FEATURED WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

When Merve Iscan landed in London, she wasn’t just carrying a suitcase — she was carrying the blueprint of a future she would build from scratch. A foreign-trained architect in a city teeming with legacy firms and regulations she didn’t yet understand, she had no local contacts, no insider map — only sketches, experience, and relentless clarity of purpose. In 2021, she founded Studio RUUM, now one of London's rising architectural and interior design firms known for marrying

From a kitchen table vision to a transformative educational movement, Tutu Aina-Mays is redefining tutoring in the UK. A Mother's Vision Sparks an Educational Revolution Tutu Aina-Mays didn't set out to just improve test scores. As a single mother in the UK, she envisioned a world where every child, regardless of background, had access to quality education. With limited resources but unwavering determination, she founded Tecnis Academy—a tutoring service aimed at leveling

Lighting the Way in Fire Safety, One Building at a Time Fire safety isn’t the first arena where you expect bold innovation — let alone inclusive leadership. But Priya Ajbani is quietly changing that. As Director of Monsher India Safety Equipment Pvt Ltd, she leads one of the oldest fire protection companies in India with a fresh, global, and people-first approach. Founded in 1975, Monsher had legacy. Under Priya, it now has momentum.

At just 24, Aishwarya Sanjay Narawade is rewriting the rules of B2B marketing—not with noise, but with nuance. In a space flooded with clickbait content and templated strategies, her Pune-based startup, Maniifesst Pvt. Ltd., is winning clients by blending strategy with soul. Born from intuition and grit rather than pedigree or privilege, Maniifesst was founded in early 2025 by Aishwarya, who had no deep industry contacts, no legacy brand, and no backup plan. What she did hav

In a world where clinical trials often prioritize speed over soul, Kanchan Verandani brings an uncommon force to the biotech industry—compassion. A physician by training and an entrepreneur by design, this first-generation American co-founded Axentra Bio with a singular vision: to make research faster, yes, but never at the expense of humanity. Born out of challenge and shaped by resilience, Axentra Bio is headquartered in Phoenix and serves as both a clinical research eng

Muff, Donegal—A name that once raised eyebrows now raises glasses in 34 U.S. states and across the globe. But for Laura Bonner, founder of The Muff Liquor Company, this wasn't about shock value. It was about legacy. It was about laughter. And it was about crafting premium Irish spirits that are unapologetically authentic. From Grandpa’s Still to the World Stage Laura Bonner didn’t come from the liquor industry. She came from story. From the peat-scented tales of her grand

In a city where legacies often matter more than ideas, Shruti Kapadia chose to bet on a desk, a sketchbook, and a dream. Mumbai’s jewellery market wasn’t built for outsiders — but Shruti, a first-generation jeweller with no connections and zero capital, didn’t wait for permission. She built Ornate, a diamond jewellery brand that doesn’t just sparkle — it tells a story. From Unknown to Unforgettable It all began in 2012. Shruti stepped into an industry steeped in tradition

From Small Town Girl to Digital Powerhouse: The Rise of Aditi Jhawar Laturiya Mumbai might be known as the city of dreams, but for Aditi Jhawar Laturiya, it was a proving ground. She arrived without a safety net or a business degree — only a quiet resolve to build something of her own. Today, her brainchild, The Social Slay, is not just another digital agency. It’s a revenue-focused storytelling powerhouse helping over 250 brands scale in style — and in sales.

Most people don't dream of spreadsheets — but Philippa Rickards isn’t most people. In fact, what many small business owners see as a daunting chore, she sees as an opportunity for transformation. From her base in Victoria, Australia, Rickards has built My Bookkeeping Buddy not just as a financial service, but as a lifeline for overwhelmed entrepreneurs. From Overload to Order: A Purpose-Driven Launch The idea behind My Bookkeeping Buddy was born out of real-life challenge

In the tranquil hills of Uttarakhand, where misty orchards kiss the clouds and nature’s rhythm sets the pace of life, one woman quietly sparked a revolution. Not with noise, but with nourishment. Smt. Aradhna Painuly, founder of Himalayan Fresh Juice Private Limited, turned her deep connection to the land into a mission — to empower farmers, elevate women, and bottle wellness that begins at the root.

Most fresh graduates spend their early career figuring out the next step. Isha Taneja skipped the wait, trusted her instinct, and built a global data-tech company straight out of college. Her brainchild, Complere Infosystem, emerged from a modest beginning in Mohali and has grown into a 100-strong team delivering AI-powered, scalable solutions that redefine how businesses approach data.

You don’t usually associate kitchen cabinetry with courage. But for Neeti Macker, stepping into the barely-formed world of modular kitchens in India wasn’t just a design decision—it was a personal revolution. Long before Pinterest boards and smart appliances, she saw the kitchen not as a utility room, but as a reflection of the soul of Indian homes—and of the women who quietly held them together.

For Laura Sultan, the founder of Designs by Nature Gems, jewelry isn’t just about sparkle — it’s about soul. In an industry often driven by profit margins and mass production, she set out to build something radically different: a brand where every crystal, every clasp, and every cut carries integrity.

By the age most are still figuring out their path, Zahra Sbeih had already taken the leap into entrepreneurship. With no investors, no roadmap, and no safety net — just faith and fierce intent — she co-founded the Sbeih Virtual Assistance (SVA) Agency in Beirut alongside her sister. A year later, she found herself running it solo. What began as a bold experiment has become a lifeline for entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world, helping them clear the clutter, r

Shruti S. Parekh didn’t just start a business — she built a lifeline, both for herself and for hundreds of professionals seeking clarity during moments of transition. When she founded SPConsulting, a boutique career coaching and executive transition firm based in New York, there were no investors, no safety net, and no guarantees. She was fighting cancer, self-funding from scratch, and navigating medical bills — yet every day, she showed up. That spirit of grit-meets-grace is

In the quiet corners of townships and rural South Africa, where ambition often runs into walls of invisibility, Mponeng Seshea is rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. Not with grand speeches or global accolades, but with deep listening, community-driven innovation, and a relentless belief in women who’ve been overlooked for too long. As the founder of iEvolution Social Venture Studio in Cape Town, Mponeng is turning potential into prosperity — one woman-led business at a

When Kate Enters set out to carve space for her own artistic voice, she didn’t expect to spark a global movement. What began as a quiet rebellion against the gatekeeping norms of the art world turned into ArtCan — a nonprofit where artists keep 100% of their earnings and 100% of their dignity. Built on the belief that creativity shouldn't come with a commission fee, ArtCan is more than an organisation. It's a collective heartbeat for artists who’ve long worked in isolation.

When public speaking coach Sanja Hendrick lost her entire business revenue in one day during the COVID-19 lockdowns, most would have hit pause. She hit reset. Instead of retreating, she reimagined her mission — not just to teach communication, but to use it as a tool for confidence, leadership, and meaningful human connection. That pivotal moment became the spark behind Talent Academy, now a thriving national collective that’s transforming how Australians show up — in clas

In a world where academic achievement often overshadows emotional growth, Trayee Sinha is quietly rehumanising the way we approach education. As the founder of Prayaas, a Chennai-based educational coaching and advisory initiative, she is helping schools, students, and families find clarity in the chaos, and meaning beyond metrics. Her mission is simple yet radical: to bring empathy, structure, and purpose back to the heart of learning.

In a world preoccupied with surface aesthetics, Anujja Vavhal is quietly leading a deeper kind of transformation—one that begins at the level of energy and expands into the very spaces we inhabit. As the founder of A Different Way, a holistic consultancy based in Mumbai, Anujja has turned her decades-long design experience into something more profound: a practice that harmonizes architecture with ancient wisdom and intuitive healing. Her mission? To help people heal their ho

In the crowded digital arena, where attention is scarce and authenticity is rarer still, Jess Koscher has carved out something extraordinary: a business rooted in strategy, empathy, and soul. As the founder of Write Connections, a design and consulting firm based in Elkhart, Indiana, Koscher has become a sought-after guide for nonprofits, municipalities, and community-forward businesses looking to find—and amplify—their voice. Her success isn't built on algorithms or ad budge

At a time when quick fixes and spiritual shortcuts dominate the wellness industry, Dr. Anneli Driessen is quietly reshaping the conversation. A healer, author, certified coach, ordained minister, and founder of the International Metaphysical Academy Inc., she brings over 35 years of depth to a field too often treated superficially. Her Academy isn’t just a school — it’s a sanctuary for seekers. And her work isn't about mysticism for mysticism's sake. It’s about bridging sc

In a healthcare landscape driven by conversions and click-through rates, Lori Werner saw a glaring omission: the female decision-maker. With women influencing nearly 80% of healthcare choices in households, why were most marketing strategies ignoring them? That insight sparked the creation of Medical Marketing Whiz, a women-led agency devoted to helping women-led practices thrive — not just by filling appointment books, but by building trust-first patient communities throu

In a consulting landscape obsessed with market share and billable hours, Jennifer Rider dared to ask a deeper question: What if business success was measured by the value we return to the world — not just the value we extract? As co-founder of Hera Associates, Rider leads a quiet revolution in business consulting — one centered around impact, equity, and purpose. Rooted in the principle of net positivity, Hera helps nonprofits, government agencies, and mission-led companie

In a world where foot health rarely finds a place in the wellness conversation, Tejaswini Raaj built a brand that made it central. Her vision wasn’t about launching another shoe line — it was about restoring mobility, confidence, and dignity through every step taken. The result was Kaalcari — a bespoke footwear brand rooted in science, soul, and style. From children with flat feet to diabetic seniors and post-surgical patients, her enterprise serves a purpose far beyond fa

Before she became the name behind one of Mumbai’s most trusted cleaning service brands, Neha Parab Shinde was just a sharp-eyed daughter watching her father run a modest housekeeping business. The idea for Dial4CleanHome didn’t come from a pitch deck — it came from the floor of lived experience. In 2010, Neha took a bold step: building a business not just around cleaning homes, but around restoring dignity to a space most people overlook. Her mission? To offer a profession

Azalia Fine Jewelry was born from Ishraat’s passion for authentic craftsmanship and a desire to humanize the jewelry-buying experience. With a GIA certification and an instinctive eye for design, she set out to disrupt the traditional showroom model. Her goal was direct: co-create timeless diamond and gemstone pieces without inflated prices or cold sales tactics — just lab-certified quality, competitive pricing, and emotional value.

Dr. Maria Rodriguez knows what it means to be separated from family, language, and familiarity — and to rebuild from that pain with purpose. As a young girl navigating life between the Dominican Republic and the United States, Maria’s early years were marked by dislocation, emotional upheaval, and resilience. Today, that lived experience forms the heartbeat of Care Counseling Center, the mental health sanctuary she founded in Somerville, USA, for immigrants, trauma survivors,

For many survivors, healing doesn’t end when the hospital doors close — that’s when the real journey begins. Kelly Dodds, founder of Ori Rehab Limited, understands that recovery from cancer and cardiac illness can be an isolating, often overlooked phase. So she built something different: a digital health platform that walks alongside patients every step of the way — not just during treatment, but long after.

The management guru Peter Drucker famously said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." For Leila Rao, founder of AgileXtended, that isn’t just wisdom — it’s her daily mission. While companies plaster values on walls, she saw firsthand that true culture is something you live, not just declare. With AgileXtended, Leila has built a consulting practice that moves businesses beyond buzzwords, helping them transform culture into their greatest strategic edge.

Some businesses are born out of opportunity. Others, like Jessie Dhaliwal’s Solidarity Therapy, are born out of necessity — and heart. Growing up as the eldest daughter of immigrants and identifying as a queer woman of colour, Jessie knew firsthand how hard it was to find spaces that truly felt safe. So, she built one. At Solidarity Therapy in Langley, British Columbia, Jessie and her team are doing more than offering therapy sessions. They are “dismantling oppressive syst

Not all success stories begin with perfect timing. Some, like Larysa Hale’s, begin when the world seems completely against you. Graduating into the 2008 financial collapse, moving countries during Brexit, and steering a business through a global pandemic, Larysa didn't just survive — she thrived. Today, Expert Circle stands as a testament to her resilience, helping professionals and businesses alike become “trusted, respected voices in their industries.”

When the world paused, Laura Meredith pressed "start." Amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 lockdown, when businesses crumbled and remote work was a shaky experiment, Laura saw opportunity—not just for herself, but for others struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Today, her company Ryedaura is a trusted partner to small businesses, proving that “bookkeeping isn't just balancing numbers; it's unlocking growth.”

When your world shatters, what anchors you? For Maryna Mazan, it was the ocean. Displaced from her home in Ukraine by war, she found herself on the shores of Portugal, facing both despair and beauty. The waves became her refuge—and soon, the foundation for a purpose-driven business that would touch brands and communities worldwide. Today, through MyOceanOne Inc., Maryna helps companies blend sustainability with business goals, proving that “even the smallest voices can cre

Before Juliana VanLaanen became the founder of an award-winning toy company, she was simply a mom on a mission. She wasn't searching for mass-produced toys cluttering her home; she was seeking something deeper—imagination, nature, and meaningful connection. That small but powerful desire sparked 2MamaBees, a brand that's now redefining childhood play across America. In 2019, what began as a humble Etsy store quickly blossomed into a luxury toy company. But for Juliana, suc

When Caroline Garnham first started practicing law, she wasn’t chasing introductions—she was chasing understanding. Years later, that mindset would drive her to create something the professional world desperately needed: Caroline’s Club, a platform where connections are built not by job titles, but by shared client needs.

When Natalie MacLees wrote her first lines of code, she wasn’t dreaming of becoming a founder—she just wanted to build something useful. But over the years, her keyboard became a tool of advocacy. After seeing firsthand how inaccessible the internet was for people with disabilities, she knew she couldn’t just walk away. What began as a concern became a calling—and that calling became AAArdvark, a digital accessibility platform helping companies across the globe build inclusiv

When the world paused to watch startups scale overnight, Bhumika Vagrecha quietly built two. Not from privilege. Not from a tech pedigree. But from conviction—and the kind of grit that doesn’t show up on pitch decks. At just 30, she holds dual titles that would intimidate most seasoned founders: Founder of FinMind Corporation, a Delaware-based fintech AI firm transforming credit risk analysis, and Evoltec Solutions, a Bahrain-based tech startup bringing smart ERP systems t

In 2020, when millions faced uncertainty, Lori faced reinvention. After losing her corporate job, she was left with a question many women ask in silence: “What now?” Instead of chasing stability, she brewed something far more powerful— Black•ology Coffee Company, a brand rooted in identity, inclusion, and inspiration. From her living room, Lori launched more than a business. She crafted a movement—a company that pours passion, purpose, and representation into every bag of

In 2010, from Belleville, Ontario, Tanya launched Cloud Business Services Inc. not just as another accounting shop, but as a lifeline for small and medium-sized businesses struggling to keep up with messy books and manual processes. Her mission? Simplify small business finance using technology, empathy, and strategy. What began as a traditional bookkeeping service quickly evolved into a tech-forward, cloud-first powerhouse, offering:

Freedom From PCOS takes a holistic, root-cause approach — combining mindset transformation, emotional well-being, stress management, and whole foods nutrition to balance hormones naturally. Workshops, private coaching, community support, and powerful tracking tools are built into the program — ensuring women not only heal but also celebrate their progress.

Divya’s entrepreneurial journey began not in boardrooms, but on the stage. A passionate theatre artist and filmmaker, she launched Balancing Act in 2003 as a theatre production house with a social heartbeat — producing award-winning plays like A Personal War – Stories of the Mumbai Terror Attacks, a globally recognized work that raised funds for the Mumbai Police.

Sometimes, the best ideas don’t chase trends — they honor tradition.For Ragini Mishra Roy, founder of Varanga under Keshvi Fashion LLP, it was never about simply starting another clothing label. It was about creating ethnic wear that feels timeless yet effortless for the modern Indian woman. In a nation where fashion is deeply emotional, Ragini saw a critical gap — contemporary Indian women craved outfits that respected heritage without sacrificing comfort.Rather than foll

Some companies are born from opportunity. Others are born from purpose. For Sonal Singh, founder of Rian Placements in Hyderabad, it was always about purpose — to change lives one career at a time. In a world where the right job can transform a life, and the right hire can transform a company, Sonal saw recruitment not as a transaction, but as a mission. What began as a boutique recruitment firm has evolved into a trusted manpower consultancy, offering end-to-end solutions

Priyanka Rupani didn’t chase fame when she launched Social Beam in Hyderabad. She built it on a powerful fusion: data-driven strategy mixed with authentic creativity. Her mission was simple yet profound — to help brands move beyond vanity metrics and build real, lasting connections in an ever-scrolling digital world. Today, Social Beam stands as a full-service digital marketing powerhouse, helping businesses of all sizes find and amplify their true voice online.

At 44, while most around her were settling into routines, Bindhu Vinosh chose to begin again. Armed with a newly earned IT degree and a relentless spirit, she founded Webscicle Technology Solutions Pvt Ltd in Thrissur, Kerala. In a few short years, she transformed her fledgling company into a rising force in IT and digital marketing, proving that grit, life experience, and a thirst for learning can turn any dream into reality — no matter when you start.

HiWiPay: Solving Real Problems for Real Students While advancing her career, Geeta identified a glaring gap — international money transfers for education were cumbersome, costly, and stacked against middle-class families. Thus, HiWiPay was born. HiWiPay simplifies overseas education payments through a digital-first platform and mobile app, offering streamlined transactions, secure KYC storage in India, wholesale FX rates, and zero hidden fees. Students can complete trans

Some journeys begin with a plan. Snigdha Singh’s journey began with a question: Can technology tell better stories instead of just making more noise? Years ago, while brands battled for shrinking attention spans and digital spaces became increasingly crowded, Snigdha saw an overlooked truth. People didn’t want more ads. They wanted stories that moved them.Armed with equal parts technological expertise and artistic instinct, she founded IIC Interactive Labs (Ink In Caps) —

Preeti Sharma, founder of Pragati Software Pvt. Ltd., understood early that in tech, success isn’t just about systems—it’s about people who never stop learning. More than thirty years ago, when IT training was a niche concept in India, Sharma envisioned a company that would empower not just skills, but careers. Today, Pragati Software stands among India's most trusted IT training providers, built on a foundation of tenacity, innovation, and unwavering relevance.

In a world where students are often measured by marks rather than potential, Anita Katyal Rane dared to ask a different question: What if we helped students find careers they could thrive in, not just colleges they could attend? That question led to the founding of Proventus Education in 2013—a Mumbai-based career counseling and education advisory firm committed to helping students discover their true calling.