At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Dipali Mathur for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say it further, Dipali is an Entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, UMB Elite Mrs India’25 and Founder at Kestone Utsav. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dipali:
Winning the title of Mrs India Universe 2025–26 is a remarkable achievement. What has this journey taught you about confidence, resilience, and self-belief?
This journey taught me that confidence is not something you are born with; it is something you build through life experiences, failures, reinvention, and repeatedly showing up for yourself. Resilience comes from understanding that setbacks are not the opposite of growth; they are a part of it.
And self-belief, especially for women, often comes much later in life because we spend years trying to fit into expectations. Somewhere along the journey, I realised that the most powerful thing a woman can do is stop apologising for her ambition.
You have successfully balanced multiple roles: banker, entrepreneur, consultant, CEO, speaker, and public figure. How do you manage these diverse identities without losing yourself in the process?
I think women naturally wear multiple hats all the time. The key for me has been understanding that these are not separate identities; they are all extensions of who I am.
The entrepreneur in me fuels the speaker, the mother in me grounds the public figure, and the banker in me still influences how I think strategically. I have also learnt that balance is not perfection; it is prioritisation. Some days, one role needs you more than the others, and that is perfectly okay.
As a strong advocate for women’s financial independence, what are the biggest financial mistakes you believe women still make today, and how can they overcome them?
One of the biggest mistakes women still make is completely outsourcing financial decisions, whether to family members, spouses, or advisors, without truly understanding their own money. Financial literacy is no longer optional; it is a life skill.
Women need to understand investing, savings, insurance, taxes, and wealth creation because financial independence is deeply connected to confidence and freedom. Even small, consistent financial decisions made early can completely transform a woman’s life trajectory.
Your journey combines fitness with financial empowerment, two areas not often spoken about together. How do you see physical wellness influencing professional success and personal confidence?
I genuinely believe the two are deeply interconnected. Fitness teaches discipline, consistency, resilience, and self-respect qualities that directly influence professional success. When you feel physically strong, you carry yourself differently.
Your confidence changes, your energy shifts, and even your decision-making becomes sharper. For me, wellness was never about looking a certain way; it was about building a strong mind through a strong body.
Being recognised in BW40Under40 is a huge milestone. What do you think truly defines impactful leadership in today’s world?
Impactful leadership today is less about authority and more about authenticity and adaptability. People no longer follow titles blindly; they follow vision, empathy, integrity, and energy.
A good leader creates outcomes, but a great leader also builds confidence and growth in the people around them. In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to adapt while staying grounded in your values is incredibly important.
Through your platform and public voice, you inspire many women to dream bigger. Was there a defining moment in your life when you decided you wanted to become a voice for change?
I do not think there was one dramatic, defining moment. It happened gradually through lived experiences and by witnessing how often women shrink themselves, delay dreams, or seek permission to want more. Somewhere along the journey, I realised that visibility matters.
When women see other women reinventing themselves, taking risks, building businesses, or owning ambition unapologetically, it expands what feels possible for them too. That is why I consciously choose to use my voice with intention.
As the CEO of Kestone Utsav, what leadership principles guide your entrepreneurial decisions and team culture?
For me, leadership begins with trust and ownership. I strongly believe people do their best work when they feel valued, heard, and empowered. I also believe in leading with clarity, whether it is vision, expectations, or accountability.
At Kestone Utsav, creativity is incredibly important to us, but equally important is execution excellence because ideas only become impactful when they are implemented effectively. Personally, I always try to lead with empathy because businesses grow through people.
You have spoken on prestigious platforms like TEDx. What is one message you believe every woman, regardless of age or background, needs to hear today?
Your life does not have an expiry date. Society often conditions women to believe that opportunities, visibility, beauty, ambition, or reinvention belong only to youth. I fundamentally disagree with that.
Women become more powerful with age because they gain experience, emotional wisdom, financial awareness, and greater confidence in who they are. It is never too late to begin again, dream bigger, or take up space unapologetically.
In a world driven by social media validation, how do you personally stay grounded, authentic, and emotionally balanced?
I constantly remind myself that social media is a highlight reel, not real life. I enjoy creating content, but I never want external validation to become my identity.
What keeps me grounded is my real world: my family, close friends, meaningful work, daily routines, and the understanding that self-worth cannot fluctuate with algorithms. I also believe authenticity comes from sharing not just success, but also uncertainty, vulnerability, and growth honestly.
If you could mentor the next generation of aspiring women leaders in just one sentence, what would your message be?
Do not wait for permission to become the woman you already know you are capable of being.
At BrilliantRead, we don’t just share startup stories; we bring you journeys that challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and fuel ambition. Every story we feature is carefully chosen to add real value, inspire action, and ignite possibility within our growing community of entrepreneurs and dreamers.
If you have a powerful story, one that can inspire, educate, or create impact we want to hear from you.
