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“Everything started because somebody started it. Somebody felt that need, ‘Okay, this is not there. Let me take care of this and let me contribute the way I can.’ Of course we can't conquer the world—we're not capable. But we can all do our part and contribute in some ways and we have to start because I believe doing is powerful… because not doing is not.”
Growing up in India, Pallavi Pande spent her childhood eating her meals off of banana leaves—a memory she cherished so much that she wanted to share it with her children… and the rest of the world. Today, Pallavi is the BIPOC mompreneur and founder of Dtocs, a company that crafts sustainable single use tableware from fallen palm leaves. Recognizing the environmental impact of traditional disposable tableware, Pallavi drew from her Indian heritage and established Dtocs in 2019 to offer a greener alternative for both households and events. Beyond her innovative products, Pallavi is deeply committed to social causes, leveraging Dtocs to support community upliftment, women's empowerment, and education for underserved children. Dtocs stands in a testament to Pilates dedication, not only to offering a sustainable dining alternative, but also to making a meaningful impact on society, one palm leaf plate at a time. Tune in and hear our conversation with Pallavi about building a seven figure brand, using Amazon to scale her business, and how she makes sure to prioritize flexibility and independence.
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Guests
Pallavi Pande
Founder of Dtocs
Hosts
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
Richelle Pena
Richelle is a pharmacist with extensive management and corporate experience at Target Corporation, specializing in recruitment, acquisitions, leadership, and operations. She is the Co-Founder and Former Director of Corporate Development at American Pediatric Dental Group, which she exited for eight figures, and Co-Founder of HealthBiz Mastery, an online health business course for healthcare providers, and the HealthBiz Connect community. A recognized business expert and NBC contributor, she’s been featured on GMA, CNN, Pix 11, Good Day Washington, to name a few. Richelle is also the co-author of The Power Couple.
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