Tycoon
Volume 5 Issue 3
March 2026
Navigating the business and startup landscape in Goa
COVER FEATURE
Black Tiger Group
Siolim entrepreneur Nilesh
“Buddy” Vernekar built Black Tiger Group through integrity, expanding ventures while supporting Goa’s communities.
Baga Kayaking –Vhoddekar
Alvira Vhoddekar continues her family’s seafaring legacy through Baga Kayaking, promoting ecofriendly ocean adventures and responsible tourism.
Dharamkot Studio
Dharamkot Studio offers mindful pottery experiences in Mandrem, encouraging creativity, craft learning, and connection through clay.
NUR Artistree
Nidhi Doshi’s NUR Artistree blends Mithila art, storytelling, and workshops, creating meaningful cultural and artistic experiences.
Editorial
Dear Readers,
As we step into March, a month of fresh momentum, this edition of Goa Tycoon celebrates individuals shaping Goa’s entrepreneurial and creative landscape through passion, resilience, and purposeful ventures.
We begin with Siolim entrepreneur Nilesh “Buddy” Vernekar, whose Black Tiger Group has grown across security, real estate, and documentation, reflecting a journey built on integrity, service, and community support.
The spirit of the sea continues through Alvira Gonsalves Vhoddekar of Baga Kayaking, who carries forward her family’s seafaring legacy. Her eco-friendly ocean experiences celebrate adventure while promoting responsible tourism and inspiring more women to step into the world of water sports.
Creativity finds a mindful space at Dharamkot Studio, which began in Himachal’s mountains and now extends to Mandrem in Goa. Here, pottery becomes a shared experience where people slow down, learn the craft of clay, and reconnect with creativity and community.
Filmmaker and artist Nidhi Doshi brings tradition and storytelling together through NUR Artistree, a creative sanctuary where Mithila art, workshops, and cultural narratives encourage meaningful artistic expression.
Siblings Nikhil and Sneha Humbraskar of Nikhil’s Cruising curate memorable voyages along the Mandovi River, blending scenic cruises, celebrations, and entertainment to create unique hospitality on water.
Artepreneur Smriti Sabbanwar’s Greyy Feather transforms interiors through personalized murals, sculptures, and artistic décor, turning everyday spaces into artistic experiences.
Nell of Cuppa City Coffee celebrates Indiangrown beans, making specialty coffee more approachable through thoughtful roasting, ready-to-drink brews, and coffee education.
Together, these stories reveal a key truth about business in Goa: success requires more than ideas. It calls for understanding seasonal rhythms, nurturing loyal customers, staying digitally present, managing resources wisely, and using quieter months to evolve. This mindful approach transforms small ventures into lasting legacies.
Well, that's all I have for you from my desk this month. I hope you enjoy reading this month's issue of Goa Tycoon. Do share it with your friends all across the globe.
Until next month, cheers!
Warm regards,
Jessyl Fernandez Editor
01 Black Tiger Group
02 Baga Kayaking – Vhoddekar
03 Dharamkot Studio
04 NUR Artistree
05 Nikhil’s Cruising
06 Greyy Feather
07 Cuppa City Coffee
Introduction
Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palm-fringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous 'almi' (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivalsthe International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blog-based website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine – a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, UK, USA, etc.
Editorial Team
Chief Editor
Jessyl Fernandez
Sales
Donald Fernandez
Andrea Fernandes
Content & Social Media Saviola Dias Britney Fernandes
Graphics & Layout
Britney Fernandes
For advertising queries: +91 7887330620 / 9370502124
ItsGoa Media Group
Nordic Intent HQ - Floor 3, PDA
Colony, Porvorim, Goa 403521
Email: mail@itsgoa.com Website: itsgoa.com
hotel Lua Nova
Black Tiger Group
Siolim entrepreneur Nilesh “Buddy” Vernekar built the Black Tiger Group on integrity, resilience, and service, growing multiple ventures across security, real estate, and documentation while creating opportunities and supporting community needs in Goa
Article by: Team ItsGoa
Images by: Black Tiger Group
In the quiet village of Siolim, Goa, Nilesh Sadanand Vernekar, fondly known to most as Buddy, built his life on values that feel increasingly rare in modern business: punctuality, discipline, honesty, and equal respect for everyone.
Beyond boardrooms and business meetings, he remains a man of simple pleasures, finding joy in horse riding, fishing, exploring new places, shopping, and admiring fine automobiles and sports. These interests reflect both his grounded nature and his appetite for growth, a balance that has come to define his entrepreneurial journey.
What readers might not immediately see is the emotional core that drives him. His work ethic is deeply personal, shaped by family, resilience, and a promise to always give more than he takes.
Roots of Resilience
Buddy’s early life laid the foundation for the leader he would become. Raised with strong moral principles, he grew up believing that one’s word must hold weight and that success should never come at the cost of integrity.
A turning point arrived with the loss of his father, a guiding force and constant supporter. Instead of retreating in grief, he transformed that loss into purpose. His father’s advice, to be generous, avoid greed, and lead with heart, became the philosophy that now governs every venture under his leadership.
The Birth of a Name and a Vision
The identity of the company itself carries personal symbolism. The name “Black Tiger” merges two defining elements of Buddy’s personality. Black, his favorite colour, represents strength and authority, while “Tiger,” a nickname given to him in his youth, stands for courage and fearlessness. Together, they form more than a brand, they express a mindset. The Black Tiger stands alert, protective, and unafraid to take charge.
Building Multiple Pillars of Service
Under the Black Tiger umbrella, Buddy oversees several ventures that cater to diverse community needs while maintaining a unified commitment to reliability and trust.
Black Tiger Security operates as the group’s protective arm, offering elite bouncers for highprofile events, trained guards for properties, and licensed gunmen for maximum safety. The focus is not simply on manpower, but on disciplined vigilance and dependable protection that gives clients peace of mind.
Black Tiger Properties Private Limited addresses real estate requirements by acquiring large land parcels, developing plots, and undertaking construction projects based on client needs. Their approach simplifies property ownership while ensuring transparency and clarity in every transaction.
Meanwhile, All In One Prints streamlines administrative processes that many find overwhelming. From land transfers and zoning paperwork to registry services, legal documentation, and even marriage registrations, the company handles essential formalities under one roof, reducing stress and saving time for customers.
Rocky’s victory reflects quality breeding and dedicated handling Owner - Nilesh Vernekar
A yachting experience - VIPs enjoyed the journey, Black Tigers Security Services stayed alert, discreet, and in control every nautical mile of the way
Black Tiger Security providing professional protection at a VIP businessman’s wedding reception www.itsgoa.com itsgoa_ Itsgoa
Each venture solves a different problem, yet all share the same foundation: dependable service delivered with accountability.
Challenges That Shaped the Leader
Like any entrepreneurial story, Buddy’s path was not free of obstacles. Every new beginning came with hurdles, from operational complexities to market uncertainties.
Rather than allowing setbacks to stall progress, he adopted a practical mindset, never give up, always prepare backup plans, and focus on solutions rather than blame. This adaptability allowed the group not only to survive but to steadily expand.
Transparency as a Competitive Edge
What distinguishes the Black Tiger Group from competitors is its client-first approach. Buddy prioritizes open communication, frequent updates, and complete transparency. Customers are encouraged to share suggestions, creating a collaborative relationship rather than a transactional one. Innovation also plays a role.
The security division is developing a dedicated application to track guards’ attendance, monitor performance, and provide real-time updates. In residential spaces, clients can view live footage and communicate directly with security personnel, bringing modern technology into traditional protection services.
Leadership Through Teamwork
Managing multiple verticals across Goa requires trust in people. Buddy believes that no business grows alone. His teams remain connected through constant communication, with designated responsibilities and structured coordination. For newcomers, he emphasizes two essentials above all: teamwork and clear communication. To him, these are not corporate buzzwords but the backbone of professional ethics.
Milestones of Meaning
Progress is measured not just in revenue but in journey. Buddy remembers starting small, travelling on a Honda Kinetic scooter while dreaming of building something bigger.
Nilesh attended the bodybuilding competition as a guest, appreciating the athletes hard work and dedication
Black Tiger Security Services was proud to safeguard the DO NOT ESCAPE event at Escape, Socorro
Over time, that modest beginning evolved into a growing fleet of vehicles and expanding offices across North and South Goa. One particularly memorable milestone was acquiring his first premium car, an Audi, a symbol not of luxury alone, but of how far perseverance can take a person. Today, rental offices have given way to owned spaces, marking a tangible transformation from startup to stability.
Life Beyond Work
Despite a packed schedule, Buddy values moments that reconnect him to himself. Weekends are reserved for travel, often long drives across different Indian states. These journeys offer reflection and renewal, helping him return to work with fresh clarity.
Commitment to Community
For Buddy, business success means little if it does not benefit others.
His companies aim to simplify life for clients by offering multiple solutions and even helping them connect with the right authorities when needed. The objective is straightforward: no one should leave empty-handed. Looking ahead, he envisions expanding operations across Goa, opening new branches, and creating meaningful employment for local youth.
A Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
His advice to the next generation is grounded and honest. Do not chase quick money or instant success, he says. Instead, focus on building something that brings genuine satisfaction. Treat everyone with respect, stay kind, and let integrity guide decisions.
In an era often obsessed with speed, Buddy’s story is a reminder that steady growth, courage, and character still build the strongest foundations, much like the Black Tiger itself: watchful, resilient, and ready to protect what matters most.
Empowering Goa’s youth through sport, Nilesh Sadanand Vernekar hosted a vibrant Cricket Festival for young talents.
Baga
Alvira Gonsalves Vhoddekar carries forward her family’s seafaring legacy through Baga Kayaking, offering authentic, eco-friendly ocean experiences while preserving tradition, promoting responsible tourism, and inspiring women in adventure sports.
Article by: ItsGoa
Images by: Baga Kayaking – Vhoddekar
Along the golden stretch of Baga, where the Arabian Sea meets the shore in a timeless rhythm, the Vhoddekar name stands as a quiet symbol of heritage, resilience, and authenticity. Long before tourism transformed Goa into a global destination, families like the Vhoddekars lived in harmony with the sea, understanding its moods, respecting its power, and depending on its generosity. Today, that same legacy continues through Baga Kayaking –Vhoddekar, led by Alvira Gonsalves Vhoddekar, who has not only preserved her family’s connection to the ocean but has also redefined how visitors experience Goa’s waters.
Roots Anchored in Tradition
The story of the Vhoddekar family is inseparable from the story of the sea itself. For generations, their lives revolved around traditional fishing practices, navigating coastal waters in handcrafted wooden canoes, and cultivating an instinctive understanding of tides and weather patterns. The sea was more than a source of livelihood, it was a constant presence that shaped their worldview, values, and identity.
Growing up in Baga, Alvira was immersed in this environment from an early age.
Her childhood was defined by the rhythms of the coast, watching fishermen prepare for early morning journeys, observing the shifting colors of the water, and learning the unspoken rules of respecting nature. These experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation not only for the ocean’s beauty but also for its importance as a cultural and ecological treasure.
Beyond her work, Alvira continues to nurture her personal interests in nature, marine life, and meaningful human connection. She finds joy in interacting with travelers from across the world, offering them perspectives of Goa that extend far beyond its well-known beaches and nightlife. For her, every conversation is an opportunity to share a deeper story, one rooted in heritage, humility, and belonging.
Eugenio Vhoddekar: The Man Who Opened Goa’s Waters to the World
The transformation of the Vhoddekar family’s relationship with the sea began with Eugenio Vhoddekar, Alvira’s father and a pioneer of coastal tourism in North Goa. At a time when tourism was still unfamiliar territory, Eugenio recognized the potential to introduce visitors to the sea in a way that was safe, personal, and authentic.
Using simple wooden canoes, he began offering rides to curious travelers, sharing not only the physical experience of being on the water but also stories of Goa’s coastal traditions and local life.
Owner - Alvira Gonsalves
Kayaking in the Lush mangroves of Baga
His approach was marked by warmth, discipline, and a genuine sense of hospitality. Guests trusted him not only for his skill but also for his integrity and respect for the ocean.
Over time, his reputation grew, and the Vhoddekar name became synonymous with reliability and authenticity. Eugenio’s work helped shape early coastal tourism in Baga, laying a foundation that would influence how visitors engaged with the sea for years to come. More importantly, he established values that would guide the family’s future, prioritizing safety, sincerity, and meaningful experiences over commercial gain.
A New Chapter: Innovation Guided by Legacy
When Alvira stepped into the family’s footsteps, she carried with her both the weight of tradition and the desire to create something uniquely her own. Entering a field largely dominated by men presented its share of challenges.
Doubts and skepticism were constant companions, but her confidence, built on generations of knowledge and personal determination, remained steadfast.
Recognizing a shift in traveler preferences, she introduced kayaking as a way for visitors to engage with Goa’s waters in a more intimate and environmentally conscious manner. Unlike motorized activities, kayaking allowed individuals to move quietly through the water, observing marine life, mangroves, and coastal landscapes without disruption.
Becoming the first woman to introduce structured kayaking experiences in Goa was a significant milestone, both personally and professionally. Through consistency, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to safety, Alvira gradually earned the trust and respect of guests and peers alike. Her work not only expanded the family’s offerings but also created space for greater female representation in water-based adventure activities.
Experiences That Go Beyond Adventure
At the heart of Baga Kayaking – Vhoddekar is the belief that every experience should feel personal and meaningful. Each kayaking journey is carefully designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to the waters while ensuring comfort and safety for participants. Sea kayaking offers guests the opportunity to explore Goa’s expansive coastline, where the vastness of the ocean creates a sense of freedom and perspective. River kayaking, by contrast, provides a quieter experience, guiding participants through serene backwaters and mangrove-lined channels rich with biodiversity.
Among the most unique offerings is moonlight kayaking, an experience defined by tranquility and reflection. Under the glow of the moon, the water takes on a different character, creating moments of stillness that leave a lasting impression on those who experience it.
These journeys are never rushed. Guests are guided patiently, encouraged to absorb their surroundings, and invited to connect with the environment at their own pace. The experience becomes less about activity and more about presence.
From Dock to Discovery
In water-based activities, safety is paramount, and Baga Kayaking – Vhoddekar approaches it with the utmost seriousness. Every guest receives a comprehensive safety briefing before entering the water. High-quality equipment, properly fitted life jackets, and trained guidance ensure that participants feel secure throughout their journey.
Weather patterns and tide conditions are carefully monitored, and activities are conducted only when conditions are suitable. This meticulous approach reflects the family’s longstanding respect for the ocean and their commitment to responsible tourism.
Equally important is the personal connection that defines each experience. Guests are not treated as customers but as participants in a shared story. Conversations flow naturally, stories are exchanged, and what begins as an activity often evolves into a memorable cultural encounter.
Looking Toward the Horizon
Authenticity in an Age of Commercial Tourism
In a region where tourism has grown rapidly, Baga Kayaking – Vhoddekar remains grounded in authenticity. Unlike large-scale operators, the experiences offered here are not driven by volume but by values.
Guests are guided by someone whose family has lived and worked on these waters for generations, bringing a depth of knowledge that cannot be replicated.
This authenticity is reflected in the loyalty of repeat visitors, many of whom return not only for the kayaking but also for the sense of familiarity and trust they have come to associate with the Vhoddekar name.
For many, the experience becomes a highlight of their time in Goa, not because of extravagance, but because of its sincerity.
As Alvira continues to lead Baga Kayaking –Vhoddekar into the future, her vision remains rooted in preservation and progress. She is committed to maintaining her family’s legacy while promoting responsible tourism that respects both nature and local culture.
She also hopes to inspire more women to pursue opportunities in adventure sports and coastal tourism, demonstrating that passion and perseverance can overcome even the most entrenched barriers.
Ultimately, her goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that every guest leaves with more than photographs, that they carry with them a deeper connection to Goa, its waters, and its stories.
In the gentle movement of a kayak across calm waters, guided by hands shaped by generations of experience, the Vhoddekar legacy continues to flow, steady, enduring, and deeply connected to the soul of Goa.
Coasting through life
Pottery & Creative Workshops
Dharamkot Studio
Dharamkot Studio, born in Himachal’s mountains and expanded to Mandrem, Goa, offers a mindful pottery space where people slow down, learn clay craft, and connect through creativity, community, and nature.
www.itsgoa.com itsgoa_ Itsgoa
Article by: Team ItsGoa
Images by: Dharamkot Studio
Practice at the pottery wheel
In an age where speed often defines experience, Dharamkot Studio offers something radically different: slowness, tactility, and shared creative time. What began as a small pottery space in the mountains of Himachal has grown into a creative sanctuary that now lives between Dharamkot and Mandrem in Goa. At its heart, the studio was founded with a simple intention, to make clay accessible, grounding, and shared.
From the beginning, pottery was never treated as a mere craft or hobby. It became a medium for building a space where people could find quiet focus and discover their own rhythm through their hands. Over time, Dharamkot Studio evolved not only through the efforts of its founders, but through the presence of every traveler, artist, and beginner who walked through its doors, leaving behind a trace of their learning and experience.
From Mountains to Coast: Two Landscapes, One Philosophy
Although Dharamkot Studio exists in two distinct geographies, Dharamkot in Himachal Pradesh and Mandrem in Goa, the spirit remains unchanged. Both spaces are rooted in the same philosophy of slowing down, working with the hands, and learning within a shared environment. The difference lies primarily in the surrounding landscape and the pace it invites.
Dharamkot, where the studio first took shape, sits in the mountains. The quiet village atmosphere naturally encourages participants to pause and immerse themselves in longer courses and focused practice. Many arrive for extended study, drawn by the stillness and the opportunity to deepen their relationship with clay.
Mandrem, by contrast, brings this same approach into a coastal setting. Here, the studio breathes alongside the sea. Creativity blends with beach life, and the rhythm feels open and relaxed. Visitors often arrive while exploring Goa, discovering pottery as part of a slower routine within their travels. The result is a relaxed, open studio where clay, creativity, and coastal life meet seamlessly.
Why Goa, and Why Mandrem
The expansion into Goa emerged from a larger vision. Over time, the studio’s founders noticed that many in their community moved between landscapes in search of places that allowed them to reconnect with themselves. This observation shaped a broader intention: to create creative spaces rooted in nature, wherever they may be.
Mandrem stood out because of its quieter village charm, offering a contrast to busier parts of Goa. The location aligned with the studio’s ethos, an environment where clay, community, and nature could exist in dialogue. Rather than limiting the studio to one geography, the founders saw Mandrem as another chapter in building mindful spaces across varied landscapes, whether mountain or coastline.
A Studio Shaped by Climate and Community
While the core philosophy remains consistent, the Goa studio has its own personality shaped by climate and atmosphere. Unlike the cozy, sheltered Dharamkot studios, where Studio 1 welcomes beginners and Studio 2 supports advanced and longterm practitioners, the Mandrem space feels open and breezy. The humidity influences the material itself; clay remains workable for longer, naturally encouraging a slower and more fluid pace.
The community in Goa is equally diverse. Long-stay travelers, visitors passing through, complete beginners, and practicing artists often share the same workspace. This mix enriches the environment, turning workshops into exchanges of perspectives as much as technique.
Learning the Language of Clay
For many first-time participants, the Goa studio becomes their introduction to pottery. Beginners learn foundational techniques of shaping and forming clay, yet the deeper takeaway often goes beyond technique. Clay teaches patience. It asks for attention. It requires acceptance of mistakes as part of growth.
Participants begin to understand what the studio calls the “language of clay”, knowing when to apply pressure, when to pause, and how to respond to the material’s resistance. Beyond the bowl or mug they create, they leave with a renewed comfort in learning something unfamiliar and imperfect. For those choosing longer retreats, the experience unfolds at a measured pace. Studio sessions typically run from late morning to late afternoon, balancing instruction with independent practice and relaxed breaks.
Mornings are free for rest or wellness activities, while evenings invite exploration of Goa or quiet reflection. Weekly community gatherings extend the experience beyond the wheel and worktable, nurturing connection among participants.
Values in Practice: Kindness, Honesty, and Care
Dharamkot Studio speaks often of kindness, honesty, and care, principles that quietly shape its culture. In Goa, these values appear in the way the space is held. There is no pressure to perform, no hierarchy of skill. Participants are supported regardless of experience, encouraged to move at their own pace in a respectful and inclusive environment.
The studio’s focus leans toward functional pottery and expressive forms, with an emphasis on experimentation rather than rigid technique. Surface textures, relaxed silhouettes, and everyday ceramics become avenues for exploration. The goal is not perfection, but presence.
Pottery in a Fast-Paced World
The growing interest in pottery, especially in places like Goa, reflects a larger cultural shift.
Guided exploration through clay
In a world dominated by screens and accelerated routines, wet clay offers resistance, literal and metaphorical. It demands physical engagement and rewards attention.
Working with clay reconnects people to the tactile world and to their own patience. In a destination often associated with fast experiences and nightlife, pottery presents an alternative. It becomes a way to feel alive through creation rather than consumption. Making something functional with one’s own hands brings a quiet satisfaction that lingers long after the workshop ends.
Building a Creative Ecosystem
Collaboration remains central to the studio’s vision. In Goa, Dharamkot Studio continues to build connections with local artists, cafés, and wellness spaces, gradually forming a broader creative ecosystem. The intention is not only to offer workshops, but to cultivate a network where art, conversation, and shared experiences intersect. Participants are encouraged to book in advance due to limited seats, arriving in comfortable clothing ready to embrace the inevitable mess of clay.
No prior experience is required, only curiosity.
What Lies Ahead
Looking forward, Dharamkot Studio in Goa plans to expand organically. Longer-term pottery and ceramic courses are in development, alongside international ceramic art workshops and community-led events.
The team is also working toward more sustained learning programs for those wishing to engage deeply with design and craft, moving beyond short introductions into immersive exploration.
At the same time, new formats of creative retreats are being shaped, combining making, learning, and shared experience in evolving ways that reflect both the coastal landscape and the studio’s founding philosophy.
From mountain beginnings to coastal horizons, Dharamkot Studio continues to create spaces where clay becomes more than material. It becomes connection, between hands and earth, between strangers and community, and between place and presence.
art studio
NUR Artistree
Filmmaker and artist Nidhi Doshi founded NUR Artistree in Goa as a creative sanctuary blending Mithila art, storytelling, and workshops, where tradition, personal expression, and cultural narratives guide meaningful artistic experiences.
by: ItsGoa Images by: NUR Artistree
Article
For Nidhi Doshi, art has never been a profession alone. It is a way of living, observing, and understanding the world. Educated as a filmmaker and working professionally as a cinematographer, she carries the language of light, composition, and narrative into everything she creates. Raised in Gujarat and later settling in Goa, she developed a sensibility shaped by culture, rituals, and the poetry of everyday details.
Beyond her work, Doshi is a careful observer. She values slowness, emotional depth, and spaces that allow people to be fully themselves. This temperament, reflective rather than performative, ultimately shaped the foundation of her creative studio.
The Meaning Behind NUR
NUR Artistree emerged from a personal turning point. Doshi wanted to create something more intimate and intentional, a place that felt authentic to her roots while still allowing room for evolution. The word “NUR,” meaning light, became central to the studio’s identity. For her, it also represents “Nidhi’s Untamed Roots,” a return to culture, memory, and tradition without rigidity.
The studio was never conceived as a conventional classroom or commercial art space. Instead, it functions as a sanctuary where heritage techniques meet contemporary experimentation, and where creativity unfolds like a ritual rather than a spectacle.
A Sanctuary, Not a Studio
Stepping into NUR Artistree feels less like attending a workshop and more like entering a different rhythm. The environment is calm yet curious, minimal yet emotionally rich. Soft music, natural light, and an intentionally designed layout create an atmosphere that invites reflection.
The space welcomes a diverse mix of individuals, artists, corporate professionals, writers, travellers, collectors, and women seeking personal expression. What unites them is not skill level, but a shared desire for depth and meaningful engagement with creativity. Doshi describes the experience as grounded rather than chaotic. Here, the process matters more than productivity, and creation happens without pressure or noise.
From Cinema to Canvas
Although Doshi’s formal training lies in filmmaking, her connection to art began long before that. As a child, she was drawn to colours, patterns, and the storytelling embedded in visual forms. Cinema sharpened her understanding of composition and narrative, but painting offered something entirely different: silence.
Through painting, she discovered a slower and more intimate language of expression, one capable of holding emotions that words often fail to capture. Her affinity for Mithila art grew from this search for meaning. Its symbolism, devotional quality, and layered storytelling resonated deeply.
Over time, she began merging traditional motifs with her own visual sensibilities, creating a distinctive style she calls Misra-Mithila, a fusion that bridges heritage and personal identity.
Nidhi Doshi
Mithila Painting - Nature’s Boat
Participant learning art
Influences Beyond the Studio
Life outside the studio continually feeds Doshi’s creative practice. Travel shapes her perception of people, architecture, markets, and rituals. Cooking becomes another form of composition, balancing colour and texture much like a canvas. Reading mythology and cultural history enriches her storytelling approach.
Photography remains a daily habit, allowing her to study light in ordinary spaces. Even the quiet of early mornings in Goa, punctuated by birdsong and soft daylight, informs the atmosphere she strives to recreate within the studio.
Teaching as Transformation
At the heart of NUR Artistree lies education, not as instruction, but as reconnection. Doshi’s workshops focus as much on emotional confidence as on technique. Many participants arrive believing they lack creativity. Watching that hesitation transform into self-trust is what she values most.
Her role is not simply to demonstrate methods but to guide people back to their inner voice. The moment a participant looks at their finished work with pride becomes the true measure of success.
Services Rooted in Story
The studio offers structured workshops ranging from foundational to advanced levels. These include Mithila art sessions, storytelling-based painting, and explorations of colour theory. Beyond classes, Doshi provides photography services, creative direction, custom commissions, art prints, and curated creative experiences.
Each offering shares a common thread: intentional design and narrative depth. Whether it is a canvas, a photograph, or a collaborative project, every piece begins with a story.
Storytelling as the Core Language
For Doshi, storytelling is not an added layer but the foundation of her practice. A painting may begin with a mythological figure such as Surya, surrounded by symbolic elements that hold cultural significance. A workshop may be structured like a film, moving through stages of introduction, exploration, expression, and reflection.
Mithila Painting- Peacocks
Krishna Rasleela
Mithila Painting- Queen
She believes that art without narrative remains decorative, while art grounded in story becomes memory. This philosophy shapes every session, ensuring that participants leave with experiences that linger beyond the studio walls.
Projects Close to the Heart
Among her most meaningful works is the MisraMithila series, where Egyptian and Mithila patterns intersect. The collection reflects her own journey of blending origins with evolution, tradition with personal reinvention.
Her storytelling photography workshops are equally significant, uniting her two worlds, filmmaking and fine art. These sessions allow her to share not just technical skills but a way of seeing, encouraging participants to recognise the narrative potential in every frame.
Building Something Lasting
Establishing an intimate creative sanctuary has not been without challenges. Located in Colvale, away from immediate footfall, the studio depends on intentional visits rather than passing traffic.
Balancing the demands of running a business while preserving the softness of an artistic space has required patience and clarity.
Yet Doshi remains guided by a simple principle: build something lasting rather than loud. Every visitor who finds calm within the space reaffirms that choice.
A Ritual of Creativity
NUR Artistree stands apart from trend-driven art hubs. It is built on sustainability, cultural continuity, emotional safety, and integrity. It does not promise quick results or spectacle. Instead, it offers time, attention, and a slower return to self.
For those who enter, the experience becomes less about learning art and more about reconnecting with their own light. And in that quiet illumination, Doshi’s vision is fulfilled, a place where tradition, rebellion, and storytelling coexist, and where creativity feels deeply human.
Studio workspace
Cruise Experience
Nikhil’s Cruising
Nikhil’s Cruising, led by siblings Nikhil and Sneha Humbraskar, offers curated cruise experiences on Goa’s Mandovi River, blending scenic voyages, entertainment, and personalized celebrations to create memorable hospitality on water.
Article by: ItsGoa
Images by: Nikhil’s Cruising
On the calm waters of the Mandovi River, where sunsets melt into music and city lights shimmer against the tide, a distinct kind of cruise experience has been steadily redefining leisure in Goa. At the heart of this journey is Nikhil’s Cruising, a venture led by sibling duo Nikhil Humbraskar and Sneha Humbraskar, co-founders and directors who have transformed a family dream into one of the region’s most thoughtfully curated hospitality experiences.
Blending operational precision with warm, guestfocused hosting, the two bring complementary strengths to the business. Nikhil steers logistics, compliance, and strategy, ensuring every sailing runs seamlessly. Sneha shapes the ambience on board, crafting events, managing hospitality, and refining the brand’s personality. Together, they lead a crew that treats each voyage not merely as transport on water, but as a complete experience.
Roots by the Ocean
Growing up in Goa, the sea was never just a backdrop for the Humbraskars; it was part of everyday life. Travel, gatherings, and a love for bringing people together naturally shaped their interests. While Nikhil gravitated toward systems and operations, Sneha found joy in hosting and planning celebrations.
This shared inclination toward hospitality and meaningful experiences eventually aligned with their father’s long-held vision of launching a premium cruise service. Having already operated two successful boat ride businesses, the transition felt organic. The ambition was clear: move beyond simple rides and create immersive moments on the water.
More Than a Cruise, A Carefully Designed Experience
From the moment guests arrive, the journey aboard Nikhil’s Cruising follows a smooth, structured rhythm. Early boarding allows for relaxed seating and an unhurried start. The vessel itself is designed with intention. The upper deck opens to panoramic river views, making it ideal for watching the sun dip below the horizon. The lower deck shifts the mood, hosting music, dancing, and live entertainment. Guests can choose between tranquil sightseeing or lively engagement, moving freely between atmospheres.
Cultural performances, interactive segments, children’s entertainment, and live hosting ensure the program remains energetic yet organized. The balance keeps the space welcoming for families while still engaging for couples and groups.
Nikhil’s Cruising
Shigmo Utsav celebrated on cruise with special performance Ghode modni by artist
Goa Sunset Cruise Vibes
Hosted a Spooktacular Halloween Cruise Event
Tailored Sailings for Every Occasion
The brand’s offerings are shaped around different moods and moments. The sunset cruise centers on scenic beauty and relaxed cultural entertainment, drawing families and travelers who want an easygoing introduction to Goa’s waterways.
The dinner cruise transforms the vessel into a vibrant nighttime setting, complete with DJs, performances, and curated dining that creates a festive, celebratory tone.
Private charters open up another dimension. Birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, pre-wedding functions, and corporate gatherings are customized down to décor, music, and program flow. Each booking becomes a blank canvas, designed around the host’s vision rather than a standard template.
Comfort and Control at Scale
Operating a vessel with a 165-passenger capacity could easily compromise comfort, yet the team views space management as central to their promise of quality. Bookings are carefully regulated to avoid overcrowding, and the guest mix is deliberately balanced between families, couples, and groups.
The two-deck layout further enhances flexibility, allowing guests to find their preferred environment without feeling confined. This approach keeps the energy lively without tipping into chaos, preserving a premium, relaxed feel throughout the journey.
Setting the Right Atmosphere
What distinguishes the cruises is not just entertainment, but orchestration. Sound levels, lighting, program pacing, and crowd management are all deliberately structured. Sunset sailings remain warm and scenic, while evening cruises carry a refined vibrancy rather than overwhelming noise.
The team also introduces themed experiences tied to festivals and special occasions, transforming décor, music, and hosting style to reflect celebrations such as Carnival, Diwali, Valentine’s Day, and New Year’s Eve. Each sailing feels unique, not repetitive.
Guests at the Heart of Every Decision
The audience is as diverse as Goa itself. Domestic and international tourists, families with children, couples seeking a romantic evening, corporate teams, and event hosts all step on board with different expectations.
Nikhil’s Cruising hosted the Karnataka Film Festival Award Show on board, with celebrated actor Mr. Suman attending as Guest of Honour
Doctors Unwind in Goa
Instead of offering a fixed format, the team adapts. Music changes with the crowd, pacing adjusts to the mood, and private events receive personalized planning. This flexibility allows the cruises to remain consistent in quality while still feeling personal.
Moments That Matter
Among many celebrations hosted over the years, one memory stands out for the founders. On Teachers’ Day, they invited teachers from their own school aboard. Serving and entertaining the very mentors who shaped their lives turned the evening into something deeply personal. Watching them relax and celebrate under the open sky felt less like an event and more like a full-circle moment.
Navigating Challenges with Discipline
Running a cruise business is not without hurdles. Weather unpredictability, maritime regulations, coordination, and maintaining service standards demand constant attention.
The solution has been simple but effective: strong systems, a well-trained team, and clear communication. Equally important is the siblings’ working relationship.
Respecting each other’s strengths allows them to respond quickly and collaboratively, keeping operations steady even when conditions change.
A Vision for Celebrations on Water
At its core, Nikhil’s Cruising is built on the philosophy of designing environments where memories are made effortlessly. Every sailing is envisioned as an elegant, safe, and vibrant gathering rather than just a ride along the river.
For Nikhil and Sneha, success is not measured by capacity, but by how guests feel when they step off the boat. The aim is simple yet ambitious: to become Goa’s most trusted name for curated celebrations on the water, where every journey feels intentional, polished, and genuinely unforgettable.
Greyy Feather
Artepreneur Smriti Sabbanwar founded Greyy Feather to merge fine art with interior spaces, creating personalized murals, sculptures, and décor that transform homes and commercial spaces into meaningful artistic experiences.
Article by: Team ItsGoa Images by: Greyy Feather
Smriti Sabbanwar’s journey into art did not follow a straight line, yet every step seemed to lead her closer to her true calling. Today, she stands as an artepreneur and the founder of Greyy Feather, a creative studio that blends fine art with thoughtfully designed spaces.
After completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Arts in 2015, she began working independently while also teaching at Mount Litera Zee School. Although the classroom offered structure and stability, she soon realized her heart belonged to the studio, where imagination had no boundaries.
Determined to deepen her craft, she pursued a diploma in Pottery and Sculpture and later trained in Interior Design in Hyderabad to better understand spatial aesthetics. Her academic journey culminated in a Masters in Fine Arts with a specialization in Murals, equipping her with both technical mastery and conceptual clarity.
The Birth of a Creative Studio
By 2022, Smriti had gathered over a decade of artistic experience and felt ready to build something that carried her signature philosophy.
That vision became Greyy Feather, a studio offering customized paintings, wall murals, fiber sculptures, fabric art, interior décor, and bespoke creative solutions under one roof. For her, art is not a product but an experience that interacts with people’s daily lives and emotions. The brand was shaped by the belief that every space deserves individuality rather than generic decoration.
Rooted in Imagination and Independence
Art had been her language since childhood, nurtured by a vivid imagination and a fascination with cartoons that felt like alternate worlds. Those early influences developed her love for storytelling and sketching, eventually guiding her toward a life built entirely around creativity.
Becoming an artepreneur allowed her to combine independence with expression, giving her control over both artistic direction and business decisions. Greyy Feather, therefore, is not just a company but a reflection of her identity and values.
Personalization Over Mass Production
Smriti strongly believes that ready-made pieces can never replace the emotional value of something crafted specifically for an individual.
Smriti Sabbanwar
She sees every room as an extension of the person who inhabits it, which makes customization an essential rather than optional choice.
From bedrooms and offices to expansive commercial interiors, she studies how colors and forms influence moods and behavior. This sensitivity to detail ensures that each artwork feels naturally integrated, creating a sense of belonging for the people who experience it.
Listening Before Creating
Her process always begins with observation and conversation, as she insists on in-person meetings and site visits whenever possible. Physical presence helps her understand the energy of a space and interpret subtle preferences that might never surface in virtual discussions.
After gathering insights, she prepares curated mood boards with multiple concepts, color palettes, and compositions that align with the client’s personality. Once the direction is finalized, she personally sketches the groundwork and guides her team through execution, maintaining consistency and quality at every stage.
Art Without Labels
Whether a project is residential or commercial makes little difference to her creative mindset, because she views every surface as a canvas waiting for meaning. Her only priority is delivering artwork that feels neat, harmonious, and emotionally satisfying for the client.
The scale of the project rarely defines its success, as even a small wall can hold immense significance when treated with intention. For Smriti, the client’s reaction at the final reveal is the most rewarding measure of accomplishment.
Stories That Stay
Among the many collaborations she has undertaken, a few remain especially memorable because of the creative connection involved. Working with Maria Goretti, wife of Arshad Warsi, allowed her to carefully curate the interiors of a villa through detailed and thoughtful design discussions.
Another meaningful assignment came from Prescon Realtors for their senior living project, Ikigai, where she created playful Mario-themed artworks to evoke joy and nostalgia. Seeing residents smile and interact with the pieces reaffirmed her belief that art can bring comfort as well as beauty.
Madhubani art
Warli art
Mario's cartoons
Materials, Texture, and Longevity
For Smriti, durability is just as important as visual appeal, which is why she personally selects materials for every project. Exterior murals are designed for long-term endurance, interiors use premium-grade paints, and sculptural works are built with structural considerations in mind.
Textures, finishes, and scale play a crucial role in shaping the mood of an artwork and influencing how long it lasts. She treats these elements not as technicalities but as integral parts of the creative language itself.
Challenges and Confidence
Like many artists in India, she has faced the challenge of undervaluation, where people see only paint and surfaces rather than years of learning and practice. Instead of accepting this misconception, she chooses to educate clients about the depth of the artistic process and the expertise behind each creation.
These conversations have helped build greater awareness and respect, allowing her to stand confidently by the value of her work. Over time, this clarity has strengthened both her business and her belief in herself as an artist.
Evolving Through Inspiration
Travel and photography remain constant sources of inspiration, as she captures fleeting moments and translates them into visual ideas. Every journey becomes an opportunity to observe colors, patterns, and textures that later influence her designs.
She avoids imitation and prefers reinterpretation, ensuring that each piece carries her unique perspective rather than borrowed aesthetics. This commitment to originality keeps her style evolving while staying authentic to her voice.
Looking Ahead
As she looks to the future, Smriti envisions Greyy Feather growing into a trusted creative hub that serves clients both online and offline. She also hopes to use this platform to support and empower women entrepreneurs, creating opportunities through the hub where women can showcase their ideas, collaborate, and grow creatively and professionally. She is currently expanding into customized fabric art, introducing hand-painted garments and home textiles that bring creativity into everyday life.
Through every wall, canvas, and surface she touches, she hopes to remind people that art is not merely decorative but deeply personal and meaningful. Where intention meets imagination, Greyy Feather continues to transform spaces into stories that quietly endure.
Coffee
Cuppa City Coffee
Founded by SCA-certified roaster Nell, Cuppa City Coffee celebrates Indian-grown beans, making specialty coffee approachable through thoughtful roasting, ready-to-drink brews, and education for India’s evolving coffee culture.
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Article by: Team ItsGoa
Images by: Cuppa City Coffee
Cuppa City Coffee was founded by Nell, a trained barista and SCA-certified coffee roaster whose journey into coffee began far from India, in the specialty cafés of Portland, Oregon. Immersed in a culture where coffee was discussed with the same nuance as fine wine, Nell discovered a world of layered aromas, textures, and flavours that challenged everything she had known about the beverage.
Over time, curiosity turned into commitment. In 2019, she returned to India with a clear purpose, to work closer to the source and to explore the immense, yet often underappreciated, potential of Indian-grown coffee.
The Philosophy Behind Cuppa City
At its core, Cuppa City is built on a simple but powerful belief: nothing is as sophisticated as one’s own taste buds. The brand offers a curated selection of India-grown coffees designed to celebrate personal preference rather than impose rigid rules of consumption. Instead of expecting customers to treat coffee as a technical hobby, Cuppa City meets them where they are in their coffee journey.
Founder - Nell
Whether it is a quick snack, a refreshing cold brew, or a carefully brewed cup, the experience is meant to feel intuitive, enjoyable, and inclusive.
Crafting a Distinctly South Asian Flavour
The decision to focus on a uniquely South Asian flavour profile was deeply personal. During visits to India while living in the United States, Nell was struck by how difficult it was to find flavour-forward coffee in a country that ranks among the world’s top coffee exporters. South Asian coffees, when handled with care, offer earthy depth, gentle spice, and a fullbodied richness shaped by distinctive growing conditions.
Cuppa City sources 100% shade-grown Arabica beans cultivated under a two-tier canopy system at elevations ranging from 700 to 1600 metres. The iron- and aluminium-rich soils, combined with cooler temperatures, slow the growth of the coffee plant, allowing flavours to develop with greater complexity and balance.
Creating Coffee for Every Kind of Drinker
India’s coffee culture is regionally diverse. While South India has a long-standing coffee tradition, much of the country remains tea-centric. Early customer interactions revealed gaps in brewing familiarity and accessibility.
Many consumers wanted the comfort and simplicity of instant coffee without compromising on taste. Listening closely to this feedback, Cuppa City introduced ready-to-drink cold brews that removed brewing variables entirely, delivering consistency and balance in every bottle.
To further expand the way coffee could be enjoyed, Nell developed chocolate-coated coffee beans as an instant energy snack, an approachable way for consumers to engage with bean quality and flavour. Over five years, the brand evolved from a purist roasting venture into a customer-informed ecosystem that gently guides drinkers toward better coffee without intimidation.
First Brew Gift Set with 2 coffees and coconut shell cups
The Art and Purpose of Roasting
Roasting plays a defining role in shaping Cuppa City’s identity. Many consumers associate bitterness with strength and caffeine content, a misconception rooted in years of exposure to commercial-grade coffee. Cuppa City challenges this narrative with its guiding principle: Drink Better, Not Bitter.
Organic coffees sourced from across India are roasted with precision to highlight inherent sweetness and layered aromatics. Rather than pushing extremes, the roasting style focuses on balance, allowing fruity, nutty, and chocolate notes to emerge naturally and linger well beyond the final sip.
Lessons from the Coffee Capital
Nell’s professional training in Seattle, often regarded as the coffee capital of the world, sharpened her understanding of consistency and attention to detail. Pulling close to a hundred espresso shots a day for discerning customers revealed how subtle variables such as humidity, grind size, temperature, and bean age can dramatically affect flavour. Any shot that fell short was discarded without hesitation. This uncompromising approach became a cornerstone of Cuppa City: mediocrity has no place when excellence is achievable.
Precision Through Professional Training
Formal training as a barista and certification from the Specialty Coffee Association instilled a heightened sensitivity to quality control. Coffee’s ability to absorb surrounding aromas demands meticulous handling, from palate cleansing during tastings to strict control over storage and roasting environments. Beyond coffee, this training reshaped Nell’s relationship with food itself, encouraging a slower, more mindful appreciation of aroma, texture, and flavour at every stage of consumption.
Navigating Challenges in the Indian Coffee Landscape
One of the most persistent challenges in the Indian market is inconsistency, often driven by gaps in training and exposure. Experiences where the same drink varied dramatically between visits highlighted the importance of hands-on understanding. In contrast to cafés abroad, where every team member shared an obsession with coffee, many local baristas lacked foundational tasting experience. Cuppa City addresses this gap through education, internal discipline, and an unwavering focus on quality at every touchpoint.
Edible Espresso - coffee beans coated in chocolate
Redefining What It Means to Elevate Coffee
For Nell, elevating the coffee game means shifting perception, away from coffee as a functional stimulant and toward its role as a lifestyle product with sensory depth and cultural value. The journey is about guiding consumers from the bitterness they expect toward the natural sweetness that defines well-crafted specialty coffee.
Empowering Home Brewers Through Workshops
Cuppa City’s workshops are designed as practical, confidence-building experiences for home brewers. Participants learn how to select beans, understand grind size, and choose appropriate equipment.
By breaking down brewing methods step by step, the sessions often reveal small but critical adjustments that transform an ordinary cup into a satisfying one. Each participant leaves with a structured guide to continue experimenting and refining their technique.
Why Brewing Correctly Matters
With over 900 aromatic compounds, coffee reveals its true character only through precise brewing. Correct parameters allow regional identities to shine, whether it is the nutty richness of a Coorg Arabica or the floral delicacy of an Araku Honey process. Brewing is the final act in a journey that passes through nearly a hundred hands, and doing it right honours every contributor behind the cup.
The Evolution of Coffee Culture in India
India’s coffee culture is undergoing a quiet transformation. Consumers are increasingly curious about origin, process, and roasting profiles, seeking transparency and authenticity over mass production.
Conscious consumption is also gaining ground, with growing appreciation for plastic-free packaging and reusable containers, values that align closely with Cuppa City’s ethos.
A Goa-Rooted Lifestyle Brand
Cuppa City positions itself as a lifestyle-driven, Goarooted brand with no reliance on gimmicks. Highquality ingredients, thoughtful processes, and products designed for real life define its approach. The philosophy remains clear: great coffee should integrate seamlessly into daily routines, not require a rulebook.
Looking Ahead
The future vision for Cuppa City is to bridge a polarized market, one divided between intimidating, overpriced specialty offerings and low-quality instant options. By combining education, accessible products, and locally available freshly roasted beans, Cuppa City aims to make quality coffee an everyday reality for a broader audience across India and South Asia.
Tasting Session at Kaizen Panjim
