• When did Tea and Tonic begin? Please tell us of your journey. 

I started my career in PR and Marketing in 1997 when I passed out of Chelsea College of Art and Design in London, where I studied as an interior and textile designer. It was the first job I could get, so I grabbed it, and soon realized that I had a flair for PR and maybe this was the right path for me. I moved to Goa in 2001 as I felt that London life had somewhat stagnated for me. I soon got persuaded into consulting for friends who had restaurants and needed the help as they were too busy with operations and didn’t have the time to do their own promotions. Hence ‘Tea n Tonic’ was born. The name ‘Tea n Tonic’ came about as it represented the commonality between the two countries, as both Indians and Brits love their tea, and tonic was first produced here in India during the Raj – so what better way to portray who I am, a proud Indian brought up in London.

• You seem to be an all–women team. Any specific reasons for this?

We in India as women don’t always get the chance to build our career and here at Tea n Tonic we are all about women empowerment. Also, I come from a family of strong women such as my Nani (maternal grandmother) and my mother Sucheta Visvanathan, who always taught me to be financially and otherwise independent in everything that I did. We believe that all women should have the opportunity to be independent and as India emerges into the world economy why not show the world that our women are just as capable as the ones in the west!

• How is Tea and Tonic different from other such firms?

Having amassed huge knowledge across two continents since 1997 gives Tea n Tonic an edge over other companies epically as we specialize in PR and Marketing for F&B outlets. Having worked hands on and supplied seafood to lots of restaurants and hotels both in London and Goa, Tea n Tonic has an intricate insight into the working of any F&B outlets, especially. We are able to do PR from within, not just externally, and that is one of the first lessons one learns when stepping into this industry.

Tea n Tonic don’t just provide media relations but a plethora of other services ranging from social media, events, brand and advertising consultancy, music programming and promotions, and all platforms – a ‘one stop shop’ for all your needs.

• Who are your clients? 

We primarily work within the F&B or Lifestyle sector and have had a hand in launching 53 outlets in Goa alone. Currently we are working with some amazing restaurants and people such as Aakritee, Chef De Cuisine of A Reverie, Sarah Todd – Master Chef Australia 2014 – Antares, Sahana Kumar of Divo and Watermark (First floating bar) in Morjim, Tejpal Singh Gandhi – The Banyan, Arthur’s Theme, South I, Casino Strike, Marriott, but to name a few.

• Do you see a difference in how Goa pursues PR companies?

PR and Marketing is viewed as an integral part of a lot of businesses especially chef driven restaurants in the west whereas in Goa they are just realizing that not all work can be managed successfully by in-house teams. More often than not the proprietors of the business are too busy with daily operations to do enough justice to their PR or event and their Social Media Marketing. This is where we step in and bring fresh ideas and perspective to their business. More than that, we are an extension of their team and work hand in hand to reach the right audience.

• Do you think PR companies have a good future in Goa?

I truly believe that they do. Goa is one of the best tourist destinations in India and there is always an influx of people from all round the world, an amazing melting pot if you please. There is always something new, and more and more people are making it their home and opening businesses here. So there will always be a need for PR and Marketing companies such as Tea n Tonic.