By: Mitch Campbell

Ishaan Suri is not your average teenager. At just 17 years old, he is already juggling academics at Loughborough Grammar School with the responsibilities of running his start-up, while many of his peers are primarily focused on preparing for their A-levels.

Based in a small town in the U.K., Ishaan Suri has already made a name for himself as an entrepreneur. He has turned his passion for healthy eating into a thriving business: Macho Bites, which offers various irresistible flavours of roasted lotus seeds (makhana).

His entrepreneurial journey began long before Macho Bites was created. Born in India, he moved to the U.K. with his parents in 2021, a significant change that didn’t deter his ambitions. 

His entrepreneurial spirit manifested in a sneaker reselling business he started as a young teen. He successfully turned this sneaker business into a profitable venture, a rare feat for someone his age. This early success gave him the confidence and capital to embark on his next big project.

The Birth of Macho Bites  

Ishaan Suri came up with the idea for Macho Bites out of necessity. As a health enthusiast, he often searched for nutritious yet tasty snacks in the U.K., only to be disappointed by the limited options. 

“I was always on the lookout for snacks that aligned with my health goals, and I decided to take matters into my own hands and do it for everyone while I was at it,” he states. This gap in the market sparked the idea of a brand that could offer healthy, flavourful snacks that did not compromise on taste.

Drawing inspiration from his roots, Ishaan Suri introduced the U.K. market to popped lotus seeds, a popular snack known for its health benefits in India. High in protein, low in calories, and rich in antioxidants, lotus seeds were the perfect answer to Ishaan’s quest for a healthy snack. 

But he didn’t just want to sell the seeds as they were. He wanted to create something that would appeal to a broader audience, including those who might not be familiar with this traditional Indian snack.

Thus, Macho Bites was born, offering roasted lotus seeds in three flavours: Cheese and Onion, Peri-Peri, and Barbecue. Each flavour is carefully crafted to cater to the diverse palates of the U.K. market. The flavours are crafted while retaining the health benefits that make lotus seeds a superfood. 

Notably, the seeds are roasted, not fried, and prepared using olive oil—the healthiest oil available—making them a guilt-free indulgence.

Overcoming Challenges 

Launching a start-up at any age is no small feat, but doing so at 17 comes with unique challenges. For Ishaan Suri, the journey was anything but smooth. 

“The logistics and legalities were the most difficult part,” he says. As someone new to the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, Ishaan Suri had to deal with complex regulations surrounding food imports, packaging, and sales in the U.K. 

He spent countless hours researching, seeking advice, and overcoming the steep learning curve of venturing into a new industry.

To gain insights and build connections, Ishaan Suri attended business dinners and networking events, often lying about his age to gain entry. “I was always the youngest person in the room, but I knew that these events were crucial for my growth as an entrepreneur,” he shares. 

His first-ever business breakfast was a pivotal moment. Attending a session with Jane Hunt, former MP for Loughborough, provided him with invaluable insights into the business world. 

“That one session was enough to hook me onto the benefits of networking,” he says. From then on, Ishaan Suri became a regular at such events, absorbing knowledge and forging relationships that would help propel his products forward.

A Voice for Young Entrepreneurs

As a minor in the business world, Ishaan Suri quickly became aware of the systemic challenges young entrepreneurs face. One glaring issue he encountered was the disparity between the legal age for starting and opening a business bank account. “You can start a company at 16 but only open its bank account at 18. That did not make sense to me,” he explains. 

Frustrated by these obstacles, he decided to act. In response, Ishaan Suri founded the British Youth Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and needs of young entrepreneurs in the U.K. Through this platform, he has started lobbying to amend outdated laws hindering young business owners’ progress. 

“I want to pave the way for other young entrepreneurs held back by such challenges,” he says with conviction. His efforts have already attracted attention, and he hopes to see tangible legislative changes soon.

Making an Impact

Since its launch, Macho Bites has quickly gained traction among health-conscious consumers in the U.K. Ishaan Suri’s commitment to quality and flavour started to carve out a niche in the competitive healthy snacks market. But for him, the brand is more than just a business—it’s a platform to positively impact the fitness community.

Ishaan Suri has big plans for his brand in the future. He is currently working on expanding the product line to include new flavors, such as Caramel and Dark Chocolate, which he believes will appeal to an even broader audience.

The Future of Macho Bites

Balancing schoolwork with running a business is no easy task, but Ishaan Suri manages it with a maturity beyond his years. He credits his time management skills and passion for what he does as crucial factors in his ability to juggle both responsibilities. 

“There are days when it’s tough, but everyone has to juggle these things; there’s never a perfect time to start, so you must incorporate these things with your lifestyle,” he says.

As Ishaan Suri prepares for his A-levels, he plans the next steps for Macho Bites. His immediate goal is to increase brand visibility and expand distribution across the U.K. In the long term, he envisions taking the brand global, introducing the world to the health benefits and delicious taste of lotus seeds.

While many young people struggle to find footing, Ishaan Suri stands out as an inspiration. His transformation from a sneaker reseller to the founder of a promising FMCG brand is a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to success and that anything is possible with determination and a clear vision.

Published by: Martin De Juan