Cultivating Resilience in Business: Lessons From the Food Industry

KIRAN MANN

CEO, Brar’s

At Brar’s, a company that continues to be a cornerstone of ethnic Indian food in Canada for about four decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance of resilience in navigating the ever-changing landscape of business. Looking back, our journey from a small sweets shop in Toronto’s Little India to becoming one of the leading global ethnic food brands reflects the incredible power of adaptability and innovation.

In today’s food industry, resilience is not just about surviving economic shifts or supply chain challenges. We must embrace change and stay ahead of the constantly evolving consumer trends. At Brar’s, our mission is to uphold the highest quality standards while also introducing innovative products that resonate with diverse palates.

For instance, we recently added Ghee (clarified butter) to our ‘Dairy’ range, merging tradition with modern health trends. India’s love for ghee is world-renowned, and this product not only caters to the growing demand for healthy fats but also highlights the importance of leveraging unique cultural ingredients to create value for our customers.

Even during the pandemic, the unprecedented challenges pushed us to reevaluate our business strategies but we continued to stick to our core principles. We doubled down on local sourcing, ensuring that our paneer (cottage cheese), ghee, and other dairy products continued to be made from milk sourced locally, free from artificial growth hormones. This decision not only supported local farmers but also reinforced our brand’s promise of authenticity and quality.

One thing I have learnt is that true resilience is built on staying true to your core values. Growth should never come at the expense of identity. As Dial Pabla, the founder of Brar’s, often says “I will never feed my customers something that I can’t feed my grandchildren’

For Brar’s, this means upholding our commitment to quality and tradition, even as we scale.

Over the years, I’ve also learned resilience involves building strong relationships – with customers, employees, and the community. At Brar’s, our customers’ trust is what drives us to innovate continually. From expanding our product catalog to include ready-to-eat snacks and sweets to ensuring our restaurants serve freshly prepared meals daily, we’ve prioritized meeting our customers’ expectations while staying true to our roots.

Another aspect of resilience is sustainability. More and more, I see consumers wanting to know not just what they’re eating but how it’s made and its impact on the environment. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement we’re proud to be part of. At Brar’s, we’ve made changes, like reducing food waste and shifting to eco-friendly packaging. It’s about more than business—it’s about creating a future we all want to live in.

As we look to the future, I’m inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead. Resilience, for me, is about maintaining a growth mindset—learning from challenges and using them as a springboard for innovation. At Brar’s, our journey continues with a focus on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, proving that resilience isn’t just about weathering the storm—it’s about emerging stronger.