At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Ashwini Bhavsar for an exclusive interview with us. Ashwini is an Entrepreneur and Founder at GiftBuds. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Ashwini:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
An IT engineer by qualification and a marketer by heart. After completing my MBA in Marketing, I started my career with SBILife. It was a well-settled corporate job, and everything looked perfect on paper. But somewhere deep inside, I felt a creative itch—a desire to do something of my own, something that truly reflected me.
That’s when GiftBudswas born. It wasn’t a random jump; I’ve always been fascinated by how gifting can be a powerful emotional and brand-building tool. I wanted to bring that meaning back into the way companies express appreciation—to employees, clients, and partners.
Starting out was not easy. There were days when it was just me — managing small orders, packing late into the night, learning everything on the go. But I wasn’t alone. Harshil – My husband stood by me like a quiet pillar, supporting me through every high and low.
Whether it was helping with deliveries, giving me the courage to dream bigger, or just listening when things felt too heavy — his belief in me never wavered.
And even today, every gift we curate carries that same thoughtfulness and personal attention that I believed in on day one.
‘GiftBuds’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
When I started GiftBuds, my focus was very clear—I wanted to build a company that added real meaning to the act of gifting. I didn’t spend too much time initially on the name, font, or branding. A friend casually suggested GiftBuds, and it instantly clicked.
Without overthinking, I began working under that name. From day one, GiftBuds was never a side hustle—it was always intended to be a company. But in the beginning, my priority was doing the work, building relationships, and understanding the market.
As the business grew, and I saw the consistent response and impact, I knew it was time to make it official. That’s when I registered the company and committed to building GiftBuds as a brand that stands for thoughtful, purposeful gifting.
Today, the name holds a special place it’s a reminder of starting with action, growing with intention, and staying true to the core purpose.
At GiftBuds, the problem we’re solving is simple, but often overlooked:
Corporate gifting had become transactional.
Companies were sending out generic, impersonal items just to tick a box. The result? Gifts that ended up in the trash or forgotten in drawers. There was no meaning, no connection—and definitely no brand impact.
That’s where we step in.
We help brands express their gratitude, culture, and personality through gifting. Whether it’s for employees, clients, or partners, we curate thoughtful, customised hampers that tell a story—your story.
We also solve the logistics pain point—coordinating pan-India and even international deliveries, managing bulk orders, handling birthdays, onboarding kits, festive gifting—all without the company having to chase vendors every month.
In short, we make gifting stress-free,purposeful,andmemorable—just the way it should be.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Honestly, it’s the meaning behind every gift we create.
Some days are really challenging—tight timelines, logistics issues, or unexpected last-minute changes. But then a client sends a message saying, “This made our event special” or “Our employees felt truly valued.” That’s when I remember: we’re not just packing products—we’re helping people feel seen and appreciated.
This business, GiftBuds, is something I’ve built with heart. Even during the hardest moments, I know I’m doing something that matters.
And while my twins are still little and don’t say much yet, I often think about the day they’ll look at what I’ve created and say, “Aai, you built something beautiful.” That thought alone is enough to keep me moving forward
Because in the end, I’m not just building a business, I’m building a story they’ll be proud to tell.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life
1) Start before you’re ready. Waiting for the perfect moment only delays progress. When I started GiftBuds, I didn’t have all the answers—but I had the intent, and that was enough. Action creates clarity.
2) People matter more than anything. Whether it’s clients, vendors, or my team, relationships have been the backbone of my journey. Kindness, trust, and understanding have taken me further than any strategy ever could.
3) Balance is not a destination—it’s a practice. Being a mom of twins and running a business is a constant juggle. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do everything at once. It’s okay to pause, recalibrate, and return with more clarity and calm.
These lessons continue to evolve with me, but they keep me grounded, both as an entrepreneur and a human being.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
> Consistency over intensity – I’ve learned this while running. Some days are full of energy, some are draining — but showing up every day, even with small steps, creates momentum.
> Empathy and connection – Whether it’s understanding a client’s unsaid emotion while curating a gift, or managing a team that doesn’t always meet expectations — I’ve realised that being human first and businesswoman later has taken me far.
> Adaptability – Business, like motherhood (especially with twins!), teaches you that nothing goes as success comes to those who can bend without breaking, and find a new way forward.
> Inner resilience – There are days you feel overwhelmed. Unsupported. But the ability to hold space for yourself, to cry if you need to and still continue — that’s where true success is born.
> A sense ofpurpose– For me, gifting is not a transaction — it’s an that belief keeps me going, especially when the work feels heavy.
> Faith in yourself and your journey. There’s no linear path. There’s no final destination. But if you’re honest, passionate, and persistent, success finds its way to you.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter whether you choose a job or start a business. What truly matters is doing something you genuinely enjoy — something that brings you alive, and something you’re naturally good at.
We often run behind titles, trends, or what others expect of us. But success isn’t about doing what looks impressive from the outside — it’s about waking up every morning with a sense of purpose.
Whether you’re designing software, creating art, managing a team, or curating corporate gifts (like I do!) — if it feels right to your heart and aligns with your strengths, you’re already on the path to success.
So take time to understand yourself. Don’t rush. Explore. Reflect. And when you find that sweet spot between passion and skill, hold on to it and give it your all.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
It’s the becoming that satisfies me the most. Becoming more confident.
More patient.
More “me.”
This journey has stretched me in ways I never imagined. It made me question myself, doubt myself, and then slowly, piece by piece, trust myself again.
What excites me is not the destination, but the tiny wins along the way — Days when I don’t feel like showing up, but I do.
It’s satisfying when I surprise myself… When I handle a tough situation with calm, when I give myself grace instead of guilt, when I realise — I’ve come a long way from who I used to be.
This journey is far from perfect. But it’s mine.
And every twist, every tear, every triumph — it all adds up to a version of me I’m quietly proud of.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
