As we approach International Women’s Day 2023, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the significant contributions that women make in our lives. Whether it’s a mother who raised us, a sister who always has our back, a wife who supports us, a friend who lends an ear, a colleague who inspires us, a boss who guides us, or a teacher who mentors us, women play an essential role in shaping who we are. In honour of International Women’s Day, introducing you to women entrepreneurs who are successfully spearheading brands and striving to empower others.
Gursifat Kaur, Co-founder & Baker
Gursifat Kaur. Co-founder, Baker & Social media handler for Dessert in Trousseau. The venture was brought into existence when I aged 16 in 2019 on 24th September along with my sister Manpreet. The day I started this off, I’d no closer look into how this industry works but just a little child inside me which screamed “I wish doing something on my own”. When I dived more into it, I realized that it took me back to what I loved the most as a kid. Since I baked my first cake using marie gold biscuits when I was in 5th grade but never succeeded in the first go. My mom, who was my forever cheerleader kept insisting me to try more with less. And one fine day I cracked the perfect recipe. But didn’t know that I would get back to my hobby making it my passion one day. And thereafter, I have never looked back to what life looked like without baking. I still don’t succeed in the first go but “Doing more with less” is always the goal. And how can I not mention, that through it all YouTube was my best tutor. Now, my venture deals in Bespoke cakes/ Dessert tables/ Cupcakes/ Fondant cakes/ Caking tutor/ Luxury gift packing/ Luxe hampers/ Ring platter/ Shahi Chitthi/ Elevated trays and the list goes on. And there’s something so lively about this profession that, there’s flour on my phone cover making it look like a galaxy. Slippery phone screen, touching wrong notes with greasy fingers, Chef coat shining white with sugar, arm sleeves all dipped in butter, little chocolate chips and compotes fallen aside reminding me every day that I’ll need floury hands and batter around me on everything I touch till I retire to know how much I love my work.
Damini Oberoi, Founder Q Events & Weddings
In love with a dream. That is what Damini Oberoi is. In love with a dream as much as fascinated by that special touch, which so unique, sees each of her projects take shape. Over the years she has built, shaped and developed her creativity, her love for the beautiful, and directed her clients’ dreams. Such is Q Events & Weddings – an experience curating agency she is founder of. With a Degree in Hospitality – who speaks 4 languages – she boasts a business background in Food and Beverage. Damini has developed a marked ability to understand and interpret her clients’ needs. She has created award winning events throughout the country, that have gained her considerable visibility among important wedding blogs. She lives between her home in Pune – where she grew up – and Udaipur, with which she is in love. Damini leads a team of intuitive, passionate, thoughtful people who support her to give you a service beyond your expectations.
Devanshi Sharma, Founder Devanshi Renu Jewels.
Starting her own jewelry brand after completing B.A Jewellery Design from Pearl Academy, Jaipur, the four year long course gave her thorough knowledge about the field and the practical aspects also. Having done internship with high end designer like Sunita Shekhawat and big jewelry house like Hazoorilal Legacy her vision for her brand became more clear to her. In 2016 she started DRJ with idea to provide people a fusion in jewelry. With a blend of traditional & modern day designs, Devanshi Renu Jewels offers you a variety of jewellery from the time of Anarkali to the period of Modern Femininity. The brand stands for it’s design philosophy of inspiring and creating elegance with beauty. Handcrafted by highly skilled artisans the jewellery creates a benchmark for quality and hardwork. With a journey of its own each collection, it gives a unique expression it stands for. From a casual wear chic style earring to a traditional wedding necklace you can find your kind of jewellery.
Ranjita Shaw, CEO & FOUNDER – THERSHAW
With almost 2 decades of experience in luxury lifestyle and hospitality, Ranjita has worked with leading global organizations like Hyatt, IHCL, The Oberoi Group, Olivier Claire, Armani Beauty, Miss India, Miss World and Phantom Films, to name a few and also launched Roseate Hotels & Resorts. Channeling her industry experience and PR prowess, Ranjita set up her boutique PR Firm – THERSHAW covering lifestyle, tourism, hospitality and wellness. Having lived in France, India and South Africa she is extensively travelled and multilingual. Ranjita also supports Football for Peace, U.K. (affiliated with United Nations) as its Executive Committee Member and is a part of WICCI Hotels & Restaurants, India.
Roli Mehra, Textile Designer, recreating the dying romance between women and weaves of Benaras.
Roli Mehra, formerly a homemaker, turned textile maestro with Roliana – a boutique brand that came alive in the heritage city of Benares with a promise of a legacy to lovingly create heirloom pieces of art and excellent craftsmanship. Over three decades ago Roli launched the brand as an offshoot of her century old family business, emboldened by the fierce perseverance of Roli and her husband Vikash Mehra to reinvigorate and recreate the rightful place of handloom sarees and weaves for the global woman of today. A classic Roliana would always showcase the breath-taking amalgamation of art by our handloom weavers and hand painters. Roli is extremely proud of the fact that we are a women centric organisation with almost all key leadership roles being led by exemplary women along with a very strong women weaver community which is the backbone of her brand . She believes in nurturing deep rooted relationships which reflect unwaveringly in each piece of handloom that we create. Her bond with our clients is more about personal connections rather than business and she prides herself in creating an everlasting thread of trust and fulfilment.
Chharu Dhingra, Tarot Card Reader, Astrologer and Reiki Grandmaster, connecting you to a spirtual realm to awaken, heal and cleanse
Chharu Dhingra, identifies herself as a healer, astrologer, tarot card reader and a grandmaster of Reiki. “Through my practices and experience of over ten years under the name of Pramay Healing, I play the role of a mediator between the Divine and the Souls on earth to help them find the right path to balance their Chakras and heal themselves emotionally, financially, spiritually and physically. I conduct healing and tarot card reading sessions on a group and individual basis. I provide alternative healing services ranging from Tarot card reading, Reiki Healing, Vastu consulting, astrology,” says Chharu.
Anam Batliwala and Natasha Kothari, Wedding Social
Natasha Kothari, and Anam Batliwalla, both hail from digital and content marketing backgrounds. They came together to transform the way wedding content is documented digitally. They cater their services to tech-savvy couples who want to enjoy their day unplugged, but still get the benefit of having on-the-spot images and video to share at the end of the day. Their services include end to end wedding day social media management, real- time live stories, public relations, brand collaborations to name a few. With Wedding Social their mission is to leverage social and digital tools to capture authentic and candid moments, provide couples with a quick turnaround on wedding content, and create a unique digital experience for weddings. They’re redefining the Wedding-Tech start-up space, using smartphones and anamorphic lenses to provide couples with unique and trending wedding content. Apart from this Natasha and Anam both have their own separate business ventures as well where they help companies and brands create unique online and offline media solutions. Funded by themselves, this team of experienced wedding social media strategists is a woman-owned start-up that covers a good number of high profile weddings every season.
Kimi Jain, Co-founder and head of brand experience, Kimirica
Kimi Jain completed her MBA in E-Commerce from the University Of Birmingham. Co-founder and head of brand experience, Kimi Jain leverages her passion for storytelling to bring the brand’s concept of a story in every bottle to life. From design to concept, Kimi personally pays close attention to the details and plays a pivotal role to ensure that every product tells a story, whether it may be to offer an escape, ignite some romance, or revive a fond memory. When Kimirica Ventures decided to expand its presence by stepping into the retail segment with Kimirica Lifestyle, Kimi Jain stepped in to take up the tough job of optimizing the user experience to make it seamless. She uses her impeccable sense of perfection and a keen interest in designing spaces to create unforgettable brand experiences for customers.
