Former Urban Planner Builds $2.8 Million Ice Cream Empire

Former urban planner Pooja Bavishi has proven that bold ideas and persistence can turn passion into profit after building her ice cream company Malai into a business generating $2.8 million in annual revenue.

The 42-year-old entrepreneur founded the Brooklyn-based company in 2015 after deciding to pursue a childhood dream of spreading joy through desserts. Today, her company operates four physical stores across New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. while expanding through wholesale partnerships and e-commerce sales.

What makes Malai stand out in America’s crowded dessert market is its use of flavors inspired by Indian spices and family traditions. Instead of relying only on classic vanilla and chocolate, Bavishi introduced combinations featuring cardamom, saffron, rose, ginger, nutmeg, and star anise.

That unique concept started during a dinner party in 2014 while she was studying for an MBA at New York University. She served homemade ice cream flavored with ginger and star anise, and the reaction from friends convinced her she had found something special.

Soon after, Bavishi began selling handmade ice cream at outdoor markets across New York City. She used a camping freezer, relied on friends for support, and asked customers for direct feedback. That strategy helped her understand demand, refine flavors, and identify loyal buyers before opening a permanent store.

Her breakthrough came when a food writer from The New York Times discovered the brand and featured it in 2015. The publicity drove online orders and gave Malai valuable national exposure.

However, growth came with serious risk. Bavishi accumulated nearly $200,000 in credit card debt to open the company’s first brick-and-mortar store in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood. She later paid it off over two years while continuing to scale operations.

That gamble paid off. Malai became profitable in 2024 and remained profitable in 2025. The company has also raised $1.8 million in outside funding, helping finance store openings and production growth. Bavishi remains the majority owner.

Now, the entrepreneur is focused on expanding nationwide through grocery stores and retail partnerships. She wants more families across America to keep Malai products in their freezers and experience flavors rooted in Indian heritage.