For the co-founders of Olivia Creamery, true indulgence isn’t about novelty—it’s about creating moments of joy through exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful experiences, and unwavering attention to detail.

By Journalist Priya Lalwani

Luxury isn’t always defined by rarity; sometimes, it’s found in the simplest of pleasures, perfected with intention. For Malika Chawla Batra, Head Chef & Co-Founder, and Srishti Chawla, Co-Founder of Olivia Creamery, that pleasure is ice cream. Together, they have transformed a familiar dessert into an artisanal experience rooted in culinary precision, premium ingredients and emotional connection. At The Founder’s Edit, the sister duo shares insights on building a purpose-led luxury food brand, preserving craftsmanship while scaling, and why trust—not trends—has become Olivia Creamery’s greatest ingredient.

Unlike many entrepreneurial journeys that begin with a single breakthrough moment, Olivia Creamery was born from years of quiet observation.

During her culinary training and travels, Malika experienced artisanal ice creams where texture was treated with the same importance as flavour. Returning to India, she noticed a significant difference in the way many commercial ice creams were produced. High overrun—where more air is incorporated during production—created lighter textures, but often at the expense of richness and indulgence.

She saw an opportunity to build something different.

Rather than focusing on novelty alone, Malika envisioned a luxury ice cream brand built around craftsmanship: small-batch production, minimal overrun, premium ingredients and the kind of creamy mouthfeel usually associated with fine pastry or handcrafted chocolate. Every flavour would be approached with technical precision, allowing the quality of ingredients and texture to become the true stars of the experience.

While Malika brought culinary expertise, Srishti brought a different perspective.

Having spent years in luxury retail, she understood that exceptional brands are remembered not only for what they sell, but for how they make people feel. Together, their complementary backgrounds shaped a company that extends beyond the product itself—one that considers branding, hospitality, packaging and customer experience with equal care.

For both founders, entrepreneurship demanded patience long before it offered certainty.

They stepped away from comfortable career paths to build something they genuinely believed in, resisting the temptation to chase rapid expansion before earning customer trust. Growth was never the first objective; consistency was.

That philosophy continues to influence every decision the company makes.

Olivia Creamery was never built with the ambition of becoming the largest artisanal ice cream brand. Instead, the founders set out to become one that people genuinely trust. Whether introducing a new flavour, entering a new city or responding to changing consumer preferences, every decision is filtered through one question: does it preserve the experience that customers have come to love?

Listening closely to evolving lifestyles has become just as important as developing new recipes.

From gifting occasions and festive celebrations to mindful indulgence and changing dietary preferences, Olivia continuously adapts to the way people celebrate and consume today. For the founders, staying relevant isn’t about chasing every trend—it’s about understanding how modern rituals evolve while remaining true to the brand’s identity.

In an increasingly competitive premium food landscape, Olivia Creamery distinguishes itself not through spectacle, but through substance.

The founders believe premium products are often misunderstood. Exceptional ice cream isn’t defined by unusual flavours or elegant packaging alone. Instead, true quality lies in the details consumers may never immediately see: ingredient sourcing, production methods, texture, balance and craftsmanship.

For Malika, the word “artisanal” itself has become overused.

Real craftsmanship isn’t simply about producing in smaller batches. It’s about remaining deeply involved at every stage of creation, making thoughtful decisions that ultimately shape the final experience. Today’s consumers, she believes, are remarkably discerning. Once they experience genuine quality, they instinctively recognise the difference between careful craftsmanship and clever marketing.

That same commitment extends to growth.

For Olivia Creamery, scalability isn’t about producing more—it is about ensuring every scoop delivers the same richness, warmth and attention to detail as the very first batch. Modern American ice cream technology supports consistency behind the scenes, but the recipes, ingredients and production philosophy remain firmly rooted in artisanal practices.

Technology, in this case, enhances craftsmanship rather than replacing it.

The founders also define their customer differently from conventional consumer brands.

Rather than segmenting audiences through age or income alone, Olivia speaks to people who value thoughtful living. Their customers appreciate quality ingredients, meaningful experiences and the joy of slowing down—whether they’re celebrating birthdays, hosting intimate dinners or simply elevating an ordinary afternoon with something extraordinary.

One insight, however, has shaped Olivia’s product development more than any other.

Consumers no longer believe indulgence and mindful eating have to exist separately.

That understanding inspired the introduction of Olivia’s sugar-free and vegan collections—not as trend-driven innovations, but as thoughtful responses to genuine customer conversations. Throughout the journey, the founders discovered that customers possess an extraordinary instinct for quality. They recognise balance, texture and flavour even if they can’t always articulate what makes one product superior to another.

Innovation, therefore, begins with listening.

Community, too, is cultivated through real-life experiences rather than digital engagement alone.

While social media introduces customers to Olivia Creamery, loyalty is built when the brand becomes part of birthdays, festive tables, thoughtful gifts, anniversaries and family celebrations. These moments carry emotional significance, and the founders believe trust is earned every time someone chooses Olivia to become part of their memories.

Looking towards the future, they see one defining shift shaping premium food.

Consumers are becoming increasingly informed about sourcing, sustainability, ingredients and transparency. Rather than viewing this growing awareness as a challenge, the founders see it as an opportunity for businesses to build deeper trust through honesty and quality. The brands that combine technological innovation with authenticity, they believe, will define the next generation of premium food experiences.

Although revenue remains an important business metric, it isn’t how Olivia measures success.

For Srishti and Malika, trust remains the brand’s truest indicator of health. Every repeat order represents more than another transaction—it reflects confidence. Even more meaningful is seeing Olivia become part of birthdays, baby showers, festive celebrations and thoughtful gifts. When customers choose the brand for life’s most personal occasions, they are placing their own reputation behind that recommendation.

As the company has grown, the founders’ roles have naturally evolved while remaining grounded in their individual strengths.

Malika continues to spend time in the kitchen tasting, refining recipes and working alongside the culinary team because she believes great food can never become disconnected from its creator. Leadership, for her, means nurturing craftsmanship and creating a culture where quality becomes instinctive rather than enforced.

Srishti, meanwhile, has transitioned from managing everyday operations to shaping the long-term vision, culture and strategic direction of the company. Her leadership philosophy centres on empowering teams, protecting the brand’s values and recognising that consistency—not perfection—is what ultimately builds lasting trust.

Reflecting on the journey, both founders share a remarkably similar perspective on setbacks.

For Malika, every recipe that failed and every sourcing challenge became an opportunity to refine her craft. Patience, she believes, is one of the most valuable ingredients in both food and entrepreneurship.

For Srishti, difficult moments have never represented failure. Instead, they have strengthened systems, clarified priorities and reinforced the importance of remaining committed to long-term values instead of short-term solutions.

Together, those lessons have shaped more than an ice cream brand.

They have shaped a philosophy.

At Olivia Creamery, luxury isn’t created through extravagance. It is crafted through consistency, intention and the quiet confidence that every detail—no matter how small—has been thoughtfully considered. In a market increasingly crowded with products competing for attention, that commitment to craftsmanship may well be Olivia Creamery’s most enduring flavour.