Today we’d like to introduce you to Pallavi Pande.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in India, where meals were often served on banana leaves. Years later, while raising my daughters in Oregon and hosting a lot of parties, I noticed how much plastic and disposable waste surrounded everyday meals and celebrations. I have 10 years of expereince in warehousing and inventory and it was the right time to combine my nostalgia of cultural expereince into building an operational business combining the two. That childhood memory inspired me to launch Dtocs in 2019 from my garage, with a mission centered on People, Planet, and Parties.
Without a formal business background, I learned every part of entrepreneurship along the way, from importing and supply chain management to ecommerce, retail, and building a team. Dtocs grew to a global seven figure sustainable tableware brand, selling through Amazon, Amazon Business, UNFI.com, and all 11 Market of Choice stores across Oregon, with expansion into Canada and Europe.
Today, with Dtocs,we create economic opportunities for women in India, support children’s education, and help customers replace millions of single use plastic products. I started with a childhood memory and a desire to leave a better planet for my daughters, and that purpose continues to guide every decision I make.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been access to capital. As a product based business, we must invest heavily in inventory, shipping, warehousing, and marketing long before receiving revenue from those products. Traditional funding was difficult to access, so I relied on PayPal Business loans to purchase inventory and keep the company growing.
Managing cash flow while scaling the business required difficult decisions, careful planning, and taking personal financial risks. These challenges have taught me how to adapt, manage resources wisely, and keep moving forward even when the path changes unexpectedly.
We’ve been impressed with Dtocs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dtocs is a sustainable tableware brand built around People, Planet, and Parties, because apparently even plates can have a purpose! We make palm leaf and bamboo fiber plates, bowls, trays, meal prep containers, bento boxes, and clamshells for homes, events, caterers, restaurants, and foodservice businesses.
What makes our products different is that they are compostable, sturdy, and actually look beautiful on a table. Our palm leaf pieces are made from naturally fallen leaves, so no two look exactly alike. One Amazon customer even gave us a one star review because the plates were “too pretty to throw away.” I did not know whether to laugh, cry, or frame the review!
Today, Dtocs products are available through Amazon and Amazon Business in the United States, Canada, and Europe, UNFI.com, our website, and all 11 Market of Choice stores across Oregon. We also work directly with event planners, caterers, retailers, and organizations that want to replace plastic without making their tables look boring.
What makes me most proud is the impact behind every plate. Dtocs supports employment for women in India, educational scholarships for children, and sewing machines that help women earn an income. We have also helped replace millions of single use plastic products. So yes, we sell plates, but we are really trying to make celebrations better for people and the planet, one party at a time.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to start before you feel completely ready, because honestly, that day may never come. I started Dtocs without a business degree, a large team, or a perfect plan. I learned by asking questions, making mistakes, listening to customers, and figuring out the next step as I went.
I wish I had understood cash flow much earlier. Revenue may look exciting, but inventory, shipping, marketing, and daily expenses can quickly humble you. Know your numbers, protect your cash, and do not confuse sales with profit.
Also, build relationships before you need something. Many of my biggest opportunities came through people who knew my story and believed in my mission. Finally, do not compare your beginning to someone else’s chapter twenty. Entrepreneurship can look glamorous online, but behind every exciting announcement are many unanswered emails, rejected applications, and late nights. Keep showing up, stay flexible, and remember why you started.
Pricing:
- 14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dtocs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtocsplates
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dtocsplates
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallavi-pande-bb5abb1b/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Dtocsplates
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9fvPs051hLboYHa_XjxlUg
