A self made visionary turning vision into value
Wompreneurship in India is often about navigating a maze of resistance, social expectations, and gender bias. Gayatri Thakur’s journey is a remarkable example of how clarity, courage, and consistency can transform personal hurdles into powerful milestones. From being a young intern to leading a reputed consulting firm, she has built a legacy grounded in values, purpose, and impact.
Early Days: From PR Intern to Academy Director
Gayatri’s entrepreneurial spark ignited while pursuing Mass Communication at Punjab University in 2008. She began as an intern at a production house, later becoming a PR Executive. The management also launched a media school under the same umbrella, and Gayatri was soon appointed Academic Head, later overseeing both entities as Director by 2011. At just 23, she was managing a struggling company with limited funds.
With no formal business degree, she took charge through Zero Budget Marketing, leveraging her skills in guerrilla strategy, media relationships, and reputation management. That early victory affirmed her belief in the power of marketing and planted the seeds for her own venture. “I didn’t know all the business jargon, but I understood people and purpose. That’s what kept me going.”
The Birth of Ceyone Consultants LLP
Her journey took full entrepreneurial form with the founding of Ceyone Consultants LLP, a boutique business consulting firm offering research-based solutions across education, healthcare,
IT, and manufacturing. Ceyone thrives on the core value of “insight before action,” helping organizations uncover growth through research-driven marketing, sales consulting, political advisory, and impact assessments. “We don’t push cookie-cutter strategies. We listen, research deeply, and then design solutions,” she shares. Gayatri’s clients range from local startups to international organizations. Her team specializes in building brands that don’t just sell—they stand out with purpose.
Breaking Barriers of Age and Bias
Despite her growing expertise, Gayatri faced scepticism— mainly because of her age. “Being taken seriously was a struggle because of my young age as a consultant. Many assumed that youth meant inexperience, but I let my work prove them wrong,” she recalls. In an industry where grey hair is often equated with credibility, Gayatri consistently demonstrated results to earn respect and trust.
Giving Back with Purpose
Beyond profits, Gayatri believes in creating community. Through free workshops and monthly networking events, she enables knowledge-sharing between early-stage ventures and established brands. These initiatives foster growth, mentorship, and visibility for businesses that otherwise lack access to professional consulting. Her firm also offers affordable, customized models for clients with budget constraints—ensuring no visionary is left behind simply due to limited funds.
A Leap into Nanotechnology
In 2020, Gayatri expanded her vision with Nano-Vox, entering the nanotechnology space alongside her husband, a PhD scholar and gold medalist in the field. Together, they work with scientists to bring lab-scale innovations to commercial markets. “We help researchers turn prototypes and patents into viable products. Innovation shouldn’t stay confined to labs—it should reach people,” she says. This vertical bridges the gap between innovation and industry, empowering technologists to make real-world impact.
Motherhood Meets Management
Marriage brought fresh challenges, and motherhood demanded even more. Yet, Gayatri continued to lead from the front. “There’s no maternity leave for entrepreneurs. I returned to work three days after delivery. There was no time to pause—I had a team to lead and clients depending on me.”
Balancing sleepless nights with strategic decisions wasn’t glamorous. But it taught her empathy, patience, and sharper focus. “People glorify the ‘mompreneur’ tag, but it’s messy. Still, it made me a better leader—more intentional, more grounded,” she reflects.
Leadership with Integrity
Ceyone isn’t driven by vanity metrics. Gayatri values alignment over applause. She’s walked away from high-value projects when they didn’t align with her values or when she couldn’t commit at her best. “Sometimes I can’t work for ten days because my baby needs me. Instead of risking quality, I step back with honesty. I’m building something my child can be proud of—not just something that looks impressive online.” Her integrity stands out in a business world obsessed with growth at all costs.
Calling Out Gender Bias
Gayatri has also faced the silent bias of delayed payments. “Some clients assumed I must have financial support from my husband, so payments could wait. It was frustrating—not just for the delay but the mindset behind it,” she shares. She calls for a cultural shift in how women entrepreneurs are perceived and respected—where gender doesn’t determine the priority of work or payment.
Impact Over Scale
Today, Ceyone Consultants is a values-first consulting firm offering media, sales, impact, and political solutions to a wide variety of businesses. From social audits for NGOs to strategic campaigns for tech start-ups, the firm continues to grow—but only in alignment with Gayatri’s guiding principles. “I’ve restarted from zero. I’ve been underestimated. That’s why I’m committed to building something truly inclusive,” she says. Ceyone’s growing reputation is fuelled by empathy, integrity, and real results. Whether it’s a budding entrepreneur or a research scholar, Gayatri’s mission remains clear: empower with purpose, act with insight, and lead with heart.
In Conclusion
Gayatri Thakur’s journey is a compelling reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about resilience, responsibility, and relevance. Her story is one of balancing roles, breaking norms, and building businesses that don’t just grow but uplift others along the way. A true wompreneur in every sense, she continues to turn her challenges into impact— Gayatri Thakur and inspire countless others to do the same.
