The Story Behind the UK's First Desi Cocktail Brand with Danika Hossain

<p>Danika Hossain co-founded Bhangra Blends, the UK&#39;s first South Asain inspired ready-to-drink cocktail brand, taking it from home-tested recipes to retail shelves and a £167k raise, all straight out of university.</p><p>We talk about the origin story behind Bhangra Blends, building a product from kitchen experiments to commercial manufacturing, and raising funding as young South Asian female founders.</p><p> Danika breaks down startup jargon most people are too embarrassed to ask about (SEIS, cap tables, FMCG), why every founder needs an advisory board, and how she&#39;s kept her friendship with her co-founder intact through the chaos of building a business.</p><p><br></p><p> We also get into brand building, rebranding without fear of being &quot;annoying,&quot; and choosing organic growth over chasing every opportunity. </p><p><br></p><p>If you&#39;ve ever wanted to start a business but have no idea where to begin,  this episode is for you.</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 Intro: Meet Danika, co-founder of Bhangra Blends</p><p>00:19 Introducing the UK&#39;s first Indian-inspired cocktail brand</p><p>00:51 The origin story of Bhangra Blends</p><p>01:55 The product development journey from home testing to retail</p><p>03:24 Raising £167k and the commercial manufacturing process</p><p>05:00 Breaking funding barriers as a young South Asian female founder</p><p>06:45 Startup jargon busted: SEIS, Cap Tables, and FMCG</p><p>10:45 Why you need an advisory board and how to build one</p><p>14:05 How to maintain a friendship with your co-founder</p><p>16:34 Balancing startup life and personal relationships in your 20s</p><p>18:13 Business expectations vs. reality and advice to younger self</p><p>21:07 Creating a vibrant brand aesthetic and community</p><p>24:00 Rebranding and getting over the fear of being &quot;annoying&quot;</p><p>26:04 Focusing on organic sales and relationship building</p><p>29:08 Building resilience through the highs and lows of business</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Danika/ Bhangra Blends </p><p><a href="https://bhangrablends.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://bhangrablends.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bhangrablends/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/bhangrablends/?hl=en</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bhangra-blends/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/company/bhangra-blends/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Send this episode to someone who you want to try Bhangra Blends with the next time you order Indian takeout :)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER</strong></p><p>Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.</p><p><a href="https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes">https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>WORK WITH ME</strong></p><p>Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.</p><p><a href="https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1">https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1</a></p><p><br></p><p>Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.</p><p><br></p><p>Book a Strategy Session : <a href="https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07">https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&amp;month=2026-07</a></p><p><br></p><p>Book a discovery call : <a href="https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1">https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1</a></p><p><br></p><p>Join the next personal branding sprint : <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/view