Some entrepreneurs build businesses, while others build communities. Soma Gupta, Founder of Ghumakkad and Ahilya, belongs firmly to the latter. With over two decades of experience in academia, a professional background as a Certified Nutrition Advisor, and a steadfast commitment to social impact, she has transformed her purpose into initiatives that empower women, promote holistic health, and create meaningful experiences for neurodiverse children and their families.
Based in Pune, Maharashtra, Soma’s entrepreneurial journey is guided by a simple yet powerful belief: true success is measured by the positive impact one creates in people’s lives. Through her ventures—Ghumakkad and Ahilya—she has demonstrated that entrepreneurship can be both sustainable and deeply compassionate.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Prior to entering entrepreneurship, Soma spent several years in academia, mentoring students and contributing to their intellectual and personal development. While this role was deeply fulfilling, she felt a stronger calling to address broader societal challenges that often go unaddressed.
Her personal experiences in health and wellness, combined with her observations of the challenges faced by families raising neurodiverse children and women striving to establish themselves professionally, inspired her to develop meaningful, solution-oriented initiatives. Rather than waiting for change, she chose to become an active catalyst for it.
This conviction led to the establishment of Ghumakkad and Ahilya, an organization dedicated to health, inclusion, and women’s empowerment.
Creating Impact Through Three Core Initiatives
Soma’s entrepreneurial vision is reflected across three interconnected domains.
As a Certified Nutrition Advisor, she advocates for preventive healthcare, guiding individuals toward healthier lifestyles through practical, sustainable nutrition and wellness practices.
Through Ahilya, she has built a platform that enables women entrepreneurs to network, collaborate, learn, showcase their businesses, and grow collectively. The initiative fosters confidence while strengthening the broader ecosystem for women-led enterprises.
Her most personally meaningful initiative, Ghumakkad, is dedicated to designing inclusive travel and experiential programs for neurodiverse children and their families. Moving beyond a therapy-centric approach, Ghumakkad emphasizes exploration, confidence-building, social connection, and enriching life experiences.
Collectively, these initiatives reflect Soma’s belief that healthier individuals, empowered women, and inclusive communities are fundamental to a progressive society.
Building Trust Before Building a Brand
Like many impactful ventures, Ghumakkad began with significant challenges.
In its early stages, many parents were hesitant to trust a concept that encouraged neurodiverse children to participate in travel and experiential activities. Rather than being discouraged, Soma personally engaged with families, listened to their concerns, built relationships, and gradually earned their trust through consistent empathy and transparency.
Over time, that trust became the foundation of her work.
Today, the joy of children who fondly refer to her as “Soma Aunty” and cherish the experiences they have shared remains her most meaningful achievement—far surpassing any formal recognition.
Leadership Built on Service
When asked to define her leadership philosophy, Soma responds with a single word: Service.
She believes that effective leadership is not defined by authority, but by the ability to stand alongside people, learn with them, and support their growth at every stage. This philosophy is evident in her approach to team management, where she leads by example and fosters collaboration rather than hierarchy.
Her customer-centric approach ensures that every program is thoughtfully designed and every participant receives a personalized experience—an aspect she considers a key differentiator of her work.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Working closely with neurodiverse children and their families has provided Soma with profound life lessons.
She has learned that patience often achieves what pressure cannot. She has also witnessed remarkable resilience among parents and educators who continue to persevere despite ongoing challenges. These experiences have deepened her empathy and reinforced her belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive beyond perceived limitations.
For Soma, entrepreneurship has never been solely about problem-solving—it has been about cultivating enduring human connections.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Soma envisions expanding the reach and impact of the Ghumakkad and Ahilya while further strengthening its community-driven initiatives. A key milestone in this journey is Ekrang 3.0, which reflects her continued commitment to building larger platforms for inclusion, collaboration, and meaningful social engagement.
Her long-term vision remains clear: to create a society where health, inclusion, and empowerment are not aspirations, but everyday realities.
Inspiration Beyond Success
Soma draws inspiration from women entrepreneurs across diverse industries, as well as from the resilience of parents of neurodiverse children, whose strength continues to motivate her daily, and from her mentors who have stood by her in all stages of her life.
Books such as The Magic of Thinking Big, The 5 AM Club, and You Can Heal Your Life have shaped her perspective. Her disciplined personal routine—encompassing reading, Vipassana meditation, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and intentional self-care—enables her to sustain the energy required to lead with purpose.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Reflecting on her journey, Soma shares three enduring principles:
– Trust your instincts and remain committed to your vision, even in the face of differing opinions.
– Seek mentors who are genuinely invested in your growth and well-being, not just your outcomes.
– Prioritize physical and mental health, as the quality of your decisions is directly influenced by your overall well-being.
Leaving a Legacy of Inclusion
If there is one misconception Soma hopes to challenge, it is the belief that neurodiverse children lack understanding or capability. She firmly believes they possess exceptional intelligence and unique potential when supported with empathy, patience, and appropriate guidance.
Ultimately, Soma Gupta aspires to be remembered not for building a brand, but for fostering a culture that celebrates people as they are. Through her work in health, empowerment, compassion, and inclusion, she continues to demonstrate that entrepreneurship is most powerful when it transforms lives.
For Soma, success is defined simply yet profoundly: to remain authentic, give her best each day, and contribute to a world where every individual feels seen, valued, and celebrated.
