Six Solopreneurs Changing The Business Landscape In India

A solo entrepreneur is someone who is the sole founder of the venture, and they oversee every domain, from planning and executing to finance and marketing. These solo entrepreneurs help and inspire others to take the lead and build their own paths.

Women solo entrepreneurs stand not only as businesswomen but also as individuals who defy traditional gender roles, generating income independently, pursuing their goals, and creating something new without relying on other people.

Six solo women entrepreneurs pursuing their goals independently

Jyoti Bharadwaj

Jyoti Bharadwaj is the founder of TeaFit, a food and beverage brand. Jyoti is a Mumbai-based entrepreneur who started TeaFit, a zero-sugar beverage brand, in 2015 when she discovered that her body started resisting insulins. Inspired by the unsweetened beverages in Japan, she came forward with the mission of removing over 30,000 kg of sugar from the Indian diet and building a healthier India. At TeaFit, the products are made with tea extracts and spices and are free from sugar, sweeteners, and preservatives.  

Aishwarya Biswas

Aishwarya Biswas is the founder of AULI Active Ayurveda, a skincare brand. After quitting her corporate career, Aishwarya started her brand in 2017 with the vision of making organic products for skincare, haircare, and wellness. AULI is an abbreviation for affordable, unique, lush, and Indian. She started her brand with merely 10 customers and now has over 7000 customers. Big media houses like India Today Group and newspapers like The Telegraph, Ananda Bazaar Patrika, and other local dailies have recognized her brand. 

Slony Gambhir

Slony Gambhir is the founder of Very Much Indian, a handcrafted traditional clothing brand. Slony’s brand was the result of her passion for promoting Indian artistry and supporting local artisans. Her vision was to create a brand that celebrates the diverse culture of India, and thus she started working with Indian rural weavers. At Very Much Indian, they specialise in producing authentic handcrafted traditional clothing. Today, the brand works by providing a constant source of work to almost 2500 rural Indian weavers from 7 different states of India. 

Yushika Jolly

Yushika Jolly is the CEO and founder of Paradyes, a semi-permanent hair colour brand. With Yushika’s interest in hair colours, she envisioned starting her brand that conserves natural hues, minimises waste, and promotes eco-friendly products. At Paradyes, the products come in 15 multifaceted shades that are vegan and eco-friendly. The brand is a combination of Ayurveda and herbal infusions, which makes it safe for every hair type. 

Poonam Bir Kasturi

Poonam Bir Kasturi is the founder of Daily Dump, a home composting initiative. Poonam is a social entrepreneur who studied compost, soil, and circular economies for 14 years. Her concerns about the environmental impact of landfills and waste led to her initiative of Daily Dump, which encourages people to compost at home and reimagine waste as a resource. She has been awarded the Schwab Foundation's Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2015 and the Lexus Design Award for Design Thinking in 2018.

Supriya Donthi

Supriya Donthi is the CEO and founder of LeafyAffair, a jewellery brand made out of preserved flowers and leaves. With her passion and love for nature, Supriya started her venture in 2016 with just 20k as her initial investment. Today, the brand has expanded from a one-person operation to an established business with over 5,000 customers worldwide. The brand sells a variety of products, like rings, necklaces, bracelets, and wall mounts, made from preserved leaves and flowers from all around the world.