Today we’d like to introduce you to Ushma Patel Malvika Mohan
Hi Ushma Patel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our journey began in 2004, when we met through our husbands, Retesh Mohan and Rikki Patel. Over the years, we bonded over family adventures, shared meals, and countless conversations about life, health, and the future. Fast-forward nearly two decades to April 2023: While our families and friends were at the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park, we found ourselves casually tossing around ideas about how to live a healthier lifestyle.
We started to share our struggles with health and wellness, especially in the post-Covid world. Both of us had been facing personal health challenges that Western medicine couldn’t fully address and if it could, was it going to be a long-term solution? How could we feel better from the inside out, avoid future illnesses, age gracefully, and not resort to Western medicines and harsh chemicals? We talked about old home remedies that our moms and grandmothers insisted were better and natural. At a younger age, we didn’t appreciate their wisdom and didn’t completely understand the real benefits of natural remedies. But, as we approached our mid-40s juggling full-time jobs, parenting, and the chaos of daily life, we saw firsthand how even small changes in daily nutrition could make a big difference. That day in the park sparked the creation of Humble Origins Superfoods, a brand rooted in our shared passion for health, nature, and sustainability.
We wanted to understand why accident home remedies, mainly consisting of Turmeric and other natural ingredients, are great for one’s immunity. After a few months of research and testing various ingredients, we realized that incorporating high-quality superfood ingredients into our everyday lives was the only way to improve our well-being while finding a balance and still enjoying the things we enjoy.
Our mission became simple: to offer delicious, single-sourced superfood ingredients that empower others to make those same transformative changes, no matter how hectic life may be. These ingredients are designed to fit all dietary needs, making wellness accessible to everyone.
The journey so far has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re truly grateful to be able to share the lessons we’ve learned through Humble Origins. At its core, our story is about two friends uniting to bring a shared vision to life—one that’s not only meaningful to us and our families but also aims to inspire others along the way.
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?
Building Humble Origins Superfoods has been anything but a smooth ride, but we wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Starting from scratch has been a powerful learning experience, filled with challenges that have shaped us both personally and professionally.
One of the biggest hurdles we’ve faced has been finding and trusting the right partners to help us source the highest-quality ingredients. It’s not just about quality—it’s about aligning with values that reflect our mission. Sourcing ingredients from small farms in India, for example, has meant navigating complex logistics across different time zones and cultures. It requires patience, adaptability, and constant communication to ensure the quality and authenticity of our products. Working with farmers and suppliers who have different cultural and business practices has also been a learning curve. Building trust and mutual understanding has been key, and through this process, we’ve formed stronger partnerships and gained a deeper respect for the incredible work they do. The farmers have a GREAT story that we wanted to ensure is reflected in the Humble Origins Story.
Another challenge has been learning how to launch and run a business from the ground up. Neither of us had this type of prior entrepreneurial experience, but we jumped into branding, e-commerce, wholesale, and marketing while continuing to juggle full-time careers, family, and motherhood. Educating ourselves on all aspects of owning a business continues to be top of mind. There were plenty of moments filled with doubt and feeling overwhelmed, but those are the moments that push us to grow, learn, and find creative solutions.
We’ve also devoted time and effort to researching eco-friendly packaging solutions, as we are committed to leaving a lighter footprint on the planet. It hasn’t always been easy, but every decision—from the ingredients we source to the packaging we use—has been a step toward creating a product that’s not just good for you, but good for our planet too.
The most challenging but also the most important, has been figuring out how to effectively educate consumers about the powerful benefits of our superfood ingredients. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming for consumers to understand what sets our products apart. While we think its simple, we’ve had to find creative ways to break down the science behind our ingredients in a way that’s not only informative but also engaging. It’s about more than just listing the benefits—it’s about helping people see how these superfoods can truly make a difference in their everyday lives. This has meant creating content that resonates with different audiences, whether through blog posts, social media, or direct conversations, while also being transparent about where our ingredients come from and how they’re sourced. Ultimately, our goal is to empower people with knowledge so they can make choices that align with their health and wellness goals.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Humble Origins Superfoods, we specialize in offering single-origin, sustainably sourced superfoods that are as rich in nutrients as they are in history and tradition. Our products, like Makhir Ginger, Lakadong Turmeric, Aromatic 3 Hills Cinnamon, and Wild Warm Long Pepper, are sourced directly from the hills of Meghalaya, India. We focus on bringing these rare, potent ingredients to our customers in their purest form, ensuring they’re not only delicious but also packed with health benefits.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to quality, transparency, and sustainability. Each of our products is single-sourced and traceable, allowing us to support small-scale farmers while maintaining the highest standards. We’re proud to celebrate and share the heritage of these ingredients, honoring the traditional farming practices of the communities that grow them.
What we’re most proud of is the impact our work has on both sides of the equation—empowering customers to improve their health with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients and supporting the farmers who cultivate these incredible superfoods. Knowing that we’re helping to bridge the gap between rural farmers and conscious consumers is incredibly fulfilling.
Our brand is about more than just selling products—it’s about living a better lifestyle. We want to inspire people to make small changes that help them feel better and stay connected to nature and traditions, regardless of their dietary choices.
What sets Humble Origins apart is our genuine story, the attention to detail and quality, as well as our passion for our brand which includes fostering a healthier, more sustainable future.
What makes you happy?
We both love spending time with our children and husbands traveling, exploring new cultures, cooking, working out and eating healthier while indulging in our favorite desserts. It truly is the simple things that bring us joy.
At Humble Origins, we love it when our customers understand our mission and truly enjoy using our ingredients. Several customers have sent us pictures of recipes they have made, further confirming that we are on the right path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://humbleoriginssf.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humble_origins_superfoods/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumbleOriginsSuperfoods/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humble-origins-superfoods/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Humbleoriginssuperfoods
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/HumbleOriginsSuperfoods/
