I belong to a Marwari family; all my family members are involved in various businesses in some form or the other. Coming to my Educational background, for higher studies I went to Coventry University (MBA, Finance), graduated from Mumbai University in BA, Economics. I also did a diploma in Visual Communication Design from B.D. Somani Institute of Art and Fashion Technology. Attended school from The Lawrence School, Lovedale and a day college. Being sent off to boarding school wasn’t my decision, but it definitely helped me build character and gain a new perspective on life. It taught me the importance of grit - and in many ways, survival. As for my further education, it was really just for the display of it all. I was already passionate about and deep into my career by the time I had begun university. Though I did learn important life skills and further enhanced my entrepreneurial skills, being immersed in the field is what truly influenced me.

Well, the initial idea for JetSetGo came up in a conversation with a colleague in the UK. I narrated an idea that I had about setting up a thriving aviation company, born out of India, not aimed at making my colleague laugh out loud, but that’s just what happened. Being Indian and adamant, I was determined to prove him, and everybody else that thought along the same lines, wrong. When I first entered the industry at the age of 17, I was passionate and driven, and envisioned a future for India’s private aviation market. Through analysing the market, I identified the two main concerns of jet owners across the nation: inconsistent service and the lack of return on investment. Thus, that’s when I realised the opportunity of making it more profitable and efficient to own a private jet by promising true end-to-end management - in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Traditionally dominated by men, the aviation sector is not an easy place to break into. Initially it took time for people to take me seriously for the business I am in. I’ve definitely received far too many backhanded compliments and prejudiced comments that have all implied that I don’t belong in this space. At the onset of my entrepreneurial journey I did receive varied advice such as I should set up a bakery and start baking cupcakes. People told me that aviation was not my cup of tea and I should instead take up a business which is into making clothes. Someone during the inception days of JetSetGo told me that I should rethink my decision of venturing into the aviation space as it would be difficult to continue once I get married and have kids. People told me a host of things that girls do not become pilots and I shouldn’t waste my time pursuing my dream coming from a traditional Marwari family.  Sometimes when I am assertive, I am considered arrogant whereas a man being more assertive than me is considered passionate. But these are very non-consequential things. I did receive a series of advice during my entrepreneurial journey. It’s very easy, as a woman, to feel like you do not belong in this exclusive, only-boys-allowed private aviation club. The intensity of the corporate world’s glass ceiling first hit me when I was in a boardroom filled with over a hundred men. I was, to my surprise, the only woman in the room. I quickly realized that to feel intimidated would be an injustice to myself and other women whose dreams were waiting to be turned into reality. When I spoke, the men did feel intimidated. However, on a day-to-day basis, there are only the challenges of the market to confront. Competition is fierce but JetSetGo is fiercer!

I love what I do; I’m excited to head to work every morning and when I’m worried about something in my personal life, you can always find me working at the office. In other words, JetSetGo is my balance in the larger picture. Work life balance for me is more like what my priority at that moment is. If it's work, it will be work 24/7 and if I wish to relax and just switch off everything else, it would be that. I believe that an effective goal setting and an uncluttered mind always lead to a productive day. Plan ahead so you always know what to cross off your list next; I love what I do, so I enter the office every morning with only my goals for the day on my mind. From there, it’s just about knocking out those deadlines and soaring above everyone’s expectations.

Belonging from a typical marwari family, I always knew, from a very young age, that I would be running a business of my own at some point in my life. Though my parents were all prepared to pack me off into a ‘nice Marwari family,’ which would have put my chances of doing business near zero, they have been incredibly supportive since JetSetGo was founded. However, there have been numerous accounts of gender-based inequality during my journey. Whether it was recognising that I was the only woman in a boardroom of over a hundred men, being asked to serve businessmen coffee because they hadn’t done their research about me or JetSetGo ahead of time, or observing the serious dearth of women as decision-makers or board members in companies, the list is endless. I quickly came to realise that to reach the same position that a man held, I would have to work ten times harder than he did, simply because of unrealistic gender stereotypes or implicit biases. But things are changing gradually and we are seeing a cultural shift in values, which is a good thing.

Life will always throw some curveballs your way. Some of us like to call that fate or destiny, while others roll with the punches and make sure to stay at least ten steps ahead of the game of life itself. All I can say is, I’ve learned to take each and every no, turn it into a yes, and use it as a stepping stone to success. This has been my mantra; you can’t plan everything, but you can be prepared, determined, and confident.

At the onset of my entrepreneurial journey, I did receive varied advice such as I should set up a bakery and start baking cupcakes. People told me that aviation was not my cup of tea and I should instead take up a business which is into making clothes. Someone during the inception days of JetSetGo told me that I should rethink about my decision of venturing into the aviation space as it would be difficult to continue once I get married and have kids. People told me a host of things that girls do not become pilots and I shouldn’t waste my time pursuing my dream coming from a traditional Marwari family. Putting up such questions or giving such advice has always annoyed me.

We aim to further stimulate the surge in India’s private aviation sector. By 2026, our nation is expected to become the third largest in the aviation sector in the world, and JetSetGo will undoubtedly be there - leading the private jet revolution and cementing India’s place in the big leagues. In the future, JetSetGo plans to operate a private jet shuttle service between smaller airports, ensuring zero waiting periods and the shortest flying times achievable. We also are going to have EV Tolls, where we believe that the third dimension, the sky, is the future of transport. Going forward, we want to pioneer air taxis in India. We wish to make it possible for the clients to wake up in Delhi, board an air taxi to that meeting across the city, then reach Shanghai for an important luncheon, and even surprise a loved one in London by sunset. Finally, JetSetGo will have them home in Delhi by nightfall.

It is always such a privilege to speak with young aspiring women who hope to be leaders someday leading their own firms. I think they most need to know that brilliant businesses were not built on money, but on great people and great ideas. The first step is for women to assume that most things in their lives are negotiable—that they don't have to accept the status quo as fixed and rigid and settle for whatever they're offered. When I started my venture, I received all sorts of advice from baking cupcakes to making clothes to getting married. A lot of people will say a lot of things–ignore the noise and keep marching. We will have to get used to hearing a lot of No’s, we just don’t need to get used to accepting them. Remember performance is the only thing that matters. What people think or say is irrelevant to the bling of the dollar in your top and bottom line. Only you can stop yourself from conquering the world. Go dominate that male-dominated industry-they won’t even know what hit them. Also, for entrepreneurs the pace of business is gruelling and the energy required is exhausting, be prepared to exercise your brain daily. When there’s a lot of work be full of gratitude as when something becomes easy or routine clearly states you are not growing, so for growth, you will have to walk the extra mile and put in extra hours. Be Resilient. Successful businesses were not built on money, but on great people and great ideas. When stepping into the world of business, have a calculated vision. Why are you doing what you want to do? Do you have a passion for it? If you don’t, find something else that makes you want to wake up in the morning and bolt to the office. Tears, blood, and sweat are all part of the game; no one said it was going to be easy, no matter how much you believe in your mission. Stay curious. Keep learning. Don’t lose your drive.