Discover how Raghunandan Kamath turned a small Mumbai shop into Naturals Ice Cream—a ₹300 crore empire built on real fruit and honest work.
From a Small Shop to a ₹300 Crore Empire
Naturals Ice Cream isn’t just another dessert brand—it’s a story of how grit, simplicity, and originality can rewrite destiny. Founded by Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, a fruit vendor’s son from Mangalore, the brand today runs more than 165 outlets across India and is valued at over ₹300 crore.
Humble Beginnings in Mangalore
Born in a modest household, Kamath learned the art of selecting fresh fruits from his father, who sold mangoes in local markets. These early lessons about quality and ripeness stayed with him for life. At 14, he moved to Mumbai to work at his brother’s restaurant, where he first noticed how people loved ending their meals with something sweet.
The First Shop: Pav Bhaji Meets Ice Cream
In 1984, with just ₹3.5 lakh in savings and six employees, Kamath opened a 200 sq. ft shop in Juhu Koliwada, Mumbai. He sold both Pav Bhaji and fruit-based ice creams to attract customers. The concept clicked—his first-year revenue hit ₹5 lakh. Soon, he dropped Pav Bhaji entirely and focused on ice cream. His first five flavours—mango, custard apple, chocolate, strawberry, and cashew-raisin—became local legends.
What Made Naturals Different
While other ice cream brands relied on artificial flavours, Kamath believed in authenticity. He used real fruit pulp, milk, and sugar, avoiding synthetic colours and preservatives. This purity made Naturals Ice Cream stand out. His slogan, “Taste the Original,” became both a promise and a philosophy.
Growing Slowly but Strongly
Naturals didn’t rush expansion—it grew organically through word-of-mouth and quality consistency. By 2021, it had 135+ outlets nationwide, all operating profitably. Today, the company sources milk from Nashik and fruits from across India, ensuring that every scoop maintains Kamath’s original standards of freshness.
Innovation That Kept It Fresh
Kamath kept experimenting. From unique flavours like tender coconut and lychee to creative seasonal offerings like tilgul (sesame candy) and gajar halwa, he kept customers curious. Even feedback-based changes—like renaming “Pickle Mango” to “Wild Mango”—showed Naturals’ connection to its audience.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
- Start small, scale smart: Kamath began with a single shop and a clear vision.
- Build on your strengths: He turned his knowledge of fruits into a successful business.
- Never compromise on quality: Real ingredients build lifelong trust.
- Create an identity, not just a product: Naturals became synonymous with authenticity.
- Listen and adapt: Customer feedback shaped both flavours and brand tone.
Legacy of Raghunandan Kamath
When Raghunandan Kamath passed away in 2024, India didn’t just lose an entrepreneur—it lost a pioneer who proved that honest work and quality can create magic. His life continues to inspire small business owners and dreamers who believe that passion can outshine privilege.
About Marketing Mirrors
At Marketing Mirrors, we spotlight inspiring journeys of entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators who turned simple ideas into powerful brands. Our goal is to bring you real stories that motivate and educate—stories like that of Raghunandan Kamath, who built Naturals Ice Cream from scratch with integrity and heart.
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