In a quiet corner of Oregon, a mom and former engineer is transforming how America thinks about dinner parties, lunches, picnics and dinnerware sustainability—and success. Her company, Dtocs (pronounced “detox”), is redefining the single-use tableware industry by making luxury compostable products from something we typically walk over: fallen palm leaves. Check out the podcast here and subscribe.
This is not just a business story. It’s a blueprint for purpose-driven entrepreneurship, cultural fusion, and how to lead with both heart and hustle.
Small business expert, Ramon Ray interviewed Dtocs founder Pallavi Pande to explore her entrepreneurial journey, her cultural roots, her Amazon strategy, and how she balances business with motherhood—by blending, not balancing. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss out.
Key Takeaways
- Dtocs makes tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves. Compostable in 90 days, their products are beautiful, practical, and sustainable.
- E-commerce is at the core. Most sales come from Amazon and other digital platforms, with a small, nimble team.
- COVID created a zero-revenue crisis. But Pallavi used the downtime to refine her customer targeting and brand positioning.
- She built smart, not fast. Data, not ego, drove her growth.
- Blending work and family is her secret weapon. From turning kids into brand ambassadors to involving them in strategy, Pallavi proves entrepreneurship can be holistic.
From Banana Leaves to Branding Gold
Pallavi Pande’s heritage is from India, where meals were often served on banana leaves—a biodegradable tradition deeply rooted in her culture. After moving to the U.S., she found herself nostalgic not only for the taste of home, but for the sustainable practices that came with it.
So, in 2019, she created Dtocs, a company that manufactures elegant tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves. “My name means ‘leaf,’” Pallavi noted. “This company is deeply personal to me.”
Unlike plastic or even paper plates, Dtocs products are durable, stylish, and fully compostable in 90 days. They’ve been used at weddings, vineyards, charcuterie tastings, upscale picnics, and even in backyards where—as one customer shared—rabbits nibbled them post-barbecue.
“This is about more than convenience,” Pallavi says. “It’s about living in harmony with nature without compromising elegance or efficiency.”
Building a Brand from the Ground Up—Literally
Dtocs sold out its first shipment within two months. Pallavi rode the momentum into America’s largest natural products expo—Natural Products Expo West—where she earned a coveted NEXTY Award for “Most Sustainable Product.”
Then the pandemic hit. Supply chains froze. Inventory was stuck in transit. Dtocs was making $0 in revenue.
But Pallavi didn’t flinch. Instead, she did what engineers and great founders do best: problem-solve.
She dove deep into her own sales data and joined accelerator programs, including her local Small Business Development Center. There, she discovered a vital truth—80% of her sales were coming from Amazon.
So she focused. Dtocs went all-in on e-commerce.
“I didn’t have capital, but I had time,” she said. “And I used it to understand who our customer was, where they were buying, and how to better serve them.”
She didn’t invest in a flashy website or hire a big team. She built smart, stayed lean, and followed the data. “Start basic,” Pallavi advised. “Then scale with proof, not guesswork.”
Lean Team, Nimble Execution
Today, Dtocs continues to grow as an ecommerce-first brand. Its success is powered through Amazon, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace, and boutique wholesale platforms like Faire.
Pallavi’s core team consists of just three people, plus a network of freelancers and fulfillment partners. She leverages 3PL (third-party logistics), Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), and warehousing partners to keep overhead low and shipping fast.
“We’re not trying to do everything ourselves. That’s how businesses break,” she said. “I stay in my zone of genius—marketing and storytelling—and delegate the rest.”
The brand’s values are clear:
- 100% compostable, chemical-free products
- Sourced from naturally fallen palm leaves, not cut trees
- Ethically manufactured
- Certified People & Planet First brand
And those values have brought accolades, including recognition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses.
Blending Family and Business Without Guilt
Pallavi is a mother of two and lives in a multigenerational household. She’s not shy about the juggle—but she doesn’t aim for “balance.”
“I don’t believe in balance,” she said. “I believe in blending.”
She brings her family on business trips when possible. Her kids have helped pack orders and appear in marketing campaigns. “They’re my brand ambassadors,” she laughed.
If she misses a school event or family dinner, she communicates clearly. “I let them know why. And I also show up where I can,” she said.
Her approach has created not only understanding—but admiration. “My children see what I’m building. They’re part of it. That’s the legacy.”
From Product to Platform: Advice for Founders
Pallavi didn’t just build a brand—she’s built a platform. She uses Dtocs to educate consumers about environmental responsibility, female entrepreneurship, and immigrant resilience.
Here are some key pieces of advice she shared for fellow founders:
1. Don’t Wait for Perfect
“Perfection delays progress. Start with what you have, and evolve from there.”
2. Let Purpose Be the Engine
“When your business is mission-driven, it fuels you through setbacks.”
3. Use Data to Guide, Not Just Gut
“You may love your website, but if customers are on Amazon, meet them there.”
4. Build a Brand, Not Just a Product
“People don’t just buy plates. They buy stories. Values. Connection.”
5. Get Help Early
“Join accelerators, get mentors, hire interns. You don’t need to do this alone.”
About Dtocs
Dtocs creates premium, compostable tableware made from naturally fallen palm leaves. Founded by Pallavi Pande in 2019, the company is a certified People & Planet First brand and has received national recognition for its sustainability and innovation.
Website: https://dtocs.com – Use DTOCS20 coupon code for 20% off and free shipping on our website orders- https://www.dtocs.com.
Amazon Store: Amazon.com/dtocs
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
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