rakhis and Diwali gifts, 21 works with the Sanganeri craftswomen community, artisans, and farmers from other Indian villages. Their handmade, biodegradable notebooks and journals are made from pre-consumed cotton waste and recycled paper. About time to stock up on organisers, isn’t it?
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out their plantable seeds.
Pahadi Local
If I had to pick one skincare brand to live with, it would be Pahadi Local! 🤷🏼♀️
Their skincare range is gentle and ethically made by the natives of Himachal Pradesh and its surroundings. While their facial mists are refreshing, my favourite product is their face mask. They source ingredients ethically and believe in giving back to the community. Check out their initiatives here.
Something’s Brewing
If you love coffee and don't have Something's Brewing on your go-to list of places to shop from, you're committing a cardinal sin! 🙈
From equipment for both coffee shops and home brewing to coffee from diverse Indian estates — Something's Brewing offers a great discovery. If you enjoy light roast, I recommend Black Baza Jumping Ants, Bili Hu Monsooned Malabar, and Rossette Ratnagiri. Brewing at home? This Hario Mizudashi cold brew pot and Aeropress Go are great picks.
Get a Whiff of Something's Brewing
Kavana
When I stumbled upon Kavana on Instagram, I fell a bit in love with their designs. Flowing kurtas, elegant sarees, and timeless designs aren't the only reasons to shop from Kavana, though. Crafting apparel from handlooms, this label believes in extending a safe working environment and fair wages.
Every product description offers sustainability values, which carry information on its fabric, production, etc. I'm already eyeing their Gulkand Linen Sari and Shadab Kurta Set. If you want to keep it minimalistic this festive season, check these out.
The Cai Store
Walking in Cai's footwear is a lot like walking on a bed of marshmallows. Beautiful, vegan, and handmade, I love how comfortable and beautiful their footwear is. For instance, this one has been on my list, and I know for a reason it's perfect for brunches and even work.
Jandhyala Pickles
Lunches without pickles are incomplete, and this brand makes absolutely delicious pickles and crisps. They source their veggies and ingredients from farmers and local vendors; their pickles are also preservative-free. I'm yet to try their stuff out, but my friends and cousins have — all I know is they've got good taste.
Eat a Happy Meal with Jandhyala Pickles
Murtle
Murtle is beyond awesome! 💖
We all have accessories and leather goods that have overlived their time, and we either discard them or leave them in a corner. Murtle upcycles them like they're brand new and gives them a new lease of life. Got something that needs fixing? A loved one owns something precious but worn out? DM them and get talking.
Psst..they also craft footwear with exchangeable straps! Totally worth checking out. And did I mention how incredible their Instagram game is?
A New Lease of Life with Murtle
Monsoon & Chai
Monsoon and Chai, as the name promises, makes organic and natural-scented candles that invoke the aroma of the woods, all things botanical, and comfort. You'll find all the usual suspects — lavender, bergamot, vanilla, and citrus. But my favorite is the Coffee & Vanilla scent! The candles are hand-poured, and they use no plastic; they also have a refill option. Check it out here.
Phew! This is one long list, but I had so much fun curating this.
Which brand caught your eye? And what are you shopping for this holiday season? I’d love to know — reply or comment. For everything else, I hope you’re shopping from your local stores.
And that’s it from me! I’ll see you in a bit with another recommendation. 👋