Cooking is Self Care with Victoria Ho of Khalo
In this conversation, Victoria Ho tell us about her a journey into food and wellness, and how that sense of purpose drove her to launch her new Ayurvedic cooking system brand, Khalo. She discusses the interconnectedness of food, health, and personal growth, and how cooking serves as a form of self-care. Victoria highlights the challenges of building a brand in the CPG landscape and how she’s bringing what she’s learned as a CPG consultant, through Sherpa CPG, into building her own brand. Through Kahlo, she aims to make Ayurveda accessible and create a community that fosters connection and belonging. She talks about the value of community she’s found through organizations like Specialty Food Association and :Included CPG, and emphasizes the need for equity in supporting conscious brands. The discussion also highlights the significance of kindness and empathy in creating a better world.
Takeaways:
Victoria Ho emphasizes the importance of storytelling in her ventures.
Food serves as a universal language that connects humanity.
Cooking is a form of self-care and personal expression.
The journey of wellness is ongoing and requires conscious choices.
Kahlo aims to make Ayurveda accessible and approachable.
Building a brand involves creating a community of trust and belonging.
The food industry has a responsibility to guide consumers towards healthier choices.
Disconnection in the food system impacts health and wellness.
Consumer trust is crucial in navigating food choices.
The process of building a brand is filled with challenges and learning opportunities.
Launching a product in 2025 requires a different financial approach.
A company's success relies on its people.
Conscious leadership involves walking alongside customers.
Equity is essential for supporting conscious brands.
Kindness is fundamental to a better world.
Chapters
03:00 - Introduction to Victoria Ho and Her Ventures
05:56 - The Journey of Creating Impact through Food
08:36 - Food as a Connection to Self and Others
11:23 - The Role of Food in Wellness and Belonging
14:15 - Reconnecting with Cooking as a Ritual
17:32 - The Disconnection in the Food System
20:21 - Consumer Trust and the Food Industry's Responsibility
23:24 - Navigating Choices in a Processed Food World
26:13 - Kahlo: A New Brand with Purpose
29:07 - The Philosophy Behind Kahlo and Ayurveda
35:29 - Making Ayurveda Accessible
36:52 - Personal Journey of Healing
39:14 - Building a Company with Love
41:59 - The Role of Cooking in Wellness
45:20 - Effort and Convenience in Wellness
50:32 - Navigating Challenges in CPG
53:51 - Lessons in Leadership and Team Dynamics
01:07:29 - Community Engagement and the Specialty Food Association
01:16:22 - Defining Fancy in Food Culture
01:19:41 - Empowerment and Community in Specialty Food
01:21:16 - Creating Equity for Conscious Brands
01:26:03 - Amplifying Voices in the Specialty Food Industry
01:30:46 - The Role of Purpose in CPG
01:35:23 - Favorite Brands and Innovations
01:42:04 - Highlighting Unsung Heroes in CPG
01:48:03 - The Essence of a Better World
Sound Bites
"Food is the story of humanity. It's also the story of the planet.”
“Cooking and the kitchen have always been my happy place."
“A company is made up of people. And if you don't have the right people in that company, no matter how great your processes or systems or anything else are, that company is going to struggle.”
“Khalo in Hindi, loosely translates to come eat.”
“Don't get lost in the sauce. Find yourself through the sauce.”
“When I finished my last round of chemotherapy I had to relearn how to eat. I didn't know what hunger was anymore. My body was so confused. My gut was destroyed.”
“I've probably been on more than, I don't know, 500 production runs in my life.”
“I felt like I finally found my people when I went to my first Fancy Food show.”
“People wanna make healthy choices, but don't know where to start.”
“There's also so many insane brands in our community at :Included CPG that like impressed me every single day with how they're balancing heritage flavor and really helpful ingredients.”
