EP 313 - Listening & Learning with Shivani Dhamija

 

In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Shivani Dhamija, founder of Shivani’s Kitchen — a culinary brand rooted in authentic Indian flavors and fueled by a passion for empowering others through food. From her humble beginnings selling spice blends and sauces at local markets in Nova Scotia to building a thriving food-manufacturing business, Shivani’s journey is as flavorful as her recipes. 

At the heart of her success lies a simple napkin message: “Listening & learning.” 
Two small words that capture a massive truth about leadership, growth, and entrepreneurship. 

 

The Power of “Listening & Learning” 

When Shivani first began sharing her spice blends, she wasn’t just selling a product — she was listening to people’s stories. Every market conversation, every customer review, every “you should try this” became a lesson. She explains that listening isn’t passive; it’s an act of connection. And learning isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about staying humble enough to realize you never do. 

Shivani’s insight is deeply entrepreneurial. Leaders who stop listening lose touch with the people they serve. Entrepreneurs who stop learning lose the adaptability that keeps them alive. As she puts it, “Every interaction — whether it’s a happy customer or a tough critic — is an opportunity to grow stronger.” 

Her napkin reminds us that progress doesn’t come from constant talking or defending ideas. It comes from being open — to feedback, to failure, to the world changing faster than we expect. 

 

Listening as a Leadership Skill 

Shivani’s story highlights something that many leaders overlook: listening is strategic. She built her business by tuning into what customers really wanted — convenience without compromise. In a world flooded with fast food, she heard a quiet craving for authentic home-style cooking made simple. That insight led to her signature ready-to-use sauces and spice blends. 

In leadership, listening also means hearing the unspoken — what your team isn’t saying, what your market isn’t yet demanding, and what your own intuition is whispering. Shivani’s example shows that great leaders hear beyond words; they listen for intent, emotion, and opportunity. 

 

Learning as a Way of Being 

For Shivani, learning never stops. She admits that when she first started, she didn’t know the language of manufacturing, retail supply chains, or business finance. But she learned by doing — by seeking mentors, asking better questions, and experimenting without fear of failure. 

Her approach reframes what “failure” means. Every misstep became a feedback loop, not a full stop. As she says, “If you’re learning, you’re never losing.” 

That mindset — curiosity over perfection — is what allows an entrepreneur to evolve. It’s also what transforms a local business into a lasting brand. 

 

5 Key Takeaways from Shivani Dhamija’s Napkin 

1️⃣ Listen with Intent, Not Ego 

When you’re building something, people will tell you what they love and what they don’t. 
Take Action: Next time you receive feedback, don’t defend — document. Write down what you hear, reflect overnight, and find the truth in it. 

 

2️⃣ Be a Lifelong Learner 

Every entrepreneur starts as a student. The difference between success and stagnation is how fast you keep learning. 
Take Action: Commit to learning something new each week — a system, a trend, a story from your customers. Growth compounds when curiosity becomes habit. 

 

3️⃣ Turn Conversations into Strategy 

Shivani’s business evolved through real-world listening — she let her customers co-write her roadmap. 
Take Action: Identify three recurring themes you’ve heard from your market or team. Translate them into one actionable improvement this quarter. 

 

4️⃣ Stay Grounded in Gratitude 

Listening isn’t just about business — it’s about connection. Shivani talks about the joy of serving people and the gratitude that keeps her motivated through long hours. 
Take Action: Before every major decision, pause and ask: “Who does this serve?” Gratitude keeps strategy human. 

 

5️⃣ Teach What You Learn 

True learning becomes mastery when it’s shared. Shivani now mentors other entrepreneurs and collaborates with local producers to help them scale. 
Take Action: Host a 15-minute “teach-back” session with your team or peers each month. Share one lesson you’ve learned — and invite others to do the same. 

 

Bringing It All Together 

Listening & learning isn’t just a recipe for leadership — it’s a rhythm for life. Shivani Dhamija embodies what happens when you combine cultural authenticity with curiosity and humility. She’s proof that when we listen more deeply and learn more intentionally, our work — and our impact — expand exponentially. 

So grab a napkin, write down what you’re hearing and what you’re learning, and share your wisdom with the world using #PaperNapkinWisdom. Because every big idea starts small — sometimes just two words at a time. 

 

About Shivani Dhamija: 
Shivani Dhamija is the founder of Shivani’s Kitchen, a Nova Scotia-based company creating authentic Indian spice blends, sauces, and ready-to-cook meals that make real flavor accessible to everyone. Her products are now distributed across major retailers in Canada, and she continues to champion entrepreneurship, inclusion, and cultural connection through food. 

Website: https://shivaniskitchen.ca/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivaniskitchen 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shivanikitchen/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivani's-kitchen/?originalSubdomain=ca 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom/id735345903 
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom-podcastf1563