Firsts & Fearless: TheGlitz Super Woman 2026 Kareena Bulchandani Founder, Mokai Café

In our special “Firsts & Fearless” Women’s Day edition, TheGlitz Super Woman celebrates Kareena Bulchandani, the visionary founder of Mokai Café, who has reimagined Mumbai’s café culture with warmth, creativity, and fearless originality.

What began as Kareena’s personal love for coffee, travel, and immersive café culture soon evolved into a bold entrepreneurial journey. Inspired by her travels across China, Singapore, and Southeast Asia and determined to bring that same spirit to Mumbai, Kareena launched Mokai Café in 2024 on Chapel Road in Bandra, creating a distinctive all-day dining destination that blends Japanese-inspired design with Southeast Asian flavours and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

True to its name… Mokai, derived from “moka” for the beloved coffee pot and “ai,” the Japanese word for love… the café reflects Kareena’s belief that hospitality is about more than food and drink; it is about heart, connection, and experience. Under her leadership, Mokai has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about hangouts, loved by young professionals, Gen Z, and café enthusiasts.

Kareena’s journey embodies the spirit of Firsts & Fearless… an entrepreneur who trusted her instincts, turned global inspiration into a local experience, and built a brand rooted in warmth, creativity, and community. Her vision goes far beyond running a café; it is about crafting a “third place” between home and work where people can pause, connect, and feel inspired.

At TheGlitz, we celebrate Kareena Bulchandani as TheGlitz Super Woman, a fearless founder proving that when passion meets purpose, even a simple cup of coffee can spark a movement of culture, creativity, and connection.

“As a woman founder, you’re often perceived as the “creative face” but not always immediately taken seriously in operational or financial discussions. You have to assert yourself calmly but firmly.”

-Kareena Bulchandani, Founder, Mokai Café

Firsts & Fearless

Over To Kareena Bulchandani, Founder, Mokai Café

When was the last time you did something for the first time — and how did it shift your perspective?

Launching Mokai in 2024 was the biggest first of my life. I had travelled, researched and dreamed about the concept for years, but actually signing the lease, building the space, curating the menu and putting my name behind it was a completely different reality. It shifted my perspective from romanticising café culture to truly understanding the grit behind hospitality. It made me more decisive, more resilient, and far more aware of the responsibility that comes with building a physical space people walk into every single day.

What is one truth about being a woman in your industry that deserves more honest conversation?

The F&B industry is demanding in ways people don’t always see. It’s long hours, constant problem-solving and high emotional labour. As a woman founder, you’re often perceived as the “creative face” but not always immediately taken seriously in operational or financial discussions. You have to assert yourself calmly but firmly. I think we need more honest conversations about the stamina, mental strength and negotiation skills it takes for women to lead in hospitality.

Tell us about a challenge that tested you deeply — and what rebuilding taught you about yourself.

The first few months after launching Mokai tested me the most. There’s a vulnerability in putting something so personal out into the world and waiting for people to respond. Not every idea lands, not every day is full. I had to learn to detach emotionally from daily fluctuations and focus on long-term consistency. Rebuilding taught me patience, adaptability and the importance of listening to your community without losing your core vision.

What does power mean to you today, and how has that definition evolved over time?

Earlier, power meant independence and financial stability to me. Today, it feels more nuanced. Power is influenced with intention. It’s the ability to shape an environment, to create a “third place” where people feel comfortable lingering, connecting and slowing down. It’s not about control, it’s about creating impact through design, hospitality and culture.

Beyond titles and milestones, what change do you hope your journey inspires for the next generation of women?

I hope it normalises women building experiential brands in industries that are operationally intense. I want younger women to see that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you start. You can begin with a strong vision and grow into the rest. If my journey inspires even one woman to trust her instinct and build something meaningful, that would mean more than any title.

Rapid-Fire: Kareena Bulchandani, “Her Firsts”

First bold risk you took
Committing to Mokai’s space on Chapel Road and backing a concept that blended Japanese design with Southeast Asian flavours in a market that loves predictability.

First time you chose yourself without guilt
When I said no to collaborations that didn’t align with the Mokai aesthetic, even though they could have brought quick visibility.

First failure that became a lesson
Launching a concept idea that didn’t resonate the way I expected. It reminded me that customer insight is everything, and humility is a strength.

First big win that felt surreal
Walking into Mokai and seeing it completely full, people working, meeting friends, taking photos, staying longer than planned. That’s when I knew it was becoming the “third place” I had imagined.

First time you felt fearless
On opening day. There was anxiety, of course, but there was also clarity. I had done the work, and whatever came next, I was ready for it.

First woman who shaped your ambition
My mother. Her discipline and quiet confidence shaped how I approach both life and business. She showed me that strength doesn’t always have to be loud.