Back in NYC, Some Thoughts from the Road
Hi Karma Club,
I took a little break but I’m back in New York now after spending two weeks in Michigan over the July 4th holiday.
While I was home, I made it a point to visit as many stores as possible that carry Karma. Walking into the same Meijer Market stores or local spots like Zerbo’s—places I’ve shopped at for years - and seeing our products on the shelves is still surreal. That feeling hasn’t faded. I get the same excitement walking into Desi Galli, Taza Market, or Fontainhas in NYC.
There’s something powerful about seeing something you created sitting on a shelf, ready to be picked up by someone who doesn’t know you. It’s a quiet but real moment of validation.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the importance of small details. Not just in business, but in life. Whether you’re running a brand, working a 9-to-5, or retired, the little things add up.
Things like:
- Where your product sits on the shelf
- Taking time to say hello to store staff
- Making sure your email is easy to read
- Offering samples with care
- Saying thank you
During the July 4th weekend, my parents and I drove from Farmington Hills through Chelsea, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and back to metro Detroit. Some of the stops included:
- Prana Juices in Royal Oak
- Agricole Farm Stop in Chelsea
- Bridge Street Market (Meijer) in Grand Rapids
- Oryana Co-op in Traverse City
I recorded a few short videos at each location and shared some below. I’m especially proud of the smaller local shops that carry Karma. It’s meaningful to be a Michigan-made brand sitting alongside other products from home.
It was also helpful to spend time at our Michigan office and see the full scope of operations. Watching our team interact with store teams, set up at farmers markets, and manage logistics reminded me how much care goes into every step. There’s a rhythm that’s developed, and it’s something we can now build on and refine.
Nothing in business or life is perfect, but taking action creates momentum. And when you combine that with attention to detail, iteration becomes second nature.
For more, subscribe to my substack (https://thekarmaclub.substack.com/)
Rishabh