Real Return Story

9 Years in Australia to Booming Indian Startup: Skippi Ice Pops Founder's Journey

Ravi Kabra's journey from Hyderabad family business to Sydney corporate life to founding one of India's most recognized ice popsicle brands—and how his father's illness became the catalyst for entrepreneurial success.

Published: November 30, 2023 • 14 min read

Real Return Story Australia to India Entrepreneur Shark Tank India Hyderabad

Key Insights from This Story

10 years in father's FMCG business in India
7 years in Australia (2014-2020) in corporate job
5 weeks to pack and return when father diagnosed with cancer
Skippi Ice Pops founded after return
Shark Tank India feature in December 2021
India's ecosystem transformed—GST, infrastructure, opportunities

Ravi's Background

Ravi Kabra was born and brought up in Hyderabad, India. His journey spans three distinct phases.

Career Timeline

Period	Location	Role
10 years	Hyderabad, India	Father's FMCG food & beverage business
2014-2020 (7 years)	Sydney, Australia	Corporate job in FNB industry
2020-Present	Hyderabad, India	Founder, Skippi Ice Pops

Why Australia?

Wanted a change in life after 10 years in family business
Seeking better lifestyle and learning curve
Explored Dubai and Australia—settled on Australia
Wanted to understand how bigger companies build brands
Family business had limitations on learning capacity

"There is a restriction in terms of your learning capacity when you're doing a family business. You cannot go beyond a certain point in terms of knowledge gain."

Life in Australia

Ravi's 7 years in Australia were transformative—both personally and professionally.

What He Loved About Australia

Work-life balance: 9-5, Monday to Friday—no employer pressures you
Family first: Family, safety, and life always come before work
Basic amenities: No daily challenges like in India
Time with family: Watched kids grow (son was 1 when they arrived, 8 when they left)
Less stress: No pressure of being an entrepreneur

"I could really spend a great amount of time with my family, see my kids grow—which probably in India, especially coming from a business family, it's very hard to find."

The Dream House

Just over a year before returning, Ravi and his wife built their dream house in Sydney:

First house built by them (not inherited)
Every furniture and fixture chosen together
Wife made all interior decisions
Great dreams and ambitions for the home

Career Philosophy

Ravi developed a clear philosophy about work:

"Work for a good organization which gives you less stress rather than getting into a business which is very stressful. But if you're excited about something, do a small business of yourself which keeps the ball rolling, which you enjoy thoroughly."

The Painful Return

The return to India was unplanned and emotionally devastating.

⚠️ The Trigger

Ravi's father was diagnosed with cancer.

Initial plan was to bring parents to Australia—they were even looking at business opportunities for his father there.

But after the diagnosis:

"I did not want him to move to Australia and then struggle with Australian lifestyle. There's no help support as such in terms of the health industry."

The 5-Week Exit

The decision was made one morning. Within 5 weeks:

Sold all furniture
Took pictures of the house
Packed everything
By February 2020, they were back in India

The Emotional Toll

Selling the first piece of furniture—a cupboard from the dining area:

"I and Anuja literally had tears in our eyes because we were so emotionally attached to that dream that we were building."

They had to sacrifice it for a bigger cause.

Note: They didn't sell the house—it's still there as an option if they ever want to return.

The Timeline

February 2020: Returned to India
March 2020: COVID struck—one-year break
Mid-2021: Father passed away after fighting cancer for over a year

Despite the painful outcome, Ravi was grateful they could be with his father during his final year.

Kids' Adjustment

Ravi's children adapted surprisingly well to India.

The Kids' Ages

Son: About 1 year old when they went to Australia, ~8 when they returned
Daughter: About 6 years old when they went, ~13-14 when they returned

Why They Adjusted Well

Not too late for them to adapt—right age window
Flexible and hands-on at that age
Ravi is a "pure desi"—mixed with culture quickly
Only 7 years abroad (not 3-4 decades)

Key insight: "If my kids had found it difficult, it might have been very difficult for us to continue in India. But thankfully that was not the case."

School Selection

Finding the right school was priority #1:

Australian education system is very different
State syllabus or CBSE wouldn't work
Chose international syllabus
Otherwise kids would struggle and stress would fall on parents

Entrepreneur Journey

Ravi was clear: he would never work for another employer in India.

The Mindset

"I would never work for another employer in India because I believe that I understand the Indian culture and the Indian ecosystem as much that I can better work for myself rather than work for somebody else."

All the knowledge gained in 7 years working with FNB giants in Australia—it was time to put those skills to test.

The Skippi Ice Pops Idea

Ravi noticed ice popsicles were popular in Australia, US, and UK—but found nothing in India.

The research method:

Called 7-8 friends across different parts of India
Asked them to check stores for ice popsicle brands
Had to follow up multiple times (friends were lazy!)
Result: No brands found anywhere

The logic: India has 140 crore population, hot and humid climate—this should work!

Shark Tank India Success

Launched Skippi Ice Pops
Featured on Shark Tank India on Sony TV
Telecast: December 2021
Both Ravi and wife Anuja are co-founders
Brand became very popular after the telecast
People started recognizing them in the ecosystem

"By God's grace, today Skippi is a very popular brand. We are pretty humbled by the gesture God has given to us."

How India Has Transformed

Ravi has done business in India before (10 years) and now—the difference is massive.

Before (Pre-2014)

Taxation nightmare: C form, H form, sales tax, VAT—confusing and lethargic
Red carpet issues: Lots of compliance challenges
Poor roadways: Shipping from point A to B was challenging
Less technology
Difficult to expand or focus on business growth

Now (Post-2020)

GST: "Plain Manila"—simple and straightforward
Infrastructure: Great roadways developed
Technology: Many more IT job opportunities
Work culture: Adapting to international standards
Work-life balance: Maybe not equal, but approaching equality

"Today it's a great opportunity for people to look at entrepreneurial journey in India because believe me, the next 5 to 10 years is all about India and no other country."

Why India is the Place to Be

140 crore population—larger than entire European nations
No need to look for markets outside India
Every corner has a challenge = business opportunity
People who start now will be more successful than those who come 5-10 years later
Developed countries look "perfect"—hard to find opportunities there

Market Research Tips

Ravi shares practical advice for NRIs considering entrepreneurship in India.

Use Your Network

Call 7-8 friends across different parts of India. Ask them to check stores, talk to vendors. It's free research—just requires follow-up!

Hire Industry Consultants

There are many industry experts who can give you market overview. They're not very expensive. Get their perspective before committing.

Visit During Holidays

When traveling to India, meet vendors and manufacturers. Gauge the requirement and demand in the market firsthand.

Company Setup is Easy

India has evolved ecosystem of good Company Secretaries and Chartered Accountants. They do all groundwork and paperwork—you just sign and your company is running.

The Gut Feeling Factor

Ravi admits there's risk involved:

"It was completely on my gut feeling. I thought India is 140 crore population, such a hot and humid destination—I'm sure this thing will work. But of course there are risks attached to it."

What Ravi Misses and Dislikes

What He Misses About Australia

Stress-free life: Physical stress (cleaning, groceries) vs mental stress in India
Clean air: Australia is less populated, fresh air was enjoyable
Monday to Friday: Two days off every week was treasured

Physical vs Mental Stress

Ravi makes an important distinction:

"In other countries, stress is at a physical level—cleaning utensils, cleaning house, washing cars, getting groceries. But the mental stress in India... I personally believe a lot of unfortunate diseases or health issues arise because of mental stress. It's better to have physical stress rather than mental stress."

What He Doesn't Like About India

Pollution
Traffic: "I hate driving in India—no pleasure driving bumper to bumper"
"Chalta hai" attitude: People take things for granted, don't keep commitments

Current Work Reality

As an entrepreneur in India:

Working 7 days a week without break
Adding to stress levels
Very different from the 9-5 Australia life

Advice for NRIs

The Lifestyle Opportunity

If you have basic revenue (employee or employer), India provides a healthy, happy lifestyle:

Gated communities with swimming pools, badminton, great amenities
Cost of living still competitive vs other countries
Swiggy, Zomato: Food and groceries in 5 minutes
No wasting time at grocery stores
Can be employer or employee—both work

Investment Perspective

India is great for investment too:

India is growing rapidly
Better place to grow your money
Invest in apartment, live for a few years
If you don't like it, you can go back
Keep your passports ready—India allows people to leave freely

"Don't think too much. In case if you want to take your chances—yes, life is all about taking chances. Feel free, come down to India, give it a shot. Otherwise, 3-4 years down the line if things don't work out, feel free to go back. Why worry so much about it?"

The "Test Before Commit" Approach

Ravi suggests:

Visit India for longer during holidays
Try to live as a resident, not visitor
Take furnished apartments
Get a feel for the lifestyle
Then make your decision

Key Takeaways

Ravi's Journey Summary

10 years family business taught him FMCG fundamentals
7 years Australia taught him how big brands are built
Father's illness brought him back—painful but purposeful
5 weeks to pack entire life and return
Skippi Ice Pops born from market gap observation
Shark Tank India gave national recognition
India transformed: GST, infrastructure, opportunities
Next 5-10 years is all about India

Thinking About Starting a Business in India?

Connect with other NRI entrepreneurs who have made the transition. Share experiences and learn from each other.

Join the Desi Return Community →

Ready to Explore Entrepreneurship in India?

Get guidance on market research, business setup, and making the transition from abroad.

Book a Planning Call →

Join the Community →

Have questions about starting a business in India? Drop them in the comments!

Do basic market research—call friends across India to check the market, hire industry consultants (not expensive), visit India during holidays to meet vendors and gauge demand. Company registration is easy with good CAs and company secretaries. India has 140 crore population—no need to look for markets outside. Ravi says: 'This is the best time to start a business in India.' The ecosystem has evolved with good Company Secretaries and Chartered Accountants who do all groundwork and paperwork—you just sign and your company is running.

Ravi notes massive improvements: GST simplified taxation—he calls it 'Plain Manila' (simple and straightforward). Previously there was C form, H form, sales tax, VAT—very confusing and lethargic. Now with GST, it's much easier to focus on business growth rather than compliance challenges. Better roadways infrastructure and more technology opportunities have also transformed the business environment.

Ravi says: 'Today it's a great opportunity for people to look at entrepreneurial journey in India because believe me, the next 5 to 10 years is all about India and no other country.' India has 140 crore population—larger than entire European nations. Every corner has a challenge which equals a business opportunity. People who start now will be more successful than those who come 5-10 years later. Developed countries look 'perfect'—hard to find opportunities there.

Ravi's research method: Called 7-8 friends across different parts of India, asked them to check stores for ice popsicle brands, had to follow up multiple times (friends were lazy!). Result: No brands found anywhere. He also recommends hiring industry consultants who can give you market overview—they're not very expensive. When traveling to India, meet vendors and manufacturers to gauge the requirement and demand in the market firsthand.

In Australia, Ravi loved the work-life balance: 9-5, Monday to Friday—no employer pressures you. Family, safety, and life always come before work. He could really spend time with family and see kids grow. As an entrepreneur in India, he's now working 7 days a week without break. He notes: 'In other countries, stress is at a physical level—cleaning, groceries. But the mental stress in India... I personally believe a lot of unfortunate diseases arise because of mental stress.'

Ravi's family made the decision one morning and within 5 weeks: sold all furniture, took pictures of the house, packed everything. By February 2020, they were back in India. They had just built their dream house in Sydney about a year before—every furniture piece was chosen by Ravi and his wife. Selling the first piece of furniture, Ravi and his wife 'literally had tears in our eyes because we were so emotionally attached to that dream.' They kept the house as an option if they ever want to return.

Ravi's children adapted surprisingly well. His son was about 1 year old when they went to Australia and ~8 when they returned. His daughter was about 6 when they went and ~13-14 when they returned. Key factors: Not too late for them to adapt—right age window, flexible and hands-on at that age. They chose international syllabus school because Australian education system is very different from state syllabus or CBSE.

real stories

9 Years in Australia to Booming Indian Startup: Skippi Ice Pops Founder's Journey

Ravi Kabra spent 10 years in his father's FMCG business, then 7 years in Australia enjoying work-life balance. His father's cancer diagnosis brought him back in just 5 weeks. He founded Skippi Ice Pops, which was featured on Shark Tank India in December 2021.

AAvinash Peddi

November 30, 2023Nov 30, 202314 min

Real Return Story

9 Years in Australia to Booming Indian Startup: Skippi Ice Pops Founder's Journey

Published: November 30, 2023 • 14 min read

Real Return Story Australia to India Entrepreneur Shark Tank India Hyderabad

Key Insights from This Story

10 years in father's FMCG business in India
7 years in Australia (2014-2020) in corporate job
5 weeks to pack and return when father diagnosed with cancer
Skippi Ice Pops founded after return
Shark Tank India feature in December 2021
India's ecosystem transformed—GST, infrastructure, opportunities

Ravi's Background

Ravi Kabra was born and brought up in Hyderabad, India. His journey spans three distinct phases.

Career Timeline

Period	Location	Role
10 years	Hyderabad, India	Father's FMCG food & beverage business
2014-2020 (7 years)	Sydney, Australia	Corporate job in FNB industry
2020-Present	Hyderabad, India	Founder, Skippi Ice Pops

Why Australia?

Wanted a change in life after 10 years in family business
Seeking better lifestyle and learning curve
Explored Dubai and Australia—settled on Australia
Wanted to understand how bigger companies build brands
Family business had limitations on learning capacity

"There is a restriction in terms of your learning capacity when you're doing a family business. You cannot go beyond a certain point in terms of knowledge gain."

Life in Australia

Ravi's 7 years in Australia were transformative—both personally and professionally.

What He Loved About Australia

Work-life balance: 9-5, Monday to Friday—no employer pressures you
Family first: Family, safety, and life always come before work
Basic amenities: No daily challenges like in India
Time with family: Watched kids grow (son was 1 when they arrived, 8 when they left)
Less stress: No pressure of being an entrepreneur

"I could really spend a great amount of time with my family, see my kids grow—which probably in India, especially coming from a business family, it's very hard to find."

The Dream House

Just over a year before returning, Ravi and his wife built their dream house in Sydney:

First house built by them (not inherited)
Every furniture and fixture chosen together
Wife made all interior decisions
Great dreams and ambitions for the home

Career Philosophy

Ravi developed a clear philosophy about work:

The Painful Return

The return to India was unplanned and emotionally devastating.

⚠️ The Trigger

Ravi's father was diagnosed with cancer.

Initial plan was to bring parents to Australia—they were even looking at business opportunities for his father there.

But after the diagnosis:

"I did not want him to move to Australia and then struggle with Australian lifestyle. There's no help support as such in terms of the health industry."

The 5-Week Exit

The decision was made one morning. Within 5 weeks:

Sold all furniture
Took pictures of the house
Packed everything
By February 2020, they were back in India

The Emotional Toll

Selling the first piece of furniture—a cupboard from the dining area:

"I and Anuja literally had tears in our eyes because we were so emotionally attached to that dream that we were building."

They had to sacrifice it for a bigger cause.

Note: They didn't sell the house—it's still there as an option if they ever want to return.

The Timeline

February 2020: Returned to India
March 2020: COVID struck—one-year break
Mid-2021: Father passed away after fighting cancer for over a year

Despite the painful outcome, Ravi was grateful they could be with his father during his final year.

Kids' Adjustment

Ravi's children adapted surprisingly well to India.

The Kids' Ages

Son: About 1 year old when they went to Australia, ~8 when they returned
Daughter: About 6 years old when they went, ~13-14 when they returned

Why They Adjusted Well

Not too late for them to adapt—right age window
Flexible and hands-on at that age
Ravi is a "pure desi"—mixed with culture quickly
Only 7 years abroad (not 3-4 decades)

Key insight: "If my kids had found it difficult, it might have been very difficult for us to continue in India. But thankfully that was not the case."

School Selection

Finding the right school was priority #1:

Australian education system is very different
State syllabus or CBSE wouldn't work
Chose international syllabus
Otherwise kids would struggle and stress would fall on parents

Entrepreneur Journey

Ravi was clear: he would never work for another employer in India.

The Mindset

All the knowledge gained in 7 years working with FNB giants in Australia—it was time to put those skills to test.

The Skippi Ice Pops Idea

Ravi noticed ice popsicles were popular in Australia, US, and UK—but found nothing in India.

The research method:

Called 7-8 friends across different parts of India
Asked them to check stores for ice popsicle brands
Had to follow up multiple times (friends were lazy!)
Result: No brands found anywhere

The logic: India has 140 crore population, hot and humid climate—this should work!

Shark Tank India Success

Launched Skippi Ice Pops
Featured on Shark Tank India on Sony TV
Telecast: December 2021
Both Ravi and wife Anuja are co-founders
Brand became very popular after the telecast
People started recognizing them in the ecosystem

"By God's grace, today Skippi is a very popular brand. We are pretty humbled by the gesture God has given to us."

How India Has Transformed

Ravi has done business in India before (10 years) and now—the difference is massive.

Before (Pre-2014)

Taxation nightmare: C form, H form, sales tax, VAT—confusing and lethargic
Red carpet issues: Lots of compliance challenges
Poor roadways: Shipping from point A to B was challenging
Less technology
Difficult to expand or focus on business growth

Now (Post-2020)

GST: "Plain Manila"—simple and straightforward
Infrastructure: Great roadways developed
Technology: Many more IT job opportunities
Work culture: Adapting to international standards
Work-life balance: Maybe not equal, but approaching equality

"Today it's a great opportunity for people to look at entrepreneurial journey in India because believe me, the next 5 to 10 years is all about India and no other country."

Why India is the Place to Be

140 crore population—larger than entire European nations
No need to look for markets outside India
Every corner has a challenge = business opportunity
People who start now will be more successful than those who come 5-10 years later
Developed countries look "perfect"—hard to find opportunities there

Market Research Tips

Ravi shares practical advice for NRIs considering entrepreneurship in India.

Use Your Network

Call 7-8 friends across different parts of India. Ask them to check stores, talk to vendors. It's free research—just requires follow-up!

Hire Industry Consultants

There are many industry experts who can give you market overview. They're not very expensive. Get their perspective before committing.

Visit During Holidays

When traveling to India, meet vendors and manufacturers. Gauge the requirement and demand in the market firsthand.

Company Setup is Easy

India has evolved ecosystem of good Company Secretaries and Chartered Accountants. They do all groundwork and paperwork—you just sign and your company is running.

The Gut Feeling Factor

Ravi admits there's risk involved:

"It was completely on my gut feeling. I thought India is 140 crore population, such a hot and humid destination—I'm sure this thing will work. But of course there are risks attached to it."

What Ravi Misses and Dislikes

What He Misses About Australia

Stress-free life: Physical stress (cleaning, groceries) vs mental stress in India
Clean air: Australia is less populated, fresh air was enjoyable
Monday to Friday: Two days off every week was treasured

Physical vs Mental Stress

Ravi makes an important distinction:

What He Doesn't Like About India

Pollution
Traffic: "I hate driving in India—no pleasure driving bumper to bumper"
"Chalta hai" attitude: People take things for granted, don't keep commitments

Current Work Reality

As an entrepreneur in India:

Working 7 days a week without break
Adding to stress levels
Very different from the 9-5 Australia life

Advice for NRIs

The Lifestyle Opportunity

If you have basic revenue (employee or employer), India provides a healthy, happy lifestyle:

Gated communities with swimming pools, badminton, great amenities
Cost of living still competitive vs other countries
Swiggy, Zomato: Food and groceries in 5 minutes
No wasting time at grocery stores
Can be employer or employee—both work

Investment Perspective

India is great for investment too:

India is growing rapidly
Better place to grow your money
Invest in apartment, live for a few years
If you don't like it, you can go back
Keep your passports ready—India allows people to leave freely

The "Test Before Commit" Approach

Ravi suggests:

Visit India for longer during holidays
Try to live as a resident, not visitor
Take furnished apartments
Get a feel for the lifestyle
Then make your decision

Key Takeaways

Ravi's Journey Summary

10 years family business taught him FMCG fundamentals
7 years Australia taught him how big brands are built
Father's illness brought him back—painful but purposeful
5 weeks to pack entire life and return
Skippi Ice Pops born from market gap observation
Shark Tank India gave national recognition
India transformed: GST, infrastructure, opportunities
Next 5-10 years is all about India

Thinking About Starting a Business in India?

Connect with other NRI entrepreneurs who have made the transition. Share experiences and learn from each other.

Join the Desi Return Community →

Ready to Explore Entrepreneurship in India?

Get guidance on market research, business setup, and making the transition from abroad.

9 Years in Australia to Booming Indian Startup: Skippi Ice Pops Founder's Journey

Key Insights from This Story

Ravi's Background

Career Timeline

Why Australia?

Life in Australia

What He Loved About Australia

The Dream House

Career Philosophy

The Painful Return

⚠️ The Trigger

The 5-Week Exit

The Emotional Toll

The Timeline

Kids' Adjustment

The Kids' Ages

Why They Adjusted Well

School Selection

Entrepreneur Journey

The Mindset

The Skippi Ice Pops Idea

Shark Tank India Success

How India Has Transformed

Before (Pre-2014)

Now (Post-2020)

Why India is the Place to Be

Market Research Tips

Use Your Network

Hire Industry Consultants

Visit During Holidays

Company Setup is Easy

The Gut Feeling Factor

Social Life Comparison

Australia: Initial Loneliness

India: Quick Adjustment

The Emotional Connection Difference

What Ravi Misses and Dislikes

What He Misses About Australia

Physical vs Mental Stress

What He Doesn't Like About India

Current Work Reality

Advice for NRIs

The Lifestyle Opportunity

Investment Perspective

The "Test Before Commit" Approach

Key Takeaways

Ravi's Journey Summary

Thinking About Starting a Business in India?

Ready to Explore Entrepreneurship in India?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a business in India as an NRI?

How has GST changed doing business in India?

Is India a good place for NRI entrepreneurs in 2025?

How do I do market research for an Indian startup?

What is the work-life balance like in Australia vs India?

How quickly can you relocate from Australia to India?

How do NRI kids adjust when moving back to India?

Table of Contents

9 Years in Australia to Booming Indian Startup: Skippi Ice Pops Founder's Journey

Key Insights from This Story

Ravi's Background

Career Timeline

Why Australia?

Life in Australia

What He Loved About Australia

The Dream House

Career Philosophy

The Painful Return

⚠️ The Trigger

The 5-Week Exit

The Emotional Toll

The Timeline

Kids' Adjustment

The Kids' Ages

Why They Adjusted Well

School Selection

Entrepreneur Journey

The Mindset

The Skippi Ice Pops Idea

Shark Tank India Success