Anushruti Singh
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who challenge the norm, break stereotypes, and redefine leadership—women like Neha Abhinav Bansal, Founder of Ayurvedic Sutra. From navigating the world of banking to building a thriving Ayurveda-based wellness brand, Neha’s entrepreneurial story is one of passion, resilience, and authenticity.
In this exclusive interview, Neha shares the watershed moment in her entrepreneurial journey, the power of bootstrapping, and her vision for Ayurvedic Sutra’s future. She also talks about the lessons she has learned, the advice she never followed, and the secret ingredients that keep her going.
Join us as we dive into her journey—one that’s not just about building a brand, but about reviving traditions, creating impact, and inspiring more women to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
Edited excerpts:
From the banking sector to the wellness sector—what prompted you to take the leap into entrepreneurship? Was this transition challenging?
My passion for holistic wellness and Ayurveda inspired me to take the leap into entrepreneurship and start Ayurvedic Sutra. After leaving the banking sector, I found myself drawn towards my Indian roots, especially Ayurveda, which resonated deeply with me. This was my first start-up after leaving the job that was related to handicrafts. While the transition was definitely a shift, it felt like a natural progression as my heart was always inclined toward wellness and preserving traditional practices.
What was the watershed moment in your entrepreneurial journey?
The moment we received our first set of positive customer testimonials. Seeing people trust and benefit from Ayurvedic Sutra reaffirmed my decision and pushed me to scale the business further.
What’s one tough decision you had to make that shaped your business?
Running a bootstrapped business was one of the toughest decisions I had to make, but it ultimately shaped my brand’s journey. While external funding was tempting, relying on our own resources ensured that we stayed true to our core values and vision. This approach allowed us to maintain full control over our brand identity, make strategic decisions without external pressure, and focus on long-term, sustainable growth.
What’s the secret ingredient or person that keeps you motivated on tough days?
My family and team. They remind me about why I started and push me to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.
As a woman entrepreneur, what’s the weirdest piece of advice you’ve ever received? (And did you follow it?)
Someone once told me to “act tougher” to be taken seriously. I believe in authenticity, so I never followed that advice. Being empathetic and firm can go hand in hand.
As a wellness brand owner, how do you balance being a boss and being you? Any self-care rituals that keep you sane?
Ayurvedic sutra is not just my business; it’s a part of my lifestyle. I start my day by pampering myself by doing my skincare using Ayurvedic Sutra’s products. These small rituals keep me grounded and focused.
This market is competitive. How well is Ayurveda Sutra performing, and what’s your revenue like?
We’ve seen steady growth with a strong customer base. While I won’t disclose exact numbers, we’ve been profitable and are expanding rapidly.
What’s the next big thing for you and your business? Any exciting projects in the pipeline? And do you have any expansion plans?
The next big thing for us is the launch of our quick commerce platform, which will allow us to deliver our products to customers faster and more efficiently. Additionally, we’re excited about the upcoming launch of a new product that will expand our offerings and meet the growing needs of our customers.
Also, we’re planning to expand our product line and enter new markets, both online and offline.
