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Last year, The Quality Edit launched its Quality Makers category, focusing on the ins and outs of the inspiring individuals behind the many brands we’ve covered. The talented founders have shared their background stories with our TQE community – from when they first planted their seeds to the tall branches their trees have now grown. They’ve been kind enough to provide inside looks into the DTC world and hand out valuable life lessons on how to build a business.
This year, we’re lucky enough to once again check in with some of our favorite founders, before the busy holiday season begins. The Quality Makers gift guide is back, this time featuring brothers Ani & Ayan’s carefully selected holiday picks! Keep reading for some original recommendations from your favorite founders on how to start off your holiday season right.
The family owned chai company Kolkata Chai Co. is a cafe in NYC and an online marketplace founded by brothers Ani and Ayan Sanyal. Born outside of Boston, these first-generation Americans grew up straddling two cultures. As the sons of two beautiful Bengali people who came to the U.S. in 1987 from India, their concept of home was forever-shifting. Thus, they created the coziest spot in NYC for traditional, housemade masala chai and cold brew variations. The company was founded to extend the authenticity, respect and tradition behind a cup of masala chai to NYC. And now you won’t find a better cup of chai anywhere else.
Enjoy Ani & Ayan’s special holiday picks below:
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AS: “As someone who’s always on the go, I always need to be hydrating. Plastic bottles are the most wasteful thing imaginable, so this Larq bottle has come in clutch for me. It purifies water and cleans itself through a UV light. Get yourself a self-cleaning water bottle.”
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AS: “You can’t have any street cred in the South Asian community unless you know your Alphonso mangoes. This sparkling water from Sanzo hits the spot every time. Enjoy!”
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AS: “One of the best things about working for yourself is that you get to wear what you want every day. ONS makes quality products with high attention to detail and durability. Comfort > everything.”
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AS: “Quick international trips are an essential to rebalancing and clearing your mind, so this weekender bag from Dagne Dover gets the job done brilliantly. Thoughtfully designed with ALL the pockets, because we all love a good extra pocket.”
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AS: “From those nights that you need to show out a little bit, Rastah makes incredibly detailed, unique South Asian garments that you won’t find anywhere else. Handmade in Pakistan and built by some incredibly passionate founders.”
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AS: “Our friends at Nguyen make an incredibly bold canned black coffee that you can’t go wrong with. With a focus on the robusta bean, this sustainably sourced Vietnamese coffee is our favorite non-chai choice :)”
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AS: “We love seeing other bold South Asian brands making their mark and this chili popcorn from Confusion Snacks is elite. You won’t go back to regular popcorn after this one, believe that!”
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Share these one of a kind picks with your family & friends by gifting them one of Ani and Ayan’s favorite recs. Chai has been repeatedly appropriated in the Western world, so these talented brothers have made it their mission to make sure their culture and traditions are represented accurately and honestly. With this mentality in mind, their recs are as original as ever.
Pass on the ‘get rich or chai tryin’ lifestyle onto your loved ones by showering them with recommendations from Ani & Ayan’s Quality Makers Gift Guide.
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