Growing up in India, Pallavi Pande, remembers eating on banana leaves. When she immigrated to the United States, she witnessed firsthand the extent to which Americans rely upon disposable plates and dinnerware – and knew she wanted to create a better solution. In 2019, Pande started Dtocs, which sells eco-conscious, single-use tableware made from naturally fallen palm leaves – a callback to her own childhood dining experiences. Today, the Portland, Oregon–based entrepreneur has grown her business into a multimillion-dollar company that gives back 1% of its proceeds to the majority-female workforce who manufacture their products back in her homeland.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
Our tableware is not just 100% biodegradable – it also adds a unique aesthetic to your dining table. Unlike other products that may use a mix of materials, we ensure purity and simplicity in our product’s composition.
We also pride ourselves on a manufacturing process that does not involve any chemicals or synthetic additives. And finally, our business supports the communities where our raw materials are sourced by providing fair wages.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
Selling 10 million palm leaf tableware units, earning $1.8 million in cumulative revenue since 2019, and greatly reducing single-use plastic and paper waste. Stacked, these plates would be equivalent to approximately 154.32 Eiffel Towers in height!
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Effectively communicating the particulars of our eco-friendly tableware and rising above in a crowded space, all on a small marketing budget. To address this, we’ve secured 24,000 in funding through pitch competitions, grants and accelerator programs. We’ve leveraged targeted social media campaigns, influencer partnerships and engaging storytelling to highlight our products’ sustainability, unique aesthetic appeal, and practical benefits. This approach has not only increased brand visibility, but also educated consumers on the environmental impact of their choices.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that affected your business decisions?
Witnessing firsthand the detrimental impact of plastic waste on natural environments during a family retreat to a coastal area. The experience reinforced our commitment to sustainability and inspired us to innovate further in developing our eco-friendly tableware’s packaging, as well as our logistics processes and partnerships. We’re ensuring that every aspect of our business aligns with our core mission.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Remain deeply connected to your values, especially during challenging times. Staying true to what drives you not only provides you with a clear direction, but also resonates with customers who share those values. Additionally, embracing flexibility and being open to pivot as needed is crucial – the ability to adapt to market feedback and changes can transform potential setbacks into opportunities for growth.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
We often receive messages on social media from customers expressing their admiration for our mission to empower women in India, as well as their love for our eco-friendly products. Hearing how Dtocs has played a role in making customer’s events both memorable and sustainable fills me with immense pride.
But what truly inspires me are the transformative stories from our initiatives – like when we provided sewing machines to the women of Anmol Sahara NGO in India. That became the start of one woman’s journey to starting her own tailoring business; another opened a fashion school to teach sewing to other women. These are testaments to the profound ripple effect of our efforts. These stories are not just feedback; they’re a beacon of hope and motivatione.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“Unstoppable” by Sia.
Who is your most important role model?
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. Chouinard’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical business practices and corporate responsibility deeply resonates with our core values. And, his ability to build a successful, mission-driven company that prioritizes the planet over profit inspires our own journey towards creating a more sustainable future through eco-friendly products. ◼
Instagram: @Dtocsplates
Facebook: @Dtocsplates
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