Lucknow: Aparna Mishra’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to empowering women. Having built an illustrious career by serving top brands such as The Times of India, Reliance, and Revlon, she gained invaluable hands-on experience before embarking on her entrepreneurial path in 2008. Her ventures have been diverse, including the successful launch of her own call center, which she had to shut down due to unforeseen tragedy. However, her relentless spirit led her to establish WomenShine, a digital magazine, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, she is also actively involved in startup consultancy, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs towards success.
WomenShine Chamber of Commerce and Udgam
Aparna is at the forefront of an entrepreneurial revolution through the WomenShine Chamber of Commerce. This organization fosters an inclusive business environment for women entrepreneurs. One of its standout initiatives is Udgam, a unique event exclusively dedicated to the women members of the Chamber. Over the past five years, Aparna’s empowerment efforts have positively impacted numerous individuals, providing them with opportunities for growth and networking.
Udgam is not just an exhibition but a platform for business growth, community engagement, and networking. It facilitates product sales aligned with consumer preferences, ensuring direct market interaction. This year’s event will host around 50 stalls covering a wide range of products, including ethnic wear, suits, sarees, handicrafts, crochet items, astrology services, tarot readings, energy solutions, gem artisanship, Pakistani suits, and Lucknow’s famous Chikankari embroidery.
Additionally, Udgam will serve as the launchpad for a special 30-page edition of WomenShine, highlighting notable figures from Lucknow. As a highly publicized event, Udgam stands as a testament to women-led business initiatives. It is an exclusive event conceptualized, organized, and managed entirely by women, focusing particularly on apparel, textiles, and home decor.
WomenShine Chamber’s Larger Vision
Beyond Udgam, the WomenShine Chamber of Commerce conducts regular monthly networking meets and business exchange plans, bringing together buyers and sellers. The Chamber is also committed to aligning its initiatives with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that women entrepreneurs contribute meaningfully to economic and social sustainability.
Aparna Mishra’s Entrepreneurial Philosophy
As an entrepreneur, Aparna emphasizes clarity of thought and the importance of a strong intent. She observes that corporate support for startups in the city is still limited, posing challenges for emerging businesses. In her role as a startup consultant, she advises aspiring entrepreneurs to recognize that funding takes time and patience. Personal investments are often necessary before a business reaches the stage where it can attract external funding.
Aparna also highlights the need for adaptability, urging business owners to tweak their strategies in response to market demands. She believes that innovation in the tech space, organic products, recycling, and sustainability will define the future of entrepreneurship.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear:
- Have a well-defined purpose driven by passion.
- Be prepared to take calculated risks.
- Develop resilience and a strong professional network.
- Communicate effectively and leverage available platforms to promote your business.
- Cultivate a business acumen that is both strategic and instinctive.
Above all, she encourages entrepreneurs to embrace collaboration, as it is the key to success in today’s dynamic business landscape. Aparna Mishra continues to be a formidable force in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, driving change and fostering a culture of empowerment and business excellence.
