In conversation with Stuti Ashok Gupta
As a homegrown brand we love learning from people around us! And our adventures as a brand give us a chance to connect to so many beautiful people on a lot of different levels! Our guest for today is someone who never ceases to inspire us! Her #LettersToFindMe series has our heart and her words bring us warmth even on the darkest days! She lives by the line - to make living itself an art and we resonate it to the fullest. We are so excited to welcome Stuti Ashok Gupta - an Entrepreneur, Writer and Psychotherapist to our virtual space! Read on to know more about her journey as she wears so many hats on a daily basis.
1) Starting with the obvious first, tell us about your journey as a digital creator and also as an entrepreneur.
I got introduced to Instagram back in 2012, as it was an in built app on my HTC phone. Since then, I have used it to document my life. In 2014, when I started travelling - it became a medium for storytelling and sharing poetry.
In 2015, I published my first book Sublimation, a collection of poems written on Instagram.
I don't think I knew the capacity of social media, until 2016 when I started a chain of backpackers hostel - The Lost Tribe in Manali and Goa. We decided to launch an art festival - so I designed a basic poster and published it on all Facebook groups I was added to. It was a great successful.
In 2017, I joined Amrutam full time. Amrutam was started by my parents, in 2006, and for 11 years it worked as a manufacturing unit for herbal medicines which were then prescribed by doctors. My brother and I rebranded Amrutam, and launched it as a DTC online brand.
Having a fair number of followers on my personal account helped me establish the initial community or as we call it Amrutam Family. In just 4 years, we have been internationally recognised, shipped to 40+ countries, talked about by celebs like Shilpa Shetty and Vidya Balan, and have a strong team working remotely across the globe.
I don’t know if I can call myself a digital creator, but I continue to share my life stories on my Instagram account. While the whole experience has really helped me grow Amrutam’s account to what it is now - about 66k humans and counting.
2) Out of all the roles you play, which one is your favourite and why?
I love the fact that I get to change so many hats in the day. From being a part time psychologist to a full time entrepreneur- my work has several facets to it. It’s really hard to choose one, but I genuinely enjoy working on new ideas and projects. That’s the main reason why I feel so grateful for my role at Amrutam that helps me learn and yet, challenges me every day to grow.
3) Do you believe in having routines? What does a day in your life look like?
I am a creature of habit, but at the same time, I dread monotony. So I have three kinds of typical days. I love waking up early, I even tried my hand at waking up at 4 am, and I can’t even begin to describe what that time of the day looks like. Morning time is very serene, and calming for me. I spend some family time, have a litre of water, tea, hop on my yoga mat and just flow.
I work the whole day, either at home, in office or at the factory. I also spend a significant time working as a digital nomad - staying and working somewhere close to nature. I like spending my evenings unwinding with long drives, listening to good music and write my heart out.
I think having a certain structure to your day really helps you stay disciplined. Stuff like drinking water first thing in the morning or that I don’t eat before bathing, are few things that also contribute to a strong will power.
4) What inspires you to stay creative/motivated?
I try to find inspiration in anything and everything. But being close to natural elements is the greatest source of inspiration for me.
5) A myth that is attached to being an entrepreneur that you would like to burst!
The biggest myth is that you must be a perfectionist. I think perfectionism is overrated. Consistency will always win over excellence.
6) What does success mean to you?
I look at success as a journey of several milestones. I like feeling accomplished in my day to day work. Small steps build up to big dreams. I am yet to figure out what it means to me, but I think to be able to live life on my own terms (more importantly, having that self awareness) is a good sign of achievement.
Let's have a little more fun before we let you go. Answer these in one word/sentence.
1) One word that describes you the best: Dreamer
2) If you were to write a song what would the title be:
Haha. Think I must have thought of so many things before. But right now I can only think of one title - Long way to go
3) An Instagram account you cannot go without stalking
I absolutely love @morganharpernichols and I’d love to learn to illustrate like her! I also like @madovermarketing_mom, @thelazyinsomniac and @aawaari have been working with Amrutam for a few years now but I totally adore their work and their feed!
4) What is that one thing you do to get yourself out of a jam:
I usually go for a trip somewhere when I need headspace. If I can’t do that, then I sleep on it and not push myself too much in that moment/time period. Otherwise, I love dancing, painting as well as yoga works like magic too. Letting my creative juices flowing makes things better, always.
5) Your go-to band/ song that always makes you feel better: Krishna Das
6) What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?: Loss is the world’s best teacher. Never be afraid of failing at something.
7) If you had to work but didn't need the money, what would you choose to do? I’d still do, what I’m currently doing
8) A motto you live by: No expectations. Only good intentions.
9) A book that you cannot recommend enough:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Simple and crisp.