Hidden Gems: Meet Aanal Patel of Modern Desi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aanal Patel

Hi Aanal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started at my third bridal shower of the year in 2018. As I was taking part in the celebration, I realized something interesting—while South Asians had seamlessly embraced Western traditions like bridal showers and bachelorette parties, there was a gap. There weren’t any products or games that reflected the unique vibe of a South Asian wedding. I decided to open an Etsy shop, offering bridal shower games and bachelorette items with a Desi twist. The response was overwhelming, and it quickly inspired me to expand my offerings. I added everything from athletic apparel and luggage tags to coffee mugs and saree ornaments—each item infused with a modern, South Asian flair.

As my brand grew, I noticed more brands entering the space with South Asian-inspired products, I found myself wishing there was a one-stop platform where I could shop them all. That desire led to a major shift in my journey. In 2021, I relaunched my business as a marketplace platform dedicated to showcasing South Asian small businesses and their Desi-inspired products. It became a space where South Asians in the diaspora could feel truly represented.

Today, we proudly feature over 100 brands and 2,500+ products, offering a curated, immersive shopping experience for Desi’s around the world. But we didn’t stop at just creating an online platform. We’ve also launched community-driven events, like henna application workshops, Bollywood trivia nights, and South Asian cocktail mixology classes, to help bring people together and celebrate the richness of their mixed cultural identities.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has certainly not been smooth. When you’re pioneering a concept with products that don’t even exist yet, it’s impossible to predict what will resonate with customers. There’s no roadmap for creating a marketplace platform, so figuring out the internal workings and operational aspects has definitely been a learning curve. As a small business owner, you wear many hats, and balancing all the responsibilities has been one of my biggest challenges. Time management, in particular, has been tricky—especially because, as a creative, I’m constantly driven by my passion to focus on the craft. But as a business owner, I also have to juggle marketing, content creation, packaging, shipping, customer service, and finances.

By far, the most significant struggle has been with the backend of the marketplace platform. Ensuring it’s intuitive and seamless for both customers and vendors has required constant attention and refinement. It’s an ongoing process, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?

Modern Desi is a unique marketplace platform that brings together South Asian creatives and their Desi-inspired products. We create a space for small businesses to showcase their products, offering a culturally representative shopping experience for our community. Our collection features handmade items or products produced in small batches, ensuring quality and authenticity. As the founder and creative director, I oversee everything—from the day-to-day operations of the marketplace to our marketing strategies and growth initiatives. In addition to our marketplace, we host events that offer an opportunity to connect with others, celebrate South Asian culture, and learn something new—whether it’s through henna workshops, Bollywood trivia nights, or South Asian cocktail mixology classes, we have something for every personality.

What sets you apart from others?

What truly sets us apart is that there is no other platform like ours. We are the first to bring together small businesses from the South Asian diaspora to sell their products collectively in one place. We carefully curate the brands we partner with, selecting those that not only offer high-quality products but also share a compelling brand story and a vision for growth. This focus on authenticity and passion is what makes us unique.

What are you most proud brand wise?

I’m incredibly proud to see so many creatives turn their visions of representation into reality. It’s one thing to have an idea, but it’s another to find the drive and passion to bring it to life. Meeting so many talented individuals who are doing just that and being able to represent their work has been a truly heartwarming experience for me.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?

At Modern Desi, all of our products are either handmade or produced in small batches, ensuring each item is authentic and thoughtfully crafted. Our offerings are designed for a community of individuals who feel a unique connection to both their homeland and the country where they grew up. In addition to our marketplace, we host events that offer an opportunity to connect with others, celebrate South Asian culture, and learn something new – Wether it’s through henna workshops, South Asian cocktail mixology classes, or Bollywood trivia nights!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moderndesi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern_desi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@modern_desi/shorts
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@modern_desi