Saumya Vardhan: The Girl Who Quit a High Paying Job to Perform Pujas Online

September 15, 20213 Minutes Read
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It is said that if you believe in your dreams, follow them. Money will automatically come in. Saumya’s success story is a classic example of this.

When Saumya decided to start her business, she had two objectives in mind:

  1. Establish a profitable business

  2. Keep the culture and traditions of India alive and make it easy for people to access them.

    At that time, Saumya was working as a consultant for KPMG in London.

    But, she decided to quit and follow her dream of starting a website for conducting pujas online. It's called -- Shubhpuja.com.

Today, Saumya has achieved both these objectives very well and has many awards and nominations to her credit, such as:

  • Femina Women Super Achiever Award

  • Being among the only 2 out of 900 startups in India to be awarded Equity free seed funding

  • Digital Women Entrepreneur of 2016

  • Featured in Top 30 Women Entrepreneurs redefining the digital space in India by SheThePeople.TV

  • Nomination for Silicon Valley 40 under 40

    Apart from India, Shubhpuja.com has customers all the way from Russia, USA to Hong Kong, Singapore and UK! With Saumya as its head! And Saumya has even more ambitious plans!

    She says, "We plan to make Shubhpuja.com an equivalent of Shaadi.com in religion e-commerce market. We plan to double our sales team to reach out to a wider audience!"

How it all started….

It was a sad incident that led to Saumya starting her own business, though. A friend's father passed away, and most of the family lived abroad while some were in India.

The entire family, however, had to struggle while organizing the rituals for the cremation process. That is when Saumya realized how difficult it is for many people to get Indian rituals done authentically.

As a girl, there are many things that Saumya inspires us to do…

  • Being proactive and brave:

    It could have been easier for Saumya to stick to her job as a high paying consultant in London. Instead, Saumya decided to be brave enough to pursue her dreams. She decided to take the risk and start her own venture.

    Today, Saumya has a system where Customers from anywhere in the world can schedule and participate in rituals in India through Skype or Facetime. These rituals are customized for each individual. They are conducted in Sanskrit as per the tradition.

    The requirements for the puja -- offerings, garlands and all other things are handled by ShubhPuja.com. The customer only has to log in! The priests conduct the ceremony online as per the rituals.

  • Using Social Media

    Saumya has started her own blog to spread awareness around ancient rituals and the scientific rationale and logic around them.

    Her idea is to bring to the people the actual knowledge and logic around these rituals. This also keeps people safe from falling prey to scams and scandals.

    Click here to check out our free online courses on Social Media!

    Being digitally savvy, knowing how to use social media effectively is the need of the hour. Many companies that look for candidates with these skills. If you wish to learn these skills, Glow and Lovely has free online courses that help you get a better understanding of Social media and digital platforms.

    If you wish to know more about our free online courses on digital media, click here!

  • Constantly upgrading her knowledge and skills.

    To ensure quality and genuine service to her customers, Saumya also took a two-year course in astrology and is now a qualified astrologer herself!

    "I realized I had to in order to be able to figure out who is saying the right thing," she says. "Now people acknowledge I know what I'm talking about."

    Along with managing her business, Saumya is also learning Vastu Shastra and numerology.

  • Confidence and belief in her own capabilities

    Confidence is the key -- whether it is for Saumya or other girls like Saumya.

    It was Saumya's confidence and belief in her own capabilities that allowed her to take a risk, follow her dreams and launch something as unique as ShubhPuja.com.

    You can click here to see how personality development tutorials help build your confidence.

    It's free of cost!

    Constantly upgrading one's skills, taking up online courses, using social media effectively, having a good personality..... all help one gain confidence.

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February 19, 20242 Minutes Read

Social Entrepreneurship: Women Driving Impactful Change in India

A powerful force is reshaping communities and driving positive change -- women-led social entrepreneurship . As the narrative of entrepreneurship evolves, so does the role of women who are not just creating businesses but building ventures with a profound impact on society. Let's explore the realm of women's entrepreneurship and the significant strides in social entrepreneurship .

Social entrepreneurship is about harnessing the power of business to address social and environmental challenges. In India, many women embrace this approach, positioning themselves as business leaders and catalysts for positive change. Their ventures aim not just for profit but also for meaningful impact on the communities they serve.

The landscape of women entrepreneurship in India is growing, with female entrepreneurs actively participating in diverse sectors, including social entrepreneurship. This shift is breaking stereotypes and showcasing the multifaceted roles women can play as business leaders with a mission beyond just financial gains.

One compelling aspect of this transformation is the variety of startup ideas for women in social entrepreneurship. From ventures addressing healthcare disparities to those focused on education, women are bringing innovative solutions to the forefront. These ventures are not just about economic empowerment but about creating sustainable change in the fabric of society.

Social entrepreneurship ideas are often born from a deep understanding of local challenges. As the architects of many of these initiatives, women bring a unique perspective to problem-solving. Whether providing access to clean water, improving healthcare facilities, or promoting sustainable agriculture, these entrepreneurs are at the forefront of impactful change.

The intersection of entrepreneur ideas for women and social entrepreneurship creates a space where purpose-driven businesses thrive. Women are not just looking for financial success; they seek ways to contribute meaningfully to society. The spirit of collaboration and community building is embedded in their ventures, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collective well-being.

One notable example is Preeti Singh, a social entrepreneur who founded a venture focused on menstrual hygiene in rural India. Her initiative addresses a critical health issue and empowers women by providing them with sustainable and affordable solutions. Preeti's story represents the transformative potential of women's entrepreneurship in tackling societal challenges.

The emphasis on social entrepreneurship among women is also generating a ripple effect regarding mentorship and support networks. Established female entrepreneurs are actively encouraging and guiding the next generation. This mentorship is crucial in nurturing a culture of innovation and resilience among women venturing into social entrepreneurship.

The momentum of women entrepreneurship in social impact ventures is not just a trend; it signifies a paradigm shift in how businesses operate in India. Organisations and institutions recognise women's value in terms of empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of community needs.

The rise of social entrepreneurship driven by women in India is a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven businesses. As more women explore and invest in entrepreneurial ideas for women that focus on social impact, the future promises a more equitable and sustainable society. These women entrepreneurs are not just building businesses but driving impactful change and leaving an indelible mark on the nation's socio-economic fabric.

At Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation), we believe in empowering women to be independent. We provide online career guidance, existing jobs and other online courses to help them nurture their dream of driving social entrepreneurship in India.