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0The India–Scotland Entrepreneurial Journey! Today’s guest is Nishant Sharma. the Indian-born, Edinburgh-based entrepreneur whose company blends Indian heritage with Scottish craftsmanship. Nishant’s story is one of resilience, legacy and bold reinvention.
After leaving a successful career in financial services, he set out to build a brand with long-term meaning. Inspired by his late grandmother — and a family history that traces back to his great-grandfather becoming a whisky distiller during the British Raj — he brought his Assam roots into the heart of Scotland’s spirits industry.
The journey, however, was anything but smooth. At one point, the business had just £25 in the bank with major bills due. The stress led to a near-fatal heart attack at just 35. He survived. Rebuilt. And came back stronger. In this episode, we discuss building a global spirits brand against the odds. Operating in highly regulated markets; India's complicated relationship with alcohol, building a global brand. Great advice for first time founders. Why ignorance can be bliss; raising investment; and even how to drink it — ice or no ice? And finally… if India plays Scotland at cricket, who is he supporting?
We also talk about:
- Growing up in India and moving to Scotland
- First impressions of Scotland: cold, rainy… but kind people
- Working as a waiter, dishwasher and cleaner in Glasgow
- The family whisky connection during the British Raj
- Why he chose spirits
- Spending 4 years perfecting the recipe
- Creating the world’s first oolong white tea infused chai-spice spirit
- Why 2021 failed… and why 2022 failed again
- building without industry experience
- Building a global premium brand in a crowded market
- Expanding into India — why it’s not for the faint-hearted
- The aspirational Indian consumer market
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Hosted And Produced by Neil Patel
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Music by Punch Deck.
