In the radiant glow of Navratri, a time when we celebrate the divine feminine energy, we find inspiration in the stories of strength, resilience, and wisdom that the nine goddesses embody. As we celebrate Navratri, let us also celebrate the empowered women entrepreneurs who, like Shailaputri, the embodiment of purity and auspiciousness, have fearlessly embarked on their business journeys.
Shailaputri, one of the nine forms of Maa Durga, is worshipped on the first day of Navratri and sets the stage for our journey into the captivating stories of women entrepreneurs. She embodies the spirit of new beginnings, representing the idea of setting out with pure intentions and the promise of successful ventures.
At StartupTalky, we asked women entrepreneurs to reflect on Shailaputri’s qualities and share what motivated them to start their businesses, as well as the early challenges they faced in their industries. Their stories reflect determination, courage, and clarity of vision, values that resonate deeply with the spirit of the goddess.
Ms. Samiha Jha, Founder & Director of Sammyukk
Like Shailaputri, the symbol of purity and dedication, I established Sammyukk with a mission inspired by sincerity and intent. Taking this journey wasn’t easy; working in a competitive field as a female entrepreneur took its dose of disbelief and detours. But like the steady rise of Shailaputri, I remained focused on my values and kept walking. Those initial setbacks only made me more determined to create a brand that honours inner strength, mindful decisions, and the bravery to lead graciously.
Key Takeaway: Staying true to your values turns early struggles into stepping stones.
Dishi Somani, Founder of DishiS Designer Jewellery
My inspiration to start DishiS Designer Jewellery stemmed from my immense love for timeless designs and a dream of offering fine, yet affordable, jewellery to today’s woman. Similar to Shailaputri’s purity and strength, I hoped for my brand to represent the same trust and authenticity. The toughest part about starting was entering a competitive market dominated by legacy brands. Earning respect and the trust of the consumer took tremendous strength, but it taught me how to tackle challenges and the significance of sticking to my vision over time.
Key Takeaway: Trust and persistence help new brands stand tall against established players.
Vijeta Soni, Co-Founder & CEO, Sciative Solutions
Sciative was conceived through a clear vision to turn pricing into a scientific, AI-based process. For decades, travel, retail and hospitality pricing was done either through gut-feel or strict rules, resulting in lost revenue. We thought about making a real difference by developing AI-based products which dynamically respond to market fluctuations and optimise profitability.
The first hurdle was acceptance. Companies were not willing to rely on technology with something as significant as pricing. To convince traditional companies to embrace AI, one needed to be patient and deliver results. We realised that when value becomes apparent, adoption would be quick, and today that vision has become a reality in the industries we serve.
Key Takeaway: Patience and proof of value are key to driving technology adoption.
Drishti Madnani, Co-Founder & Beauty Expert at Shryoan Cosmetics
The idea to start Shryoan came from the vision to do something innovative in the beauty industry while providing affordable, high-quality cosmetic products to every woman. Just as Shailaputri represents purity, it was our mission to create a brand based on trust and transparency. Initially, my biggest challenge was finding space in a market controlled by the global giants. Becoming credible and gaining customer trust took tremendous efforts, but it also made us strong enough to demonstrate that an Indian brand can provide international-standard products.
Key Takeaway: Trust and credibility can turn a challenger brand into a trusted choice.
Tejasvi Madan, Founder & CEO, Beyond Bound
When I left behind a comfortable corporate career to build Beyond Bound, it felt like stepping into the unknown. There were endless hurdles from convincing manufacturers to trust my vision to ensuring every design celebrated real women’s bodies. Yet much like Shailaputri’s steady and grounded strength, I learnt that humble beginnings carry their own power. With clarity of purpose, even the smallest steps start shaping a dream into reality.
Key Takeaway: Humble beginnings, backed by purpose, create powerful transformations.
Nidhi Sabbarwal, Founder, Kalyanamm Holy Waste Recycling Pvt. Ltd.
Just like Shailaputri symbolises purity, my journey began with an intention to bring purity back to rituals. I had allergies from charcoal incense, but after marriage, I saw how meaningful rituals were in my family’s life. That motivated me to try out low-smoke incense from temple flowers and essential oils. When my family loved it, I realised the concept had viability.
The greatest challenge was awareness—making people believe that something so traditional could be reworked for the environment. Informing consumers and establishing credibility around eco-friendly pooja products was the most challenging but most critical step in our initial years.
Key Takeaway: Awareness and education are vital when reshaping traditional practices.
Gopika B Raj, Co-Founder & CCO of MyDesignation
MyDesignation falls under a niche business domain. We are an expressive fashion brand. What inspired me to start this brand was the urge to create a space where fashion goes beyond trends and becomes an expression of identity.
The biggest challenge in the beginning was awareness; people often found the idea of “expressive fashion” unfamiliar, even alien, and many were hesitant to embrace their own cultural fashion, leaning more towards western styles. Alongside this mindset, there was also a clear gap in the market—fashion that was both high in quality and still affordable was almost impossible to find. That’s where our focus has been at MyDesignation.
Key Takeaway: Bridging market gaps requires educating customers and redefining perceptions.
Sakshi Jadhav
Gunjan Adya, Expressive Art Therapist & Founder of Tula Journey
Drawing inspiration from Goddess Shailaputri, Tula’s Journey comes from a purity and honesty of purpose. As the founder of the brand, I felt the need to help people manage their stress and help them learn to live life mindfully.
There are always challenges when one starts something new. The biggest challenge was to introduce the concept of journaling to people who were 40 years and older, as they were used to sharing their thoughts and emotions with their friends or family and not writing them down in a journal. However, through my workshops, I started to spread awareness about the benefits of journaling. I feel happy saying that things are changing now.
Shreya Ghodawat, India Ambassador, SHE Changes Climate | CEO, Sustainable Guides
Like Shailaputri, my intentions were pure. What inspired me to start my business was the need for a space that empowers mindful consumers, rooted in my love for nature, our environment, and our planet. I wanted to create a platform where people could begin and continue their sustainability journey guiltlessly.
The initial challenges included building a user base and securing funding, which required perseverance, a clear vision, and a passion for sustainability. Bridging the gap between consumer awareness and consumer willingness was a big one too.
Naina Ruhail, Founder and Co-CEO, Vanity Wagon
I started my brand with a pure vision for enhancing beauty the natural and safe way. The initial challenges were quite daunting with a multitude of facets to it, but the dedication to authenticity and immense belief in our goal has guided me through those challenges.
In a world of toxic, chemical-laden beauty products, finding a clean beauty product becomes a challenging task. That’s when I decided to resolve this problem by making the skimming process easier for people. I’ve stayed true to our mission and maintained integrity in business practices to form the foundation for lasting success. There is still a long way to go, but each challenge only strengthens my commitment to our vision.
Closing Note
These stories echo the essence of Shailaputri—new beginnings, resilience, and the courage to walk a path with purity of intention. As we celebrate Day 1 of Navratri, may these journeys remind us that strength often lies in starting and that every challenge is an opportunity to build something lasting and meaningful.
Sayantan Mondal
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