The architecture and interior design industry in India is witnessing a transformative shift, led by visionary entrepreneurs who are redefining spaces with creativity, innovation, and functionality. In this special edition, we celebrate 10 trailblazing entrepreneurs whose success stories showcase their passion for transforming environments, setting new industry standards, and inspiring the next generation of designers.

From sustainable architecture to luxury interiors, their work reflects a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of design’s impact on daily life. Join us as we explore their journeys, challenges, and remarkable contributions to shaping the future of the industry in India.

Viraj Ghelani

Introducing Viraj Ghelani, the seasoned comedy content creator who has seamlessly woven himself into the fabric of suburban Mumbai life. If you’ve ever found yourself chuckling at the quirks of suburban existence, chances are you’ve crossed paths with one of Viraj’s relatable videos. Particularly resonant with the Gujarati community, Viraj has become a familiar and beloved figure in the digital landscape.

Known for his contributions to Dice Media and FilterCopy videos, Viraj transitioned from the guy-next-door in web content to making his mark in Bollywood. Making his Dharma movie debut in “Govinda Naam Hai Mera” as Bhumi Pednekar’s boyfriend, Viraj has effortlessly extended his charm to the big screen.

Yet, beyond the screen, Viraj Ghelani remains a humble and passionate creator, drawing energy from his fans and finding inspiration in family bonds. His philosophy centers around embracing the present, acknowledging that every past experience converges to shape the cherished moments of today. This conversation unfolds the fascinating journey of Viraj, tracing his steps from the streets of Borivali to the grand stages of Bollywood.

Unnati Malharkar

In the world of fashion, where trends change like the wind, some individuals possess the unique ability to captivate audiences, shape styles, and inspire millions with their effortless flair. One such influential personality is Unnati Malharkar, a dancer, fashion influencer, and blogger whose creativity and distinctive style have made her a prominent figure in the industry.

Formerly started as a TikTok sensation and now an Instagram influencer, Unnati’s journey began like many others, but her undeniable talent and passion for dance and fashion set her apart from the crowd. She soon realized the power of self-expression through dancing. With a keen eye for detail and an uncanny ability to predict upcoming trends, she became a beacon of inspiration.

Her outfits effortlessly fuse chic couture with accessible pieces, making her style approachable for her followers. From trendy streetwear to elegant Indian wear, she flawlessly navigates the fashion landscape, encouraging her audience to experiment and embrace their own unique fashion identities.

Unnati Malharkar is more than just a content creator; she is a force to be reckoned with. Her creativity knows no bounds, and her impact on the digital landscape is undeniable. With each video she creates, she reminds us all the power of chasing our dreams, embracing our passions, and spreading happiness along the way.

Shreya Mahajan

Shreya Mahajan is the founder of The Social Sphere, a New Delhi-based marketing and PR agency specializing in creating innovative strategies for luxury fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. Alongside her entrepreneurial journey, she is a dedicated fashion and lifestyle content creator, sharing her passion for styling and personal expression.

Her journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown when Shreya started creating outfit inspiration content, giving life to her love for fashion. This creative exploration encouraged her to leave a stable corporate job and pursue a master’s in Fashion Marketing at Nottingham Trent University. Combining her marketing expertise, passion for fashion, and valuable internship experiences, Shreya launched her agency in March 2024.

Shreya finds inspiration in trailblazing women like Masoom Minawala and Falguni Nayar. However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. As a woman, she faced societal pressures and subtle judgments for stepping away from a conventional career path to follow her dreams. Building a career in a competitive industry while defying norms required resilience, but staying aligned with her vision kept her motivated.

To aspiring digital creators and influencers, Shreya emphasizes the importance of authenticity and consistency. She encourages them to embrace their individuality, create meaningful content for their audience, and experiment with fresh ideas. According to her, growth may take time, but perseverance, strategy, and staying true to oneself build a loyal community.

Shreya describes her success as a work in progress. From leaving a corporate job at Deloitte to building her own business and nurturing a community, each step has been a testament to her determination. With the support of her family, mentors, and personal resilience, she has steadily moved closer to her goals. Shreya hopes her story inspires others to trust in their abilities and take bold leaps of faith toward their dreams.

Patralekha

Patralekha is a fashion stylist and influencer who has turned her passion for style and creative expression into a thriving career. Known for her ability to curate unique and personal looks for her niche clientele, she brings a blend of artistry and individuality to everything she does.

From an early age, she was the go-to friend for outfit advice and closet makeovers, always experimenting with colors, textures, and fresh ideas. Sharing her styled outfits on Instagram was a turning point—what began as a hobby quickly grew into a profession, fueled by admiration for her fashion sense and her ability to inspire confidence through style.

Drawing inspiration from global fashion icons and everyday people alike, Patralekha finds beauty in the way personal style reflects individuality. She believes that creativity thrives when authenticity meets boldness. Her journey, however, hasn’t been without challenges.

Breaking into the competitive fashion industry required resilience, especially as she worked to establish her voice in a space that often favors convention over innovation. Balancing the artistic side of styling with the practical demands of being a digital creator was another hurdle, but she’s met it head-on, staying true to her vision while navigating the pressures of engagement and validation.

When she isn’t styling, Patralekha channels her creativity into painting and creating unique artworks, another avenue where her artistic spirit shines. Her advice to aspiring creators is simple: stay original and focused. In a fast-paced digital world, she believes authenticity and persistence set people apart.

Her success is a testament to the power of hard work, adaptability, and the joy of inspiring others to embrace their confidence through fashion. For Patralekha, fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s about empowering people to feel good in their own skin.

Iti Khinchi

Iti Khinchi is a mom blogger and digital creator known for sharing the humorous and relatable aspects of motherhood through her engaging reels and content. She connects with other mothers by offering a light-hearted perspective on the everyday chaos of parenting, turning the often challenging moments into shared experiences filled with laughter and support.

Iti’s journey into mom blogging began when she found motherhood to be more complex than she initially thought. Seeking a creative outlet to navigate this new chapter of her life, she started documenting her experiences and venting her frustrations. What began as a personal project quickly grew into a platform where she could connect with other moms. Her reels, capturing the hilarity of daily parenting moments, resonated with many, marking the start of her successful career as a mom blogger.

The community of moms Iti has connected with serves as her biggest inspiration. Each mother’s unique story and struggle remind her that she is not alone, and their resilience and creativity continually motivate her. As a woman, Iti has faced the challenge of balancing personal and professional life amidst high societal expectations. However, she has found that embracing her imperfections and sharing them openly has been key to building a genuine and supportive community.

Beyond creating content, Iti is deeply involved in her daughter’s upbringing, which remains her top priority. She also explores new hobbies, from trying different forms of art to reading books that inspire creativity and growth. Being present in her family’s life and creating lasting memories together is essential to her.

To aspiring digital creators and influencers, Iti emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s story. Authenticity, she believes, is what resonates most with people. She encourages others not to fear sharing the messy, imperfect parts of life, as real connections are forged in those moments. Patience is also crucial—success doesn’t happen overnight. Iti advises focusing on building a community rather than just a following, as the rewards will naturally follow.

For Iti, success is not measured by numbers or accolades but by the smiles and laughter of her family when they watch her reels and the supportive comments from her community. Every time she brightens someone’s day or helps a fellow mom feel less alone, she considers it a success. Her journey is about discovering new facets of herself and finding joy in the everyday moments of motherhood.

Meghna Verma

Meghna Verma is a corporate lawyer, enrolled with the Delhi Bar Association, who has also gained experience as an educator. After living in Hyderabad, she returned to her hometown, New Delhi.

During the pandemic, she, like many others, felt the mental strain caused by social distancing. To maintain her well-being, Meghna ventured into the digital world, quickly building connections and discovering a passion for content creation.

Inspired by figures in fitness, motherhood, food blogging, and fashion, she loves trying new things and sharing her experiences. However, Meghna has faced challenges as an influencer, particularly the misconception that the role is easy and requires minimal effort. She knows the reality is different—balancing home responsibilities with external commitments demands discipline and the ability to improvise. Meghna emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong mental and physical health to meet the demands of a hectic schedule.

As a homemaker, she thrives on balancing her family life with pursuits outside the home. Meghna advises aspiring influencers to work with dedication, commitment, and passion, always promoting what they truly believe in. For her, authenticity and simplicity are key to making a real impact.

Roohi Baweja

Roohi Baweja is a luxury fashion and lifestyle influencer, an editor in the fashion & lifestyle beat in the Luxurious lifestyle newspaper ‘Zoom Delhi’. With a background in interior design and computers, Roohi has also gained experience working with Amul India in the administration and HR departments.

A year ago, she embarked on her journey into the world of fashion influencing, and since then, her presence has grown significantly. Roohi has had the privilege of being associated with various prestigious fashion and lifestyle brands. She’s been a part of FDCI Couture Week, sharing the front row with celebrities and renowned designers such as Bobby Deol, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Neha Dhupia, Jay Sean, Sonakshi Sinha, Sabyasachi, Dolly J, Rohit Bal, and Gaurav Gupta.

Roohi is also known for showcasing the latest collections from international luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, and Bulgari. She regularly visits these high-end stores to present their newest pieces to her audience, bringing global fashion trends directly to her followers.

In a world where breaking barriers has become synonymous with women’s empowerment, the success stories of exceptional women achievers continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations. In 2025, we shine a spotlight on these remarkable individuals who have defied odds, shattered stereotypes, and carved out their own paths to success.

Join us as we celebrate the women who are not only achieving greatness but also inspiring others to dream big and break their own barriers.

Iti Khinchi

Iti Khinchi is a mom blogger and digital creator known for sharing the humorous and relatable aspects of motherhood through her engaging reels and content. She connects with other mothers by offering a light-hearted perspective on the everyday chaos of parenting, turning the often challenging moments into shared experiences filled with laughter and support.

Iti’s journey into mom blogging began when she found motherhood to be more complex than she initially thought. Seeking a creative outlet to navigate this new chapter of her life, she started documenting her experiences and venting her frustrations. What began as a personal project quickly grew into a platform where she could connect with other moms. Her reels, capturing the hilarity of daily parenting moments, resonated with many, marking the start of her successful career as a mom blogger.

The community of moms Iti has connected with serves as her biggest inspiration. Each mother’s unique story and struggle remind her that she is not alone, and their resilience and creativity continually motivate her. As a woman, Iti has faced the challenge of balancing personal and professional life amidst high societal expectations. However, she has found that embracing her imperfections and sharing them openly has been key to building a genuine and supportive community.

To aspiring digital creators and influencers, Iti emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s story. Authenticity, she believes, is what resonates most with people. She encourages others not to fear sharing the messy, imperfect parts of life, as real connections are forged in those moments. Patience is also crucial—success doesn’t happen overnight. Iti advises focusing on building a community rather than just a following, as the rewards will naturally follow.

Leena Mukhi – Renowned Brand Strategist

Leena Mukhi is a seasoned brand strategist whose expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives and establishing the unique identities of brands. Her journey began over three decades ago as a fashion designer, having graduated from Sophia College, Mumbai, with a degree in Design, alongside a Bachelor’s in Commerce from HR College, Mumbai. Balancing these dual pursuits, she discovered her passion at the intersection of art, business, and design, which led her to launch her design label, Leena & Tahira, in the early 2000s. With a boutique on Altamount Road, her portfolio expanded to include diverse ventures, from intricate clothing lines to the beauty and skincare industry.

In 2008, she embarked on a new chapter, creating her own Nail Spa in Mumbai, showcasing her ability to adapt and innovate. Her path took an intriguing turn when she joined Em & Em Personal Care in 2016, where she played a pivotal role in developing two highly successful brands, Captain Zack and Coccoon. Immersing herself in research, development, team communication, sales, and strategy, she elevated these brands to impressive heights before they were eventually sold. Her contributions didn’t stop there, as she transitioned into consulting, lending her expertise to areas like ideation, packaging, and manufacturing. Her work has also included serving as a COO consultant for a South Korean aesthetic brand.

Leena draws inspiration from everyday women who masterfully balance the demands of family and career. As a mother of two accomplished daughters—a dentist in the US and an interior designer in the UK—she takes pride in seeing them thrive, mirroring her own values of resilience and determination.

The path to success has not been without challenges. Leena acknowledges the obstacles, setbacks, and doubts that come with building something meaningful. Yet, she believes the rewards of perseverance and resilience make the journey worthwhile. Beyond her professional life, Leena’s passions include traveling, dance workouts, music, reading, and meaningful conversations. She values time spent with loved ones and thrives in vibrant social settings.

Her advice to aspiring professionals emphasizes the importance of discipline, balance, and an early start to the day. For Leena, success is more than just professional achievements; it’s about personal growth, adaptability, and the lessons learned along the way. Each challenge has shaped her into the multifaceted professional she is today, living proof that determination and evolution are the cornerstones of a fulfilling career and life.

Vernika Verma, Director – Brands and Branches

With a background in engineering and management, along with experience at Infosys, she transitioned from the corporate world to entrepreneurship by founding Brands and Branches. As the director, she has built a venture that enhances brand visibility through strategic partnerships, helping businesses expand nationally and internationally. Witnessing the rise of women in franchising has been incredibly motivating, and she takes pride in being part of this transformative movement.

Her entrepreneurial journey was fueled by a desire to innovate beyond corporate confines. While Infosys provided stability, she yearned to channel her passion for business into something more dynamic. Launching Brands and Branches was a pivotal moment—one that has since led to successful franchise expansions across India and globally, with recent ventures in Dubai and Phuket.

Like any entrepreneur, she has faced challenges—market competition, operational complexities, and securing partnerships. Yet, these obstacles have strengthened her leadership and strategic decision-making skills. Drawing inspiration from resilient entrepreneurs, she believes that persistence and adaptability are key to success.

Beyond business, she actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, believing that shared knowledge and strong support networks are crucial for growth. The increasing presence of women in franchising highlights the power of diverse leadership in reshaping industries.

To those aspiring to start their own ventures, her message is simple: Perseverance and passion will take you far. Embrace challenges as opportunities, seek mentorship, and stay adaptable. Success follows those who dare to take the leap. As more women step into leadership roles, they are not just building businesses—they are redefining industries and making a lasting impact.

Deepti Gambhir, Lifestyle influencer

Deepti Gambhir is a corporate professional and lifestyle influencer who turned her passion into a platform for inspiration. What began as a fun way to share her experiences in fashion, fitness, wellness, and travel soon evolved into a thriving community that values authenticity over perfection. Through consistency and genuine engagement, she has built a space where people connect over shared experiences.

Like many women, she has faced challenges—unrealistic beauty standards, self-doubt, and the pressure to maintain a “perfect” online presence. However, she has learned that true strength comes from embracing her real self. Navigating an industry that often prioritizes aesthetics over authenticity, she has stayed grounded by focusing on meaningful connections and surrounding herself with a supportive community.

Beyond her professional and online presence, Deepti finds joy in exploring new cafés, experimenting in the kitchen, traveling, photography, and fitness. These passions fuel her creativity and add depth to the stories she shares.

Her advice to aspiring professionals and influencers is simple: Keep learning, embrace challenges, and stay true to your passion. Your authenticity is your greatest asset.

Her journey is a testament to resilience and self-belief. Every challenge has been a stepping stone, shaping her into someone who not only inspires but also empowers others to pursue their dreams with confidence.

Deepika Bhalla – Author & Entrepreneur – Bharata Ji Di Hatti

Deepika Bhalla is an author and a businesswoman, balancing her role in her family’s jewelry business, Bharata Ji Di Hatti in Amritsar, with her passion for writing. She is the author of the children’s book Story of the Ordinary. Writing has always been a part of her life, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that she took the leap and submitted her manuscripts to publishing houses. To her surprise, a Pune-based publisher accepted her work, and from there, her journey as an author took off.

As a hands-on mother and a professional, Deepika acknowledges the challenges that come with balancing multiple roles. Time is often divided between family responsibilities and her creative pursuits, but she sees this as part of the journey. The struggle to find time for writing or completing tasks is a familiar one for many women, but Deepika views it as a part of life’s unpredictability and flexibility.

Her message to women entrepreneurs is that life doesn’t always follow a set plan. Deepika’s own path is a testament to this—she moved from Mumbai to the small town of Amritsar, leaving behind an active career plan, and faced a period of uncertainty about what to do next. Seventeen years ago, there were no clear career opportunities for her, and it felt like she had to start from scratch. This challenging phase taught her that success isn’t always linear, and sometimes, the best opportunities come when you least expect them.

Deepika encourages women to remain open to new opportunities, even if they lead in unexpected directions. Flexibility and the willingness to start afresh are key, as you never know which path will lead to your success story. For Deepika, the journey from uncertainty to fulfillment was not easy or predictable, but it was guided by a belief in divine timing. She firmly believes that what is meant for you will never pass you by.