In 1984, Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath embarked on a remarkable journey by establishing Naturals Ice Cream. His inaugural store nestled in Mumbai’s Juhu bore the fruits of his laborious upbringing. Kamath’s early days were spent assisting his father, who operated as a mango vendor in the serene landscapes of Karnataka’s countryside. In those rustic environs, he imbibed the secrets of selecting the perfect fruit, deftly plucking it, meticulous sorting, and the delicate art of preservation.
Despite his deep-rooted familial connection to the mango trade, Kamath’s aspirations led him to part ways with his father’s business. He ventured from the tranquility of Mangalore to the bustling streets of Bombay, where he took the momentous step of founding Naturals Ice Cream on the romantic date of February 14, 1984. At that humble outset, Kamath operated with a meager team of just four dedicated individuals and a palette of ten delectable ice cream flavors.
Uncertainty lingered in Kamath’s mind regarding the reception of his original ice cream creations by the public. To lure potential patrons, he ingeniously commenced his enterprise by offering Pav Bhaji as the main attraction, with ice cream as a delightful complement. With a modest repertoire of twelve ice cream flavors, the establishment gradually transformed into a thriving ice cream parlor.
As the years unfolded, Naturals Ice Cream achieved remarkable success, culminating in a remarkable retail turnover of Rs 300 crore in the fiscal year 2020. It earned a coveted place among India’s top 10 brands recognized for exceptional customer experiences in a survey conducted by KPMG. Kamath’s journey from mango vendor’s son to the founder of a celebrated ice cream empire serves as an inspiring testament to entrepreneurship and determination.
