Special Editions
Women’s Day Special: Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs of the Year – 2023
Published
3 years agoon
Making a mark in today’s competitive startup market is growing more and more difficult nowadays. This hyper-competitive environment has given rise to a number of new entrepreneurs, many of them being women.
Throughout history women have had to prove their capability to the world, and today’s world is no different. Women face a lot more challenges when it comes to starting a business than men, from looking after their families to handling societal pressure they face every obstacle like warriors. On this women’s day we have curated the stories of a few of such warriors of our country who crossed all the hurdles in their way to achieve what they have today.
We’re featuring Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs with their ideas and vision which will surely inspire you to do better in life.
1.Bhakti Mistry

Bhakti Mistry’s Bespoke Gifting Studio specializes in gift-wrapping for special occasions, aiming to create an unforgettable experience for gift recipients. Founded in 2018, Bhakti’s company offers a variety of gifts for events such as weddings, birthdays, and baby arrivals, among others.
Bhakti is passionate about making people feel special through her gift-wrapping abilities, and her goal is to spread joy and happiness worldwide by providing life-changing experiences. She takes pride in delivering exceptional goods and services to her clients, going above and beyond their expectations.
As an entrepreneur, Bhakti Mistry believes in continuous improvement and is grateful for her customers’ deep relationships and trust. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams.
Bespoke Gifting Studio is appreciative and blessed for everything that has occurred thus far, and Bhakti is excited to keep pushing herself to new heights.
2.Jinal Niser

Bling Thing Store, founded by Jinal Niser 1.5 years ago, is a fashion jewellery brand that offers a wide range of carefully selected, affordable jewellery for daily wear. Their products include classic designs such as the Wanderlust Necklace, Bling Drip Earrings, Runway Hoops, and Layered Chains, all with exceptional finishing.
Several celebrities, including Kriti Sanon, Jahanvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra and Sunny Leone, have been seen wearing and endorsing Bling Thing’s jewellery. The brand’s affiliation with the respected Femina Miss India 2022 platform, where all 30 contestants wore their jewellery for the semi-finals, was a significant accomplishment.
Before starting Bling Thing, Jinal Niser gained 14 years of corporate work experience, including marketing positions at major international corporations like Mattel Toys. Due to the pandemic and toy import regulations, her previous company had to shut down India operations and lay off 90% of its workforce. She then launched her line of designer jewellery to pursue her passion.
3.Gurmeen Shrivastav

Gurmeen Shrivastav, a Mumbai-based fashion designer, is creating sustainable Khadi clothes through her brand ‘Nayshaas Siyahi Sa Vastra’. Her new collection will be available in all sizes and ages, as she seeks to connect young Indians to their roots and culture. While most clothes are made in factories with minimal effort, Gurmeen is reaching out to people to try Indian-originated clothing, as traditional weavers are gradually being replaced by factories.
Gurmeen has decided to launch a collection towards “Organic Clothing and Sustainable Clothing” Her journey to introduce the modern aged millennials and GenZ is simple yet quite inspirational. “I have always been partial towards handloom clothing , and I really support those who are trying hard to build their own empire. These weavers have a great spirit to do something and so I decided to give them work and contribute my bit toward it”, said Gurmeen.
She believes that hand-loomed clothing represents India’s aged culture and traditions, and she wishes to maintain a connection to her roots. Despite taking longer to make than factory-made clothing, hand-loomed clothing, such as Khadi, is more sustainable and durable. Gurmeen’s brand has won hearts not only in India but also in various countries.
4.Aishwarya Kawle

Aishwarya Kawle is a self-made entrepreneur and founder of Whipsicles, a cosmetic brand that offers chemical-free skincare products. Despite limited financial resources, she manages the business with some help from her family. Communicating the brand’s environmentally friendly ethos to potential customers has been a challenge, but she perseveres in simplifying it so that people can understand the benefits.
Whipsicles’ products are priced higher than mass-produced alternatives due to their local production. Aishwarya acknowledges that reaching the correct audience is difficult, and marketing and advertising are not easy for small businesses like hers. Despite these challenges, she takes pride in the progress she has made and is inspired to continue. She believes that each day brings new difficulties, but this only adds to the value of her journey.
5.Devanshi Toshniwal

She is an inspiration to the young girls out there, as she hails from Rajasthan where becoming a businesswoman is still a taboo.
For years, people have been persuaded to drink processed juices from the market. That is, until Devanshi Toshniwal introduced OG juices and instigated faith in cold-pressed juices, reshaping many lives to have healthy lifestyles.
The turning point for her to resort to healthy food habits came in her early 20s, when she underwent a weight loss program. As a result, she realised she needed to change people’s drinking habits for their own good. Being from a family of entrepreneurs, she planned to start a company offering 100% natural juices free of added sugar, preservatives, flavours, or colours. Starting from cleaning fruits, cold pressing, bottling and labelling, and delivering with an ice pack, the company is one of a kind, offering high vitamin juices. Devanshi’s initiative brings to light how a simple thought process is changing the dynamics of women’s entrepreneurship for a better future in India.
6.Anuraddhaa Singh

Anuraddhaa Singh’s “Throne of Medusas” is a D2C clothing brand that sells high-quality, inclusively designed clothing for women worldwide. The brand’s mission is to empower women to embrace their femininity and reject societal stereotypes through bold, glamorous dresses that fit every body type. Throne of Medusas also prioritizes sustainability and affordability, offering clothes made to last at more affordable prices.
India’s fashion industry is rapidly growing, and Throne of Medusas aims to disrupt it with its distinctive designs and direct-to-consumer sales model. Anuraddhaa Singh chose the name “Throne of Medusas” as a tribute to the Greek Goddess Medusa, who symbolizes the exclusion of women under patriarchal norms.
Anuraddhaa Singh envisions her brand becoming “Bolder, Bigger, Better!” in the next five years, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and determination.
7.Aditi Bhosale Walunj

In 2017, Aditi Bhosale Walunj co-founded Repos Energy along with her husband Chetan Walunj with a vision with a vision to help the world move towards a carbon neutral future by bridging the gap between supply and demand of clean energy using latest tech enabled solutions.
Aditi Says, “I knew I was destined for something more profound, that my impact on the world could be profound, but I had yet to discover what my calling was.
Aditi’s boundless imagination and insatiable curiosity always push the limits of what is possible. The result is more efficient energy distribution and innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
Through her TEDx talks and keynote speeches at different IIMs and business schools. As well as mentoring young entrepreneurs, she represented India at a tech summit in Paris among 14 startups. The young woman inspired countless people to think differently about the world around them and to pursue their dreams with passion and purpose when she was in her twenties.
The creativity and unwavering commitment of Aditi Bhosale Walunj to energy innovation make her a force to be reckoned with. The possibilities are endless for what she will accomplish in the future.
8.Swapnil Chaturvedi

Swapnil Chaturvedi is the founder of a Tech company, www.sasone.in and partner in Timesascent.com
In order to address business issues, SASone produces elegant software tools. They’re on a mission to develop top-notch, straightforward business utility software that will support organisations as they adapt to shifting market conditions and technological advancements.
The Times of India, India’s most widely read national daily, features a weekly recruitment-focused part called Times Ascent on Wednesdays.
The publication reaches senior executives from many businesses, HR specialists, and both active and passive job searchers. The print publication and website are part of the brand.She was also featured in Women Entrepreneur India Magazine as Top 10 Indian Women Leaders from Asia. She is an epitome of successful businesswomen in India and strves to become better and inspire millions everyday.
9.Kitu Pahuja

Making a mark in today’s competitive startup market is growing more and more difficult nowadays. This hyper-competitive environment has given rise to a number of new entrepreneurs, many of them being women.
One woman that’s trying to make her company known to the world is Kitu Pahooja, the founder of Laviche. Kitu worked as a school teacher before embarking on her own entrepreneurship journey. It all started in 2017, where she was intrigued by a question that her son posed to her. It was about the topic of Saponification. This led Kitu down a rabbit hole with regards to soaps and other bath-related products. She decided to dedicate her life towards the study of Ayurveda and the benefits of natural herbs, plants and fruits on the human skin and hair. This led her to start a company with the aim to bring fun, hygienic, and nourishing soaps to people of all ages.
Laviche, which started with humble beginnings, now has a massive variety of hygiene products, ranging from the company’s signature artisanal soaps, made from 100% natural ingredients and pure natural oils, to a number of scrubs, bath salts, lotions, body butters, hair gels, and beard oils.
The company also places focus on kid-friendly soaps inspired by various everyday food items, with an emphasis on making children excited to keep themselves hygienic and clean.
Another feather in Laviche’s cap is collaborations with big names such Sony YAY!, a kids entertainment brand that’s popular with young children, where popular characters Honey Bunny are featured in a Dessert Soap combo. Laviche’s food-inspired soaps are also featured in India’s largest toy store, Hamley’s. The company has also been featured in popular press websites like NDTV Shopping, Media Infoline, Lifestyle Asia, Femina, APN News, Adgully, and IDiva.
10. Dr. Saundarya Rajesh

Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, the founder of Avtar, is a visionary leader who has created India’s first diversity advocate and workplace inclusion expert. Avtar is known for its work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly for women’s workforce participation, and is India’s largest provider of second career opportunities for women.
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh has led Avtar to venture into various areas of gender inclusion and career creation, including developing a comprehensive set of career enablers for companies, spearheading original research, creating India’s first diversity hiring portal, and building career intentionality among underprivileged girl children. She has won numerous awards for her work in diversity, including the Ministry of Women & Child Development’s #100Women Achiever Award and the Twitter #Web Wonder Women Award.
Under her leadership, Avtar conducts India’s largest gender analytics, the “Best Companies’ for Women in India,” and Corporate India’s largest Inclusion Index, the Working Mother & Avtar Most Inclusive Companies Index. Avtar’s interventions are based on primary research, and Dr. Saundarya Rajesh has personally trained and mentored over 10,000 leaders in the Indian corporate sector.
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Special Editions
Success Stories: Top 10 Physiotherapists Transforming Lives Across India
Published
18 hours agoon
September 3, 2026By
reporter
ndia’s physiotherapy landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by passionate professionals who are redefining recovery, mobility, and quality of life. From sports rehabilitation to neurological care and post-surgical recovery, these experts are not just treating conditions—they are restoring confidence and independence in countless lives.
This special edition, “Success Stories: Top 10 Physiotherapists Transforming Lives Across India,” celebrates the journeys of these inspiring healers whose dedication, innovation, and patient-centric approach continue to set new benchmarks in modern rehabilitation care.
Dr. Barkha Jasani, Physiotherapist, Founder – Lifetime Physio Care

Dr. Barkha Jasani is a physiotherapist and the founder of Lifetime Physio Care. With a passion for rehabilitation and holistic healing, she has dedicated her career to helping people recover stronger, move better, and lead healthier lives.
Born and raised in Rajkot, Gujarat, Dr. Jasani completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy from RK University. Ever since childhood, Mumbai had been a dream city for her, and that dream came true when she moved there for her internship at Brahma Kumaris’ Global Hospital & Research Centre, managing BSES M.G. Hospital. Soon after, she joined Qi Spine Clinic, where she discovered her passion for spine rehabilitation. Although she initially planned to pursue a master’s degree, family responsibilities took priority. What began as a job eventually became an eight-year journey of learning, growth, and transforming countless lives. After working independently as a freelance physiotherapist for the last two years, she went on to establish Lifetime Physio Care.
Interestingly, physiotherapy was not her original plan. Her mother and masi always wanted her to pursue healthcare, while her father strongly believed physiotherapy would be the right path. Looking back today, Dr. Jasani considers it one of life’s greatest blessings. What began as a decision guided by family eventually became her purpose.
Her greatest inspirations have been her godfather, mother, and masi, along with the unwavering support of her family and friends. Losing her mother was one of the most difficult chapters of her life, but the love and strength she received from those around her helped her overcome the loss and move forward with resilience.
As a woman, balancing professional aspirations with personal responsibilities has not always been easy. Yet, she believes that patience, perseverance, and self-belief make it possible to navigate even the toughest phases of life.
Beyond physiotherapy, Dr. Jasani enjoys dancing, singing, music, drawing, swimming, travelling, spending time in nature, and experimenting in the kitchen. She believes life should be enjoyed fully and that personal passions help maintain balance and happiness.
Her message to aspiring professionals is simple: give your work your heart, mind, and soul. Stay committed to the process, trust the journey, and focus on showing up consistently. Success, she believes, is built quietly through patience, hard work, and faith in oneself.
For Dr. Barkha Jasani, success is not a destination but a continuous journey of growth. Every challenge has made her stronger, every experience has taught her valuable lessons, and every patient she helps reinforces her purpose. Above all, she believes in staying grounded, enjoying the journey, and never losing faith in oneself.
Special Editions
Change Makers: Celebrating the Success Stories of 10 Iconic Women Achievers
Published
1 day agoon
September 2, 2026By
reporter
In a world that’s constantly evolving, these 10 inspiring women are leading the charge, breaking barriers, and redefining success on their own terms. From business and innovation to social impact and leadership, they represent the spirit of modern Indian womanhood—fearless, visionary, and unstoppable.
As part of our special 2026 edition, Mumbai Uncensored proudly honours these remarkable achievers whose journeys inspire a generation and embody the true essence of Nari Shakti.
Namita Thapar, Executive Director – Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is a renowned Indian entrepreneur celebrated for her impactful contributions to the healthcare sector. Her notable appearance on Shark Tank India has further cemented her status as an inspiring figure for budding entrepreneurs.
Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Namita Thapar belongs to a Gujarati family. Despite her affluent background, she has diligently carved a successful career path. Her academic journey includes a commerce degree from Pune University, a Chartered Accountancy degree from ICAI, and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Namita began her professional journey as the Business Finance Lead at Guidant Corporation in the US. After gaining valuable experience, she joined her father’s company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, as the CFO in 2007.
Under her leadership, Emcure Pharmaceuticals has seen remarkable growth, expanding its presence to 70 countries.
Smita Ahuja, Talent strategist

Smita Ahuja represents a rare balance of style, intelligence, and substance. Moving seamlessly between strategic leadership and a vibrant personal life, she brings both instinct and precision to everything she does. As a talent strategist working across APAC, she plays a key role in shaping hiring ecosystems and integrating AI-driven frameworks into modern recruitment.
Her journey began in agency recruitment within the oil and gas sector, a field she entered without prior knowledge. Despite the steep learning curve, she quickly rose to become a top performer. That phase shaped her core belief: success is not about knowing everything at the start, but about learning faster than anyone else.
Over time, her role evolved beyond recruitment. She began training teams, building systems, and eventually designing AI-led frameworks to help recruiters stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Working across diverse markets like India, Japan, Australia, and Singapore, she developed a strong ability to navigate cultural nuances and connect insights across regions.
One defining moment in her career involved mentoring a candidate who lacked confidence despite strong potential. With guidance and encouragement, the candidate secured a role at nearly three times her previous compensation. More importantly, she gained belief in her own worth. Moments like these define Smita’s idea of impact.
As a woman in leadership, she has navigated expectations and challenges with clarity and resilience. She believes in setting boundaries, staying authentic, and choosing growth over validation.
Outside work, she embraces fashion, travel, food, and learning as essential parts of life. For her, success is not static. It evolves with experience, impact, and personal growth.
Swheta Mutreja Aggarwal, Founder – @kookie_cake_crumble

Swheta Mutreja Aggarwal is a baker and chef whose journey is deeply rooted in passion, memory, and purpose. As the founder of @kookie_cake_crumble, she has transformed her love for baking into a growing brand built on authenticity, creativity, and continuous learning.
Her inspiration comes from her father, who played a defining role in shaping her relationship with food. Growing up, the kitchen was her happiest space. Watching her father cook fresh meals for the family every evening instilled in her not just skills, but a deep emotional connection with cooking. What began as admiration slowly evolved into a calling.
Although she completed a diploma from Sophia’s School of Polytechnic nearly two decades ago, she did not initially pursue baking professionally. It was only just before the lockdown that she chose to return to her passion, enrolling at the School for European Pastry to refine her skills through an eggless baking course. The lockdown, while challenging for many, became a turning point for her—allowing her brand to take shape and grow steadily.
Swheta strongly believes in lifelong learning. Her culinary journey has taken her across the world, learning authentic cuisines from their roots—Sri Lankan cuisine from Bentota and Colombo, Thai from Pattaya, Italian from Venice, ramen from Sydney, and regional Indian cuisines from Srinagar and Pahalgam. Each experience has added depth and diversity to her craft.
Today, alongside running her baking venture, she is also a food consultant, working with catering businesses and helping brands grow. Her professional journey is further strengthened by nearly three decades of experience in PR and marketing, which has enabled her to understand branding and business growth from a strategic perspective.
Her journey, however, has not been without challenges. As a woman, she has often faced discouragement and limiting beliefs—being told to remain confined to working from home or doubted for her ability to build something larger. There were moments of self-doubt, but she chose to rise above them, driven by her father’s belief in her and her own determination to fulfil that dream.
Beyond her professional life, she is a devoted mother to two children and shares her home with a beloved pet. She has also been actively involved in school initiatives as part of the PTA, reflecting her commitment beyond her career.
Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple and heartfelt: pursue what you truly love, give it your full dedication, and trust the process.
Interestingly, her entrepreneurial spirit began early at just 16, she was already supplying cookies to Akbarallys and later to Rashmi Uday Singh’s store at Crossroads, marking the beginning of a journey that would come full circle years later.
Elisha Rajpal, Magician & Young Social Activist

For Mumbai-based student Elisha Rajpal, a personal hobby has always been a vehicle for social good. Her journey as a changemaker began at the young age of 12 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Turning a personal skill into a public fundraising initiative, she taught peers to solve the Rubik’s Cube, collecting donations directed entirely toward cancer charities. The viral effort caught widespread media attention, earning her nationwide coverage on ABP News.
Since then, Elisha has traded her Rubik’s Cube for a deck of cards, using magic as her primary tool to drive community impact. Her performances have taken her across diverse platforms. She regularly volunteers at local government schools, leveraging interactive magic to teach foundational logic to underserved children. Beyond the classroom, her talent has brought her to major high-profile events, where she performs live sets to anchor fundraisers for premier organisations like the Helping Hands Foundation.
Elisha has even taken her magic to care centres, hosting specialized events for mentally challenged children. Navigating a room with such heavy cognitive and behavioral differences is incredibly difficult, yet her unique power and gift lie in her ability to connect deeply with people in need, giving them her undivided time and empathy.
Now, Elisha is taking her mission global. Through her newly launched Instagram handle, she is shifting the spotlight from personal applause to collective action. She utilizes her digital platform to teach an international audience how to weaponize their own unique hobbies to champion critical human causes like women’s rights, child safety, and educational equity.
Elisha serves as living proof that individual passions can be selflessly deployed to create systemic change. She is leading a new generation of youth leadership—proving that the real magic lies in making the world a better place.
Meera Chalke, Wedding Photographer, Founder – Picture It by Meera

Meera Chalke is a wedding photographer and the founder of Picture It by Meera, a Mumbai based wedding photography brand known for capturing honest emotions and timeless stories through a deeply personal lens. Over the last decade, she has documented weddings across India as well as internationally in destinations such as the US, Canada, Europe, the UK, and Indonesia.
Her journey into photography began during her sister’s wedding in 2011, when she found herself drawn not just to the celebrations, but to the emotions quietly unfolding within them. Coming from a creative background with a B.Sc. in Animation and specialization in VFX, she naturally developed a strong sense of visual storytelling and artistic perspective.
In 2013, she co-founded a wedding photography company, where she learned the foundations of both photography and entrepreneurship. From handling clients to building systems and understanding the realities of running a business, those years became an important phase of growth. However, life took an unexpected turn after her separation in 2017. Instead of stepping away, she chose to rebuild herself and start again with clarity and resilience. That fresh beginning eventually became Picture It by Meera, a brand built entirely on courage, consistency, and self-belief.
Through years of dedication and genuine human connection, her work gradually evolved into a trusted name in the wedding industry. Beyond photography, Meera enjoys learning about entrepreneurship, mindful living, sustainability, and travelling. Observing people, cultures, and emotions continues to shape her creative process and storytelling style.
She believes one of the biggest strengths an entrepreneur can develop is the ability to solve problems with empathy and resourcefulness. According to her, skills can always be learned, but the ability to make life easier for others leaves a lasting impact.
For Meera, success is not just about building a business. It is about discovering strength through the process. What began as a career slowly became a journey of rebuilding herself, and in chasing her dreams, she ultimately found a stronger version of who she is.
Dr. Manjula Thakur, MD Dermatologist

Dr. Manjula Thakur is an MBBS doctor and MD Dermatologist currently practicing in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Alongside her clinical practice, she actively conducts weekly health camps in the rural areas of Bastar, where access to healthcare services remains limited. Her approach to medicine is deeply rooted in compassion, with a strong belief in treating one patient at a time while making healthcare more accessible to underserved communities.
Coming from a middle class family, Dr. Thakur always dreamed of becoming a doctor. She is the first generation doctor in her family, driven by a desire to serve society and create meaningful impact through healthcare. In a family and community where girls often get married in their early twenties, her parents stood firmly by her dreams and supported her education and ambitions wholeheartedly. She believes she is where she is today because of their love, sacrifices, and unwavering encouragement.
Her academic journey reflects dedication and perseverance. She cracked NEET in 2013 and completed her MBBS from Government Medical College, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Later, she successfully cleared NEET PG in 2022 and pursued her MD in Dermatology from Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur. Today, she serves as a Senior Resident at her alma mater, Government Medical College Jagdalpur, giving back to the same institution that shaped her journey.
Her greatest inspiration comes from her family and her fiancé, who is an ophthalmologist. Their sacrifices, values, support, and resilience continue to motivate her personally and professionally.
As a woman in healthcare, balancing academics, high patient loads, emotional pressure, and personal responsibilities has not always been easy. However, these experiences helped her grow into a stronger, more resilient clinician and gave her a deeper perspective on life and patient care.
Beyond her profession, Dr. Thakur enjoys maintaining a healthy lifestyle, travelling, playing badminton, and exploring new cuisines and places. She has also contributed academically by publishing research papers in international journals and delivering talks at national and state level conferences.
She believes that being a dermatologist in India comes with its own challenges, especially in educating patients against misinformation spread by unqualified practitioners and misleading social media trends. Through her work, she aims to create awareness and ensure patients receive ethical, evidence based treatment and guidance.
For Dr. Manjula Thakur, success is not defined by status or achievements alone. She believes true success lies in health, peace of mind, and the ability to make a positive difference in society. Treating patients and serving communities keeps her grounded, grateful, and deeply connected to her purpose.
Special Editions
The Power List : Top 26 Indian Entrepreneurs Defining The Future in 2026
Published
2 days agoon
September 2, 2026By
reporter
In a dynamic era of entrepreneurial innovation, Mumbai Uncensored proudly unveils ‘The Power List: Top 26 Indian Entrepreneurs Defining the Future!‘ This exclusive feature shines a spotlight on visionary minds reshaping India’s business landscape and setting new standards of success.
From disruptive startups to established enterprises, these 26 entrepreneurs exemplify the spirit of innovation, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership. Join us as we delve into the journeys of these trailblazers who are not just shaping industries but also shaping the future of entrepreneurship in India.
Nikhil Kamath – Founder – Zerodha

Nikhil Kamath is the co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, an online stock brokerage firm that’s reshaping the way people invest in India. Zerodha’s user-friendly platform has democratized investing, making it accessible to individuals across income levels. Kamath’s dedication to leveraging technology for accessible investing and his advocacy for financial literacy has been instrumental in making investing more efficient and accessible for the youngest entrepreneurs in India in 2024.
Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is a renowned Indian entrepreneur celebrated for her impactful contributions to the healthcare sector. Her notable appearance on Shark Tank India has further cemented her status as an inspiring figure for budding entrepreneurs.
Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Namita Thapar belongs to a Gujarati family. Despite her affluent background, she has diligently carved a successful career path. Her academic journey includes a commerce degree from Pune University, a Chartered Accountancy degree from ICAI, and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Namita began her professional journey as the Business Finance Lead at Guidant Corporation in the US. After gaining valuable experience, she joined her father’s company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, as the CFO in 2007.
Under her leadership, Emcure Pharmaceuticals has seen remarkable growth, expanding its presence to 70 countries. In FY21, the company reported a profit of Rs. 418 crore on a revenue of Rs. 6091 crore, showcasing Namita Thapar’s pivotal role in its success.
Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth

Ghazal Alagh, an accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder of Mamaearth, spearheads India’s natural skincare movement. Her entrepreneurial journey was ignited by a personal quest for safe products for her son, propelling Mamaearth into a household name and recently into the public market. Ghazal’s story is a testament to transforming personal challenges into business triumphs, making her a guiding light for aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide. Her commitment to sustainability and toxin-free products has set a new standard in the beauty industry, earning Mamaearth widespread acclaim.
Digvijay Thakur, Founder – Laxmibai Enterprises

Digvijay Thakur is an entrepreneur and the founder of Laxmibai Enterprises, a technology solutions company specialising in CCTV surveillance, security systems and home automation. A Computer Engineering graduate, he chose to take the entrepreneurial route at just 22, driven by the belief that real-world responsibility can offer lessons that no classroom can replicate.
His entry into the security technology sector was shaped by both his technical background and his interest in an industry with strong growth potential. Rather than following a conventional career path, Digvijay wanted to build something of his own and learn by taking on the realities of running a business—from customers and suppliers to finances, projects and decision-making. This conviction led to the launch of Laxmibai Enterprises in July 2024.
Building the company from scratch has given him hands-on experience across virtually every aspect of the business. From product sourcing and vendor negotiations to sales, project execution, installation and after-sales support, he has been closely involved in building the company’s operations. What began as a young entrepreneur’s decision to take a different path has grown into a business that has generated more than ₹2.5 crore in revenue while remaining loss-free since inception.
The company has undertaken projects across educational institutions, factories and new construction developments, providing end-to-end security and technology solutions. One of its largest projects involved installing security systems across 600 units, requiring extensive planning, procurement, coordination and execution. Alongside this growth, Digvijay has focused on building a dedicated team covering sales, procurement, project execution, installation and customer support.
His journey has not been without challenges. Coming from a non-business family and without long-term mentors, he had to learn many aspects of entrepreneurship independently. His age was sometimes a hurdle when dealing with prospective clients and business partners, but he chose to overcome those perceptions through confidence, consistency and results. Even after graduating with a 9.6 CGPA, his decision to pursue entrepreneurship was viewed by some as risky or unconventional. He remained committed to his own vision.
One particularly difficult period came when he experienced an entire month without a single new sale. Rather than treating it as failure, he used the experience to refine his sales approach, improve his pitches and remain persistent. His consistency soon paid off when he secured one of his biggest clients.
Beyond business, Digvijay believes in giving back to the community. He has contributed to initiatives with the Kartavya Animal and Social Welfare Society and participated in marathons supporting social causes. Fitness also plays an important role in his life, teaching him discipline and consistency while helping him maintain balance.
His message to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: do not wait until you feel completely ready. Experience is often created by starting, making mistakes, learning, adapting and continuing forward. Age should not be viewed as a limitation—it can be the starting point.
For Digvijay, success is not simply measured by revenue. He believes sustainable, financially disciplined growth, genuine customer value and long-term relationships are equally important. By focusing on transparency, fulfilling commitments, consistent after-sales support and earning trust, he has built a business driven not merely by transactions but by referrals, repeat clients and lasting relationships. For him, the journey is proof that a young entrepreneur can build something meaningful by combining technical knowledge with courage, discipline and an unwavering willingness to learn.
Karan Bhatty, Founder, Millow

Karan Bhatty is the Founder of Millow.io, a technology-led background verification and risk intelligence company focused on helping organizations make faster, more informed and trust-driven business decisions. With expertise spanning employee background verification, due diligence, HR risk mitigation and technology-enabled trust solutions, Karan is focused on transforming how companies approach hiring, leadership assessment and business risk evaluation.
As the driving force behind Millow, Karan leads the company’s strategic direction across product innovation, client partnerships, growth initiatives and risk framework design. Under his leadership, Millow has evolved beyond traditional background verification models into a modern trust and risk-intelligence partner for India’s rapidly changing workforce ecosystem.
Karan is particularly focused on advancing Millow’s Automated Background Verification (BGV) capabilities, designed to reduce conventional verification timelines from several weeks to under 12 hours while maintaining accuracy, process visibility and structured reporting. He is also leading the expansion of specialized solutions including Senior Management Due Diligence (SMDD) and Integrity Due Diligence (IDD), helping businesses, investors and leadership teams make better decisions around executive appointments, founder credibility and organizational risk.
His expertise includes automated verification workflows, risk-based screening, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) investigations, senior leadership due diligence, phygital verification operations and trust-focused business strategy.
Karan believes that trust has become a critical business differentiator in today’s environment. His approach combines technology, AI-assisted workflows, direct-source intelligence and human analytical review to create verification systems that are faster, more transparent and more actionable.
He regularly shares perspectives on workforce trends, secure hiring, compliance, due diligence and the evolving relationship between people risk and business risk. His leadership philosophy is guided by trust, transparency, operational discipline and responsible innovation.
Karan’s long-term vision is to establish Millow.io as one of India’s most trusted platforms for automated background verification and risk intelligence, helping organizations verify employees, leaders, vendors and strategic stakeholders with speed, clarity and confidence.
Arjun Shetty, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Cricket Coach, Entrepreneur, Founder – Ace with Arjun

Arjun Shetty is a Strength & Conditioning Coach, Cricket Coach, entrepreneur, and the founder of Ace with Arjun and Hybrid Headquarters. Based in Thane, Mumbai, he has built a growing fitness and sports coaching ecosystem focused on performance, discipline, and long term transformation. Over the years, his journey has evolved from being a passionate cricketer to building a global online fitness business that now impacts clients and athletes across multiple countries.
Sports have always been central to his life. He began playing cricket at the age of 13, where discipline, punctuality, consistency, and respect for the game became deeply ingrained in him through years of training and competition. Cricket was his first passion, but alongside the sport, he also developed a strong interest in fitness and athletic performance.
His professional journey combines both cricket and strength training. Arjun has played competitive cricket at a high level, including List A cricket in Sri Lanka, Mumbai’s reputed A Division cricket, Kanga League A Division, and Times Shield tournaments. Along the way, he had the opportunity to play alongside and against well known cricketers such as Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and Shivam Dube.
Nearly nine years ago, he began coaching people in fitness, initially starting with close friends before gradually expanding into online coaching after the COVID period. What started with a single client eventually grew into a large scale coaching business. Today, he has trained more than 1000 fitness clients and mentored over 100 athletes as a high performance coach. His team has also expanded to around 18 trainers working under his guidance.
Recently, he launched Hybrid Headquarters in Thane with the vision of building a stronger and more sustainable fitness culture in the city. More than just a gym, the idea behind Hybrid Headquarters is to create a community driven environment where people can train with purpose, discipline, and consistency. Through this initiative, he is actively working towards changing the way fitness is approached in Thane by combining athletic performance, structured coaching, and long term lifestyle transformation.
Beyond physical transformation, he believes in creating opportunities for young trainers and aspiring fitness professionals. Through his businesses, he has helped generate careers, employment, and work from home opportunities for many young coaches.
For Arjun Shetty, success is not defined only by money or achievements. It is about consistency, impact, discipline, and building a community that grows together.
Dr. Aqeel Sajjad Reshamvala, Specialised dentist & prosthodontist

Dr. Aqeel Sajjad Reshamvala is a specialised dentist and prosthodontist whose journey into healthcare was shaped by deep personal inspiration. Growing up, he admired the respect his mother received as a doctor and the lives she transformed through her work. That admiration planted the dream of having “Dr.” before his own name. Although he narrowly missed an MBBS seat by a single percentage point, destiny led him to dentistry—an opportunity he embraced wholeheartedly.
That one percent difference secured him a government quota seat at DY Patil University, where he completed his BDS. His perspective on dentistry expanded dramatically during his MDS at the University of Queensland, Australia, an experience that reshaped how he approached clinical challenges and strengthened his commitment to patient care. What began as a redirected ambition evolved into a fulfilling profession, and the rest, as he says, is history.
Throughout his journey, Dr. Reshamvala has been driven by a desire to fulfill his parents’ dream of seeing him succeed. Their willingness to invest their life’s savings into his education remains his greatest source of motivation and gratitude.
Beyond his clinical practice, he finds balance and creativity through sketching, music, and dancing—activities that help him unwind and stay grounded.
His message to aspiring professionals is simple yet powerful: never give up on your dreams. Even when the path shifts or obstacles arise, there is always light at the end of the tunnel—waiting to shine on those who persist.
Dr. Reshamvala credits his education in Australia for broadening his mindset, teaching him to think beyond conventional methods, and approach every case with innovation and precision. His ultimate goal remains clear: to provide his patients with functional, aesthetic smiles that enhance both confidence and quality of life.
Kunal Chalke – Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sports Performance Coach, fitness entrepreneur, Founder of Kraft With Kunal (KWK)

Kunal Chalke is a Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sports Performance Coach, fitness entrepreneur, and founder of Kraft With Kunal (KWK), a fitness and performance coaching brand focused on helping people build healthier lifestyles, greater confidence, and long-term sustainable habits.
Certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), and the Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS), Kunal has coached more than 500 individuals globally, helping them transform not only physically but also mentally through fitness and lifestyle change.
Before entering the fitness industry, Kunal had a successful cricketing career, representing Mumbai at the state level in the Under-16 and Under-23 categories. He also represented Mumbai University at the national level for three consecutive years, played A Division cricket for six years, and was the highest run-scorer in the prestigious Kanga League A Division.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Kunal transformed his own physique through disciplined training and nutrition while sharing his journey on YouTube and Instagram. His transformation inspired many young individuals to prioritize their health and fitness, eventually leading to the creation of Kraft With Kunal.
Committed to leading by example, Kunal has competed in Men’s Physique events, denim modeling competitions, and HYROX fitness races. He has also spent the last three years building a Hybrid Sports Performance Gym dedicated to helping athletes and fitness enthusiasts improve strength, conditioning, and overall performance.
Despite transitioning into entrepreneurship, cricket remains a lifelong passion, and he continues to actively play the sport. The discipline, leadership, and resilience he developed through cricket continue to influence his approach to coaching and business.
Today, Kunal’s mission extends far beyond physical transformation. Through Kraft With Kunal, he aims to inspire people to become healthier, stronger, more confident, and more disciplined versions of themselves while creating a lasting impact on lives through fitness, education, and personal growth.
Dr. Richa Gupta (PT), Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Founder – AlignBody Physiotherapy Clinic

Dr. Richa Gupta (PT) is a physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, and the founder of AlignBody Physiotherapy Clinic, a rapidly growing healthcare brand focused on restoring movement, relieving pain, and improving quality of life. Through a patient centered and evidence based approach, her clinics offer physiotherapy, chiropractic, and osteopathy services designed to deliver long term recovery and performance enhancement.
What makes AlignBody stand out is its integration of innovation with clinical expertise. The clinic is among the few in India using an AI powered diagnostic tool called Align360, which enables posture screening directly through a mobile device. This technology allows faster and more accurate posture assessments while helping create personalized treatment plans. Her mission through AlignBody is clear: transforming pain into performance.
Dr. Richa’s journey is rooted in resilience and determination. Married at a young age and becoming a mother early in life, she balanced family responsibilities while continuing her education and building her professional identity. She started treating patients from a small setup at home, earning just ₹5000 a month, relying entirely on trust, consistency, and genuine patient care.
Over the years, that small beginning evolved into multiple successful clinics serving a wide range of patients, including professionals, senior citizens, embassy clients, and high net worth individuals. Recognizing the future potential of technology enabled healthcare, she developed Align360 and is now expanding AlignBody through a Pan India franchise model.
Beyond her clinical work, she actively mentors physiotherapy professionals and helps them develop strong clinical and patient management skills. Dancing remains a personal passion that keeps her creative and energized.
Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: start with what you have, stay consistent, and focus on solving real problems. For Dr. Richa Gupta, success is not about overnight growth but about resilience, discipline, and creating meaningful impact through better healthcare.
Aishwarya Jain, Founder – I’m Happiness

Aishwarya Jain works at the intersection of impact, sustainability, and well-being, with I’m Happiness at the core of her professional journey. She is a builder of systems and experiences that enhance quality of life, economically, socially, and emotionally. Through her work, she focuses on cognitive growth, mental well-being, and human-centric development, while also engaging with ESG-led and impact-driven initiatives across food waste management, wellness ecosystems, and sustainable hospitality.
I’m Happiness is a research-led well-being platform and community founded by Aishwarya to make inner well-being practical, measurable, and accessible. The platform works on mental fitness, emotional intelligence, and life skills, translating personal awareness into real-world outcomes such as stronger individuals, healthier institutions, and more conscious systems. Its approach blends psychology, neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and lived experience, ensuring that well-being is not abstract but deeply applicable.
Aishwarya’s professional journey began with a strong educational foundation and early exposure to scale and execution in the food FMCG sector. She played a key role in building and scaling operations from inception into a ₹100 crore enterprise. This experience sharpened her understanding of discipline, systems, and excellence at scale. Over time, however, growth for its own sake began to feel incomplete. This prompted a deeper inquiry into human behaviour, resilience, and the long-term impact of business on people and society.
As her perspective evolved, Aishwarya moved into food waste management, ESG, and impact-led ventures. She collaborated with institutions and global frameworks aligned with the United Nations and UNICEF, and engaged with academic ecosystems such as IIM Ahmedabad. From this convergence of business, culture, and consciousness emerged I’m Happiness as a structured, purpose-led platform.
Through her work, Aishwarya has engaged with children, parents, educators, caregivers, and organisations to strengthen emotional resilience and cognitive fitness. Today, her work also sits at the confluence of luxury, spirituality, and culture. Through her foundation, she curates experiential education platforms that blend ancient wisdom with contemporary insight, designed for discerning audiences who value depth, meaning, and conscious living.
Inspired by Indian philosophy, Aishwarya draws guidance from principles embodied by Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, and Maa Kali, representing balance, stillness, integrity, intellect, and courageous transformation. As a woman in strategy- and impact-led spaces, she has navigated challenges by choosing consistency over visibility and quality over urgency.
Outside work, Aishwarya prioritises fitness and running, explores music, researches ancient wisdom, and values meaningful conversations. She acknowledges the encouragement of cultural and business leaders who believe in purpose-driven excellence and cultural stewardship. At its heart, her work is about helping people live every emotion fully, consciously, and without resistance.
Anant Khandelwal, Founder & Director of IWP – Indian Wedding Planners

Anant Khandelwal is the Founder & Director of IWP – Indian Wedding Planners, the flagship of AMK Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., and one of the most recognisable names in India’s luxury wedding and hospitality space.
He started IWP with a simple belief: a wedding shouldn’t feel “managed.” It should feel experienced—beautifully, smoothly, emotionally. Over the years, that belief has grown into a design-led, process-driven brand trusted for immersive destination weddings across India and select international locations.
What sets Anant apart is the balance he brings to every celebration: the romance of storytelling with the discipline of execution. From the first concept deck to the final farewell, every detail is planned with intention—so traditions are honoured, emotions are protected, and families feel fully present instead of overwhelmed. Under his leadership, IWP has become synonymous with heartfelt celebrations that look extraordinary and run even better.
Anant’s journey is built on high standards and hard lessons—tight timelines, complex logistics, demanding environments. Each challenge shaped a sharper approach: calmer teams, stronger systems, and a dependable vendor ecosystem that delivers with consistency, wherever the celebration is set.
That same mindset—creativity backed by structure—led him to expand beyond weddings. Through AMK Travels, he curates premium travel and guest experiences. Through Aishka Cares, a social impact trust focused on women’s empowerment, skills training, and education, he translates success into purpose—because he believes hospitality is also about upliftment.
At the core of Anant’s philosophy is one guiding principle: weddings are deeply personal.
“Our role,” he says, “is to make them seamless, immersive, and emotionally resonant.”
For Anant Khandelwal, IWP is more than a company. It is a promise—of taste, of service, of reliability, and of memories that stay long after the music fades. With a growing team and an ever-expanding vision, he continues to raise the bar for hospitality-led luxury celebrations.
Ashwit Khullar, Partner – Vintek Medical Corporation

Ashwit Khullar is a Partner at Vintek Medical Corporation, a company focused on transforming healthcare training in India through advanced medical simulation technologies. His work centers around introducing globally benchmarked simulation systems that allow clinicians, surgeons, and healthcare professionals to train in structured, hands on environments designed to improve clinical skills, build confidence, and enhance patient safety.
Coming from a family deeply connected to healthcare, Ashwit was exposed early to the realities and challenges of medical education. Over time, he realized that many medical errors stem not from lack of knowledge, but from the absence of practical, simulation based training. At a time when simulation learning was still relatively unfamiliar in India, he identified a significant gap between global healthcare training standards and the systems available locally. That realization became the foundation for building and scaling medical simulation infrastructure across the Indian healthcare ecosystem.
His journey in the field spans more than a decade. In the early years, creating awareness around simulation based learning was a major challenge. Convincing institutions to adopt newer methods of training and helping stakeholders understand the long term value of competency based education required patience, persistence, and continuous effort. Today, seeing hospitals and medical colleges actively invest in advanced skill labs and simulation centers is deeply rewarding for him.
Despite the progress, Ashwit believes there is still a long way to go. Simulation training is not yet compulsory across many areas of healthcare education in India, and creating a more structured ecosystem remains one of his biggest goals.
Beyond healthcare, he is also actively involved in supporting his wife’s fashion label, Arpita Sulakshana, while maintaining a strong interest in hospitality, travel, and lifestyle ventures.
His message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: think long term and stay patient. Meaningful success is built through consistency, adaptability, and relentless execution over time.
For Ashwit Khullar, success is not defined by quick milestones, but by creating meaningful and lasting impact. Being part of the growth of medical simulation in India and contributing to safer healthcare training continues to be one of the most fulfilling aspects of his journey.
MarkXperia, Founder – Pratishtha Pabuwal, Co-Founders – Pulkit Agarwal & Vidushi Sharma

MarkXperia is more than a name—it is an experience where ideas meet execution and brands learn how to be felt, not just seen. Founded by Pratishtha Pabuwal, with Pulkit Agarwal and Vidushi Sharma as Co-Founders, MarkXperia is a creative marketing and brand storytelling company built for brands that want depth, not noise.
At its core, MarkXperia doesn’t sell posts or ads. It builds perception, voice, and recall. The team believes that marketing isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about speaking with clarity, intention, and relevance. Every campaign is designed to create connection, not just visibility.
The company was born out of frustration—frustration with repetitive strategies, surface-level marketing, and brands chasing trends instead of meaning. MarkXperia was created to challenge that norm. The founders knew there had to be a better way, and instead of waiting for it, they built it themselves.
The journey so far has been anything but linear. It’s been messy, sleepless, exciting, and deeply rewarding. From pitching ideas that were initially misunderstood to watching those very ideas turn into successful campaigns, MarkXperia has grown by trusting creativity—always backed by clarity and strategy. Every challenge refined their process and strengthened their belief that storytelling is not fluff, but a powerful business tool.
Their inspiration comes from brands that dare to be different and from people who build quietly but leave a loud impact. One of their biggest challenges has been helping clients understand that storytelling is strategy—not decoration. Once results speak, however, that skepticism quickly turns into belief.
Beyond client work, the team lives and breathes creativity. They observe relentlessly, dissect visuals frame by frame, debate ideas over dinner, and constantly ask one question: How can this be better? This curiosity fuels everything they create.
MarkXperia’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: don’t chase trends—build a voice. Skills matter, but conviction matters more. Be prepared to be misunderstood before you’re celebrated, because originality often needs time to be recognised.
As for success, the team believes their story is still being written. And if there’s one thing they’re certain of—it’s that they’re just getting started.
Rishi Nanda, Learning and Development professional

Rishi Nanda is a Learning and Development professional who has carved a unique space in leadership training by decoding timeless wisdom from Indian epics for the modern world. He specialises in experiential trainings based on the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita, and is also the Co-Founder of “Nibhish – The Epic Game”, a range of card and board games inspired by Indian epics.
His journey began in 2011 with the birth of his daughter, Kiara. Holding her for the first time sparked a question that changed his life: “What do I give my child beyond money?” Seeking an answer, Rishi made a bold decision—he quit his corporate job to rediscover his own dreams, despite financial uncertainty and personal fear. What followed was one of the toughest phases of his life, marked by emotional isolation, self-doubt, and immense struggle. Yet one belief kept him going: “Amrit zeher ke baad hi milta hai.”
A turning point came when Rishi immersed himself in Indian scriptures, dedicating years to studying the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Gradually, clarity emerged. He realised that concepts taught through modern management tools already existed in these epics—explained not through frameworks, but through stories. Along with his wife, Mehak Mahajan Nanda, he began designing leadership modules that linked epic narratives to real-life organisational challenges.
After years of rejection, Rishi delivered his first epic-based corporate session in 2017. Since then, his work has expanded exponentially. Today, over 80% of his work is centred on Indian epics, with deliveries across corporates, educational institutions, NGOs, families, and global platforms.
Over the last 11 years, Rishi has facilitated 3,000+ workshops, reached 1,00,000+ participants, worked across 25+ industries, 300+ corporates, 100+ Indian cities, and 15+ countries. He is a Karamveer Chakra (UN-recognised) awardee, author, inter-faith speaker, podcaster, television host, and keynote speaker.
For Rishi Nanda, success is not accidental—it is scripted through clarity of purpose, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. He believes every individual is the central character of their own story—and must dare to write it.
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Gargi
March 8, 2023 at 7:00 am
Beautiful,empowered Indian women,Best wishes on your onward journey💐💐
Girija Pillay
March 8, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Congratulations to all young entrepreneurs who made a name for themselves in this competitive world . Keep it up n inspire many more.