Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs in India Who Will Inspire You in 2023

Nomita Jeswani, Mumbai Uncensored, 1st November 2023:

From the time when women weren’t even allowed to step out of the house and were just expected to take care of their house and family to the time now when women have started building their own businesses and achieved great heights, India has progressed a lot. 

Today, women have made their mark in every industry, and they continue to expand with each passing day. They managed everything like warriors, even though breaking through all the taboos and patriarchy and coming forward was not an easy journey. They fought, they fell but never stopped and now are soaring in beautiful colours.

If you also want to start up something new but still lack the motivation, here is a list of such Women Entrepreneurs in India who will inspire you in 2023. Check it out!

• Janvi & Helly Jogatar

Janvi and Helly Jogatar are two sisters who came together to create TIESTA, a unique footwear company that believes in the power of customization. Helly, a seasoned fashion consultant brings her expertise to the table when it comes to creating stunning designs and improving the customer experience. Meanwhile, Janvi, who has a specialization in shoe design from FDDI, is responsible for the brand’s marketing, collaborations, and PR.

At TIESTA, they believe that no one size fits all. They specialize in creating luxury women’s footwear that is customized to fit perfectly. From Euro 32 to Euro 46, we cater to all sizes and types of feet, including those with broad, narrow, arch, flat, or LLD issues. Their customization options are endless, making it easy for customers without sacrificing comfort or quality.

With a full in-house staff of designers and producers, they have the assurance to create and deliver the most ideal and comfortable shoes. Also, they are a vegan, PETA-approved business that is committed to maintaining India’s long-standing legacy of shoemaking while also giving their craftsmen access to health benefits and a wonderful working environment.

Their brand’s overarching theme is MOVE YOUR WAY | MOVE WITH TIESTA. They recognize that everyone is different and has unique needs and believe that there is a certain freedom in embracing that diversity without making any compromises. 

• Nidhi Shah

Nidhi Shah who was a teacher in an IB school went on a hunt for the perfect school for her six-year-old daughter, Amyra. However, the more schools she visited, the more uneasy she became about sending her to a guided and instructed environment. She feared that her unique interests and passions would not be nurtured and that she would be forced to adhere to a strict curriculum that might not cater to her learning style. she didn’t want her to lose her freedom to explore and experiment and worried that her pace of learning wouldn’t be respected.

So, she and her husband made the unconventional decision to embrace unschooling or self-led learning. They didn’t want to force our daughter into a conventional system that didn’t prioritize her individuality. Instead, they allowed her to learn at her own pace, follow her interests, and explore the world around her organically.

Their learning journey took them to off-grid places, where they learned about farming, waste management, and simple living from various tribes. They also explored different subjects like math, science, Hindi, art, and more, without a fixed curriculum or routine. They found that trusting the process and respecting our daughter’s pace has been the key to her learning success.

They faced criticism from those who do not understand their approach to learning. But they believed that their role as parents is to provide a safe and loving environment that allows their daughter to grow and learn in her unique way.

Overall, they are happy and content with the journey and hope to continue to support and nurture their daughter’s interests and passions, as she continues to grow and learn in her own way.

• Shruti Verma

Shruti Verma, the Group CEO & Co-Founder of Skoodos & Skoodos Ventures, Spherion Solutions Private Limited & SELIN Club, boasts over nine years of experience in the educational sector. Her career is characterized by an unwavering dedication to making quality education universally accessible. Holding a Master’s degree in International Business and International Marketing from the University of Jaen in Spain, she has leveraged her education to meticulously oversee execution and marketing strategies, resulting in the exponential growth of her companies.

Shruti’s journey in education was ignited by a profound belief in its transformative potential. Following her Master’s degree, she identified the need for innovation in the education sector. Leveraging her substantial background in management and marketing, she co-founded Skoodos with the goal of marrying business expertise with a commitment to egalitarianism, ensuring quality education for all.

Navigating the ever-evolving educational landscape has posed challenges, from staying ahead of industry trends to scaling operations while maintaining an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and educational excellence. These challenges have only reinforced her commitment to delivering the best possible educational experience.

Her entrepreneurial journey has imparted valuable lessons on the significance of market insights, customer-centricity, and adaptability. She emphasizes aligning a company’s growth trajectory with the dynamic demands of the industry, coupled with unwavering dedication, resilience, and adherence to core values.

Shruti’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs in the education sector is clear: never lose sight of the transformative impact your efforts can have. Challenges are opportunities for learning and growth. Stay committed, resilient, and passionate about your cause, for in education, you possess the power to change lives.

• Parul Kakad

Parul Kakad, known as “mumbaimummy,” is a revered mom influencer and the mother of four beautiful children. She embarked on a remarkable journey to celebrate the essence of motherhood through her platform. Little did she know that this endeavor would blossom into a thriving venture. With over four years of experience as a content creator, Parul has discovered that content creation encompasses much more than meets the eye.

Parul’s venture began with the encouragement of friends who recognized her unique position as a mother of four and her ability to share her experiences on motherhood and children. Their suggestion led her to embark on her path as a mom influencer, embracing the world of content creation.

For Parul, inspiration arises from the small moments in life that can influence one in both positive and negative ways. These moments serve as the seeds of thought and catalysts for change. They inspire her to choose her path of personal growth. The journey has had its share of difficulties, and as a woman, Parul understands the power of transforming challenges into strength.

Beyond her thriving business, Parul is on a self-healing journey. She recognizes that to help others heal, she must first heal herself.

Parul imparts a valuable message to aspiring women entrepreneurs: happiness resides within. Find your happy space, dedicate time to self-care, seek balance, and extend a helping hand to fellow women. The journey is not about competition but rather about collective growth within the realm of collective consciousness. Parul Kakad’s journey is a testament to the strength of embracing the little things in life and channeling them towards personal and collective empowerment.

• Payal Narang

Payal Narang is a Jolly Phonics Trainer and Teacher by profession who has done her education in child Psychology She started her journey in 2012 when she moved to India and was surprised that hardly any schools here had a phonics program. 

She then started by spreading awareness about it and providing private classes to kids. By her instruction, children as young as 3-3.5 years old were able to begin reading on their own.

She started it small by providing home tuition to children. Since she always wanted to have a business, eventually she grew and was able to establish her centre with three classrooms and three teachers. Although the pandemic was a bit scarier for her, it led to better days as now her business has expanded, and she provides classes both online and offline and has a wider set of students

• Alpana Deo

Alpana Deo is a Houston-based teacher, author, blogger, voice-over artist, and podcast host. Her passion for writing started early on in her life, but it wasn’t until she became a mother that took her first steps into publishing. Writing for the Austin South Asian Local Newsletter was just the beginning, and soon enough, her blog “Mothers Gurukul” was born. With very little knowledge of website maintenance and SEO, she took the plunge into the blogging world, and today, she is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 200 English Blogs in India.

“Along with writing, I am also passionate about the voice-over industry. I won the Orange Flower Runner-up award in 2022 for the most empowering category. So after my second pregnancy, with limited free time, podcasts came to my rescue. To fulfill my love for public speaking and desire to help other moms, I started my English Show, Mother’s Gurukul Podcast, for other parents.” said Alpana Deo.

Alongside writing, she has a strong passion for the voice-over industry. she is blessed to be fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi, which has allowed her to summarize many audiobooks in these languages. In 2022, she was honored to receive the Orange Flower Runner-up award in the “most empowering” category for her voice-over work. And in 2021, she launched her Hindi podcast “Baton Baton Mein,” where she talks about simple yet overlooked topics that are part of our daily lives. She also had the opportunity to interview various celebrities from different fields, including Lataa Sabberwal, Rekha Diwekar, and Dr. Swati Lodha.

As a voice-over artist, Alpana Deo has summarized numerous audiobook summaries in Hindi and Marathi. She firmly believes that with a strong desire and willingness to give one’s best effort, anyone can tilt the odds in their favor. Alpana considers every step taken towards her goal as a milestone. Despite facing visa limitations that barred her from working for a decade, she explored her hobbies and turned them into a career. Alpana acknowledges that although she has acquired a lot of knowledge, there is still a lot more to learn. Nevertheless, looking back, she feels content with her journey.

• Dr. Zahra Hussain

A Physiotherapist by profession and a Fashion Jewellery Business owner by passion has been running her clinic as a full-time physiotherapist for the past 11 plus years and parallelly owns an online jewellery brand where she sells her  designs via Instagram, their website and does alot of exhibitions all over India. 

By the brand name of Cherry Blossoms Designs, she has made a successful business along side her fulltime medical practice. Her designs are worn by various celebs like the ravishing Sunny Leone, Jasmine Bhasin, Tina Datta, Elnaz Norouzi, Nikki Tamboli any many more and famous singers like Purva Mantri, Shalmali Kholgade and the most amazing Neha Kakkar! Neha has worn her jewellery in almost every episode of the current season of Indian Idol and many other shows she did.

Being a successful doctor, she was questioned a lot for venturing into the jewellery business, but she was so passionate about it that she did it anyway and is currently running a successful jewellery business! Not only is she a doctor and an entrepreneur, but also a mother of 2 beautiful small children. She has proved to be a great inspiration for all women looking to start or run an existing business and most importantly follow their dreams.

• Ramana Shah

HolidayArt, is a travel company founded by Ramana Shah in 2017. It is a travel company that specialises in hosting domestic and international tours across the globe. 

From working in corporate jobs with Kingfisher Airlines to unwillingly working in the banking sector after its closure, Ramana has gone through a lot of struggles to earn her bread. Leaving the job and returning to travel industry almost after 6 years was not an easy task for her until her friend encouraged her to start up something of her own. And this came with the idea of starting her own travel company named HolidayArt. Doing it single handed especially when she was the first girl child in the family to start a business was difficult, but she was supported strongly by her friends and family. Her father being the most inspirational for her. She believes in going an extra mile for their customers. Customer delight is their mantra. 

Her journey of ups and downs didn’t end up here. It was the pandemic that led to the downfall of her career again, but she didn’t lose any hope. She took it positively. She took the time of 2 years of zero business to learn more about travel and tourism and rebuilt. With tourism getting back to normalcy they are rising to achieve new heights.

• Sneha Paliwal 

Sneha Paliwal‘s journey as an influencer began six years ago when she made her debut on Instagram as one of the first mommy bloggers. She stumbled upon this profession by chance when she started posting candid pictures of her daughter and herself on the platform after quitting her job and becoming a homemaker. Her posts quickly gained popularity among users, resulting in an increase in her followers.

Over time, Sneha’s social media presence grew by leaps and bounds, and businesses began to take notice. Today, she commands a following of more than 150,000 people on her Instagram page @highstreetmommy, and has collaborated with over 800 brands, including established names such as Myntra, Amazon, and Flipkart. Her stellar work in the industry even caught the attention of Bollywood actress Sunny Leone, who interviewed her for Hauterfly.

Sneha’s rise to success was anything but easy, especially since she was a newcomer to the industry without any connections. She persevered through the challenges of managing a nuclear family and shooting with children, and managed to strike a balance between her personal and professional life with remarkable skill. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, and her success story stands as a testament to the power of hard work and dedication.

• Garima Gupta 

Garima Gupta is a creative visionary, driven by her passion for designing unforgettable experiences for her clients. As the founder of Brand Kundal, based in Gurugram, Haryana, she is dedicated to creating exclusive bags and potlis that cater to the demands of the affluent clients she serves.

Garima’s journey began when she realized the need for exclusive bags and potlis in her own big family. She created her first design, which was coordinated perfectly with the wedding theme, and it became a turning point in her life. After the initial success, Garima decided to take it more seriously and enter the wedding industry.

Today, Garima’s vision for Kundal is to become a brand known for its exclusivity, available not only in India but also for international clients. She aims to give each product a modern twist while retaining the Indian heritage, creating designs that are contemporary and edgy.

Garima believes that every bag tells a story, and she wants to take the traditional need for potlis and clutches to another dimension by adding her unique touch. With her creative soul and dedication to her craft, Garima is sure to continue making waves in the industry and creating unforgettable experiences for her clients.

• Shraddha Sancheti

Shraddha Sancheti is a formidable force behind the House of Dhaatu, inspiring women worldwide. Her brand showcases stunning jewellery designs while embodying inclusivity and affordability. They idea appeared from a deep understanding of the disappointment that customers feel when they cannot afford a piece they adore. She created a space where anyone can purchase unique, affordable jewellery without sacrificing quality or design.

Shraddha persevered through the pandemic, leading her team with grace and respect for their safety and well-being. Her ambition came true as a result of her persistent dedication and devotion. Her ability to keep going in spite of difficulty serves as an example for people hoping to fulfil their aspirations.

She proves that the world needs more women like her, who harness their passion and turn it into a force for good. Her success serves as a beacon of hope for all those who seek to make a positive difference in the world. She is a true inspiration, and the House of Dhaatu is a testament to her indomitable spirit.

• Prof. Dr. Neha Yadav

An Assistant Professor of Marketing at FLAME School of Business in Pune, Prof. Dr. Neha Yadav has always been interested in researching women’s issues, particularly around feminine hygiene products. She was fascinated by the story of Aditi Gupta, the founder of Menstrupedia, an innovative menstrual education platform. Despite coming from a conservative background, Gupta was shocked by the lack of awareness around menstruation and founded Menstrupedia to educate and empower women.

Through her work, Gupta has challenged societal taboos and rituals surrounding menstruation, inspiring women to break free from outdated beliefs and perceptions. As a social entrepreneur, she has faced resistance and criticism but has persevered with strength and courage.

Prof. Dr. Yadav sees Gupta’s story as an inspiration for women entrepreneurs who are dedicated to social causes. She believes that these entrepreneurs have the power to bring about significant changes in society and looks forward to seeing the impact they will have on a larger scale.

• Chayanika Moulik

Chayanika Moulik is not just an artist, she’s a visionary. With a professional and educational background in Graphic Design and Literature, she has always pursued art in some form or the other, be it digital or traditional media.

She conducts art workshops named Art & Chai across the country where she shares her passion with others and helps them explore their creative side. The idea behind her workshops is to create a space where beginners can aspire to become artists and grown-ups can paint freely like a child.

Chayanika’s passion for art and her desire to share it with others is truly inspiring. Through her workshops, she helps people find a method in madness and calm amidst chaos.

• Dr. Rucha Rawal

An Assistant Professor in a renowned institute in Anand, Dr. Rucha Raval is also a mom blogger. She started blogging after her son, Parv’s birth. She believes to provide the information to moms-to-be and new moms from her own experiences. She also makes interesting content on mom and kid’s fashion.

She was pursuing her PhD when she concieved. Although it was very difficult, but with the support of her husband and parents and her dedication, she managed to complete her degree after her child’s birth. She has her unique style of parenting and believes more in providing practical knowledge and so does not force her child into the stereotyped education. Her content provides useful tips to the parents while dealing with the children.

• Arpita Mukherjee

Arpita Mukherjee is a mom influencer by the name @ikabir_yadav on Instagram past two and a half year. Her journey began five years ago on the popular short video app called “Tik Tok”. With the followers more than 1 million and a verified pet’s account, the platform provided her with the opportunity to work with celebrities including Siddharth Malhotra, Bpraak, Karanvir Bohra, Awez Darbar and also got featured in TheBetterIndia.

Taking a break from the platform due to her miscarriage, little did she know that her journey on the platform was destined till there only because of the disappearance of the app, erasing all her hard work. She always missed being an influencer, but motherhood became her priority specially in the times of pandemic.

Being blessed by having a great husband and friends who didn’t let her journey as an influencer end and motivated her to continue. She had a comeback on the social media, this time as a mom influencer. She now creates relatable, sarcastic, and funny reels on motherhood with 65000 followers and a reach of 136 million views. She has also collaborated with over 100 brands, including Myntra, Amazon, Firstcry, Fisher Price, Baby Chakra and POGO, and featured on the social media platforms of many prestigious brands. Balancing two kids and two pets has been challenging for her but she has been enjoying a fantastic journey so far.

• Nabila Malim

Nabila Malim is a remarkable entrepreneur who has carved her own path in the business world. She is the proud owner of two distinct firms: The Learning-Fitness-Hobby Centre (LHF Centre) and Hibah~Gifts|Beauty|Decor.

LHF Centre stands as a holistic destination, offering a diverse range of academic, fitness, and hobby classes. From maths, sciences, language lessons, and personality development courses to computer skills, her center provides a comprehensive learning experience. Fitness enthusiasts can find an array of exciting options available, namely Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Swimming, Bellydance, and more, catering to both children and adults. The center also offers a plethora of hobby classes, such as dance, art and craft, and candle making, fostering creativity and personal growth.

On the other hand, Hibah~GBD embodies Nabila’s passion for customized natural skincare products. This venture specializes in curating hampers that combine natural skincare, haircare, bodycare essentials, select makeup items, and scented candles. Each gift hamper is made with pure dedication to provide premium, personalized experiences while promoting the use of skin-friendly and eco-conscious products.

Her journey began at a young age when she discovered her love for teaching. Encouraged by her own teachers, she embarked on a path of continuous learning and growth, acquiring certifications and honing her skills to offer comprehensive courses. As a woman entrepreneur, she faced many challenges, balancing her business ambitions with family responsibilities, particularly as a mother. However, her unwavering patience and determination allowed her to persevere and succeed.

Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Nabila has encountered people who doubted her abilities due to her gender. Yet, she remained steadfast in pursuing her passions and integrating her loves into her business ventures. For her, these endeavors are not merely about earning money but about following her true calling and expressing her boundless passion. With strategic planning and bravery, she encourages women to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit and create their own success stories, never letting gender stereotypes hold them back.

• Meghna Sompura

Meghna Sompura, the visionary force behind Adorn Art Creations, operates as a versatile Mix Media Artist. Her passion lies in artistry, and she seamlessly navigates various mediums, including acrylic paints, watercolors, textured art, clay work, resin art, and alcohol inks. Meghna’s creations extend into home decor and gifting, where her work brings joy and adoration to those who encounter it.

Her journey in the world of art began with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Sir J J School of Arts, Mumbai. Art and music have always held a special place in her heart, deeply rooted in her family’s artistic heritage. Meghna’s ancestry boasts sculptors and artists, nurturing her love and affinity for artistic expressions.

Inspiration comes from her father, Bhupendra Sompura, a music composer, her multi-talented uncle Suresh Sompura, and life coach Manali Mehta. Despite her remarkable journey, Meghna has faced her share of difficulties, including personal traumas and battles with depression and anxiety. She encountered obstacles and setbacks, but her unwavering spirit led her to establish her small art business, starting from scratch and handling every aspect independently.

Beyond her business, Meghna also takes on the role of a legal and accounting administrator for a NYC-based company to support her art venture. A devoted single mother of a 20-year-old multi-talented daughter, Maitri Joshi, who has been a shining light of positivity and inspiration in Meghna’s life. Maitri has been a constant source of support, always standing by her mother’s side in every aspect of life and now in her business.

For aspiring women entrepreneurs, Meghna emphasizes the importance of financial independence, resilience, and the belief that age is no barrier to starting anew. She encourages women to harness their capabilities, multitasking skills, and unwavering determination, ensuring that success becomes their lifelong companion.

• Unnati Shinde

Unnati Shinde, the Creative Head at Studio Link Pvt Ltd, oversees the operations of the design specialty studio established in 1978 by her late father, Mr. Vivek Shinde, and her uncle, Mr. Atmanand. Pioneers in Publicity Designing for Bollywood Movies, the studio boasts a longstanding history and has become a creative hallmark in the industry. With a portfolio that includes renowned films in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, and other languages, they have created posters for iconic movies like Aashiqui, Angoor, Karan Arjun, and the web series Aashram, among others.

Born into a family of artists, Unnati holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from L.S Raheja School of Art. With exceptional artists as parents and a rich family heritage in various art fields, the choice to pursue a career in art came naturally to her.

Her journey has been inspired by her parents, especially her father, Vivek Shinde, and her mother, Lina, both remarkable artists. Uncles Ashish Sompura and Atmanand have also played influential roles. Legends such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh hold a special place in her artistic inspirations.

Beyond her role in the design studio since the past 17 years, Unnati is a fine artist with exhibitions at prestigious galleries like Jehangir Art Gallery and Nehru Centre. She also manages a small business, the ‘Busy Bags Project,’ offering handcrafted tote bags with quirky designs. Additionally, Unnati serves as a Telepathic Animal Communicator, acting as a messenger between animals and humans, addressing lost cases, emotional trauma, and general communication.

For aspiring women entrepreneurs, Unnati encourages them to follow the mantra of Dream-Believe-Achieve. She emphasizes trusting the process and having faith in the entrepreneurial journey.

• Rashi Hiten Savla

Rashi Hiten Savla is a professional fashion designer with a BSc in fashion design. Additionally, she is a passionate jewelry company owner and handcrafted accessories maker. During the pandemic, she started creating handcrafted accessories at home and decided to launch her own jewelry brand on Instagram called @Belle._co05. Belle means beautiful, and as someone who has always been fond of creating new designs, it seemed like the perfect fit.

Starting her own brand was not an easy task, but Rashi was supported by her parents, who always encouraged her to move forward and make her brand a success. After just one year, Belle._co05 became a successful business, and Rashi’s passion had turned into her profession. Her handcrafted accessories were worn by many celebrities, including Charul Malik, Annerivajani, Priyanka Udhwani, and Shivani Patel, among others. Additionally, Rashi has showcased her designs in many exhibitions across India.

Now, Belle._co05 is set to launch on Amazon and Flipkart, and Rashi’s dream is to make her brand popular all over India. She wants to make her family feel proud and sees this as just a small milestone towards achieving greater success. Rashi’s brand, Belle._co05, has transformed her life, and she feels ecstatic watching her small business grow. As someone who has always been passionate about creating new things and turning them into reality, Rashi believes that reaching one’s goals is possible if they dare to dream big.

• Shreya Patodia

Shreyaa Patodia is a visual artist based in Jaipur known for her mixed-media textured artworks. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in Visual Arts from Jaipur only. Just like any other middle-class Indian family, her family too thought that art can just be a hobby not a career option, but she managed to convince them. Her paintings have been exhibited at many reputed art galleries in India and her works are also in the collections of private collectors.

Shreyaa primarily uses mixed media and experiments with numerous mediums to create paintings with a variety of textures and patterns. The usage of textures along with various mediums like Black Japan and Mineral colors is the signature style that attracts. She uses textures and bold brush strokes to create a visual aesthetic to convey her thoughts. She also creates Mural/Wall Art and adds a creative appeal to commercial and residential spaces with her artworks. Her artworks are inspired by the characters, and stories from mythology, her travel experiences, and the people she meets.

Working as a freelancer since 2015, her initial days were quite tough when she could not find potential clients or art galleries. Facing though a lot of ups and down, she finally came up with her brand called Mityaa by Shreya. Mityaa by Shreyaa is a one-stop art solution for businesses and individuals.

Mityaa by Shreyaa is her attempt to make art accessible to all. Through her paintings, she hopes to connect with others and share her experiences. She, therefore, offers her artwork affordably so that anybody can have a piece of art in their home. And at Mityaa, she produces customized artwork to provide clients with their ideal pieces of art.

• Durga Thackeray

A 24-year-old pen drawing artist & fashion designer, Durga Thackeray creates mandalas, Zen tangles, and architectural drawings in Mumbai. She has been associated with art past 14 years and now creates her pieces under two brands.

Being from an artistic family herself, she lives for art more than for selling it. Initially, she stated by conducting workshops and brand collaboration. She created an art film based on her work as an artist and was featured in & on the cover of Rathala Review magazine and continued by starting her own YouTube & more. She ultimately launched her fashion label a year ago.

She believes one does not need huge investments & business models to build a brand. Start small, make do with whatever resources you have & work towards your passion with consistency & discipline is the ideation that she follows.