Breaking Barriers and Building Legacies: A Tribute to the Women Entrepreneurs Setting New Benchmarks in Luxury, Tech, and Lifestyle

This Women Entrepreneurship Day, we are celebrating the trailblazers who turn bold ideas into impactful ventures, challenge the status quo, and open doors for others to follow. Fueled by creativity, resilience, and determination, these women entrepreneurs inspire aspiring leaders to chase their dreams with confidence, while proving that innovation, courage, and passion can drive both personal success and broader societal change.

1. Sonal C Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, Founder of Sonal Holland Academy and the India Wine & Spirits Awards

A pioneer in India’s wine and beverage industry, Sonal C Holland MW is the country’s only Master of Wine. Since earning the prestigious MW title in 2016, the first Indian to do so, she has spent over two decades making wine and beverage culture more accessible. She is also the Founder of Sonal Holland Academy and the India Wine & Spirits Awards. Along with this, she also advises global and Indian brands through Sohowines Consulting and curates premium experiences for corporates and networking groups. A certified expert in spirits, saké, and beer, Sonal is recognised among India’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Luxury and boasts over a million social media followers. 

2. Nidhi Gupta, Executive Director of Crossword Bookstores

Nidhi Gupta, Executive Director at Crossword Bookstores for over 15 years, is a powerhouse of strategy, merchandising, and marketing. With a Carnegie Mellon business degree, she blends academic rigour with a passion for literacy. Her five key contributions include: leading Crossword’s omnichannel transformation, positioning it as a cultural hub, championing young readers through tailored programs, fostering community engagement, and driving innovation that bridges online convenience with in-store warmth.

3. Priyanka Jain, Co-Founder & Director of Prasuk Jain Hospitality and Snow World Entertainment

Leading the way in India’s hospitality and entertainment industry, Priyanka Jain, Co-Founder & Director of Prasuk Jain Hospitality and Snow World Entertainment, has built a portfolio of iconic ventures, including Snow World, Formula Karting, The Game Palacio, and Amazonia. Combining innovative experiences with expert brand strategy, event curation, and creative storytelling, she has redefined how customers engage with hospitality and entertainment. An empathic leader, Priyanka fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture while inspiring growth, creativity, and excellence across all her ventures.

4. Eesha Sukhi, Founder of The BlueBop Cafe

With over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales across global brands, Eesha Sukhi brought her passion for food and hospitality to life by launching The BlueBop Café in 2019. Known for its top-quality cuisine, chic ambience, handcrafted cocktails, and live jazz and blues performances, BlueBop has earned multiple accolades, including the Restaurant India Award (2024 & 2025) and Times Food & Nightlife Awards (2020–2024). Having accomplished many milestones in her professional journey only pushed her towards her dream to enter the F&B sector & open her own distinctive restaurant in Nov 2019. Her years of experience, passion for food and creating a great customer experience are brought to life at The Bluebop Café.

5. Nikki Thakker, Founder of Entisi Chocolatier

Driven by a lifelong love for chocolate and a belief that India deserved world class craftsmanship, Nikki Thakker founded Entisi Chocolatier in 2017. Her focus on artisanal techniques, small-batch production, and using only the finest ingredients has helped redefine what premium, homegrown chocolate can be in India. Under her leadership, Entisi has grown into a nationally recognized luxury brand with 6 boutiques, global accolades and a loyal community that values quality and authenticity. As a young entrepreneur, Nikki continues to push the boundaries of Indian chocolate, making products that are thoughtful, refined, and rooted in exceptional craft.

6. Mitisha Mehta, Co-Founder of Aquatein

Mitisha Mehta, Co-founder of Aquatein, is a seasoned brand strategist with 14+ years of experience in visual communication and marketing. A Rachna Sansad graduate, she has shaped leading brands like Good Earth and Zoya, and led creative roles at Pavitra Rajaram Design and OghMa Design Studio. At Aquatein, she brings a sharp understanding of consumer behaviour and storytelling, redefining how wellness products are branded and experienced in India. She is spearheading India’s fitness revolution by transforming functional nutrition into an experience that seamlessly blends health, design, and everyday convenience.

These inspiring journeys demonstrate how vision, creativity, and relentless perseverance can transform ideas into reality. Through their work, they have not only set new standards of innovation and excellence but also created lasting impact in their industries, something that will be remembered for years to come.