Revant Himatsingka aka Food Pharmer shared a thoughtful update recently in the firm’s first-ever public board meeting video. His comments express a new and ambitious way to establish a food brand—based on transparency, trust with customers, and engagement with communities. Here’s a summary of the main points he made and what they imply for the future of the company and India’s changing food landscape.
A Strong Launch Without Ads or Discounts
Revant Himatsingka began by pointing out a staggering statistic: “On July 23rd, we launched ‘Only What’s Needed’ and earned ₹1.36 crore in net revenue that month—without spending a single rupee on advertisement or running any discount offers.” That is remarkable because most brands greatly depend on advertisements and offers to push early sales.
What’s notable here is the strength of a clean product and direct-to-consumer access through their own website. By bypassing third-party markets like Amazon or fast commerce apps, they had full control of the customer experience and margins. Having only one product to sell at first helped concentrate marketing efforts and quality control.
Customer Love for Simple, Honest Packaging
One of the highlights Revant discussed was the positive feedback towards exclusive packaging features. According to him, “Customers loved our Sugar Board fridge magnet and the Braille nutrition label on our packs.” But the biggest hit was the pie chart of ingredients, printed in big fonts on the front of the pack.
This plain honesty regarding what actually goes into the product rang so loudly with customers. It’s obvious today’s socially responsible consumers value being told the truth in straightforward and uncomplicated terms, and Himatsingka’s team got this just right.
Website Glitches and Logistical Speed Bumps
Revant Himatsingka didn’t avoid talking about not-so-good times. “We encountered website glitches, lost two orders, and had delivery delays with some,” he confessed. This degree of transparency regarding initial challenges is unusual but valuable for establishing long-term trust.
Logistics is still one of the most challenging areas for startups, particularly when having a direct-to-consumer business. But publicly admitting these challenges shows accountability and a desire to change.
Transparency in Pricing and Margins
Most remarkable of the update, however, was Revant’s declaration: “We made our whole pricing public right on the checkout page, something that may be a first in history.” He disclosed their pre-tax profit to be 5%, highlighting that the brand is not concerned with growth at the expense of aggressive margin-building but instead targets sustainable growth.
By failing to list products on Amazon or quick commerce—because of exorbitant commission fees—they opted for openness and control, albeit at the cost of slower expansion. This is a risky move in a marketplace where accelerating growth comes at the expense of margins.
What’s Next? New Products and Community Involvement
Looking to the future, Revant spoke about thrilling initiatives with an unflavored whey protein upcoming and early research on plant-based proteins. Most importantly, customers are being empowered to make product choices by voting on the website—giving them real power.
This democratic product development is in complete sync with their brand philosophy and is a new benchmark for customer empowerment in India’s food sector.
Marketing Without Ads: Growing Through Community
Revant ended the meeting with a call to action: “Our marketing expenditure is zero, and it will remain zero as long as you share videos like this.” It’s a simple but powerful reminder that sustainable growth for their brand is possible only through organic support and word-of-mouth and not through advertising.
By sharing each step—profits, setbacks, and plans—they are inviting customers to become co-creators of India’s first democratically created food platform.
Monthly Transparency
Lastly, Revant guaranteed monthly public board meetings to maintain transparency’s flame burning and growing. This regular update not only fosters accountability but also reinforces the community surrounding the brand.
Through combining radical transparency, customer empowerment, and a focus on product integrity, Revant Himatsingka and the “Only What’s Needed” team are forging a distinctive path in India’s food startup landscape. Theirs is a tale of trust, fearlessness, and growth through community—a welcome respite that can encourage many more.
Check out the video shared on social media:
