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 Dr. Ritika Gauba for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Dr. Ritika is an Entrepreneur and Founder & CEO at Zenith PhD Training & Consultancy. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr. Ritika:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I’ve always loved teaching—or more precisely, sharing knowledge. My journey as an educator began right after completing my 12th grade. At the time, I believed teaching would be something I’d pursue later in life, after gaining corporate experience. Like many of us, I didn’t realise that following one’s passion can actually be the most fulfilling and sustainable career choice.
So, I pursued an MBA and joined the banking industry. The salary and stability looked great on paper, but the role brought me no joy or sense of purpose. Just a year into that job, I made one of the most defining decisions of my life—I walked away from banking to return to what I truly loved: teaching.
I entered academia as a professor, and nearly two decades later, I’m still doing what I love most. Over time, my work has evolved. Today, I’m not affiliated with a university, but I mentor PhD aspirants through my startup, Zenith PhD Training & Consultancy, and through my YouTube channel, All About PhD by Dr. Ritika Gauba.
In simple terms, I guide students in preparing for admission to their dream PhD programs. While teaching has always brought me joy, helping someone turn their academic dream into reality brings an entirely different level of fulfilment. For me, it’s not just about teaching anymore—it’s about transforming lives through mentorship.
When & how did you transition from a teacher to a PhD mentor?
About five years ago, I was invited by a university as a consultant to help set up their PhD department. That assignment became a turning point in my career.
While working on it, I immersed myself in the PhD, research, and fellowship guidelines of top-ranking institutions in India and abroad. I studied UGC regulations, policy documents, exams, and fellowships, while closely following the developments in the New Education Policy. Alongside, I was regularly interacting with senior professors, research scholars, and PhD aspirants.
These experiences gave me a 360-degree view of the PhD ecosystem—and what I discovered was surprising: the entire landscape was fragmented, unclear, and often inaccessible. Even professors—experts in their own fields—rarely had the time or bandwidth to stay updated with constantly changing regulations. Having spent 20 years in academia myself, I knew exactly how overwhelming a professor’s responsibilities already are. A faculty member may know the guidelines of their own institute, but why would they track policies of other universities?
That raised the bigger question: if even professors aren’t fully aware of the evolving PhD landscape, where do aspirants turn for accurate guidance? Who do they ask?
That’s when the idea struck me—to create a platform dedicated entirely to PhD education. A space where information is not scattered, outdated, or confusing, but well-researched, verified, and genuinely useful. This idea gave birth to Zenith PhD Training & Consultancy, and later, to our YouTube channel “All About PhD by Dr. Ritika Gauba”, along with our growing presence on LinkedIn and Instagram.
For those seeking deeper, tailored support, we also offer one-on-one mentorship to guide them step by step through their PhD admission journey. Looking back, I truly believe that consulting assignment was divinely timed. Without it, I wouldn’t have gained such clarity about the PhD ecosystem—or the purpose that continues to guide my work today.
You’ve probably been asked this many times, but why only PhD? Why not focus on PG or other programs?
Unlike postgraduate programs—where lakhs of students enrol and countless counsellors are available—PhD aspirants have almost no one to guide them. Just look around online: how many platforms genuinely support PhD applicants? Almost none.
Who answers their questions? Who explains the process? Who guides them through research proposals, interviews, or even choosing the right institute? Sadly, the answer is no one.
Even when we pursued our own PhDs, we had no roadmap. No real guidance. We figured things out on our own—and even two decades later, the situation hasn’t improved. In fact, it has only become more complex.
Today, PhD mentorship is more critical than ever, for two reasons:
1) Misinformation and fraud are rampant. Dubious universities and misleading content on social media often trap genuine aspirants. The lack of structured, accurate information leaves them vulnerable.
2) The number of universities offering PhDs has exploded.With so many options, how can a student know which universities are credible, suitable, and aligned with their research goals?
And beyond all this, we must remember: a PhD is about research. It’s not just a gateway to academia—it’s about creating new knowledge, solving real-world problems, and shaping the future of both nations and industries. Sadly, many have forgotten this.
That’s why I see it as my mission to remind people of the true value of this degree. To educate those who feel called to research. To guide them with informed, ethical, and expert mentorship. For me, PhD guidance is not just work—it’s passion. And through it, I also fulfil my lifelong love for teaching.
In the past four years, I’ve conducted more than 1,000 one-on-one sessions and built a YouTube community of nearly 10,000 subscribers dedicated exclusively to PhD education. To me, this is living proof: genuine PhD mentorship isn’t just needed—it’s essential.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Every business faces its own set of challenges—after all, as the saying goes, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Over the years, I’ve realised there are three things that give me strength when I find myself navigating stormy waters.
1. Faith in the Divine – From the very beginning, I’ve felt that this journey has been guided by a higher force. I truly believe there has been divine intervention at every step. If that power has brought me this far, I trust it will continue to lead me forward. Of course, faith alone is not enough—I show up every day with sincerity, consistent effort, and honest hard work.
2. My Inner Circle – The unwavering support of my family and close friends has been my emotional anchor. Leading that circle is my husband—my biggest cheerleader. He has always had more faith in me than I had in myself, and in moments of doubt, his belief in me lifted me up. To anyone starting out as an entrepreneur, my advice would be this: nurture your inner circle. A small, trusted group that truly believes in you can make all the difference.
3. My Mentees – Perhaps most heartening of all are my PhD mentees. Like any entrepreneur launching something new—especially something intangible—I was anxious. Would people value what I was offering? Many people told me it wouldn’t work, that no one would pay for PhD guidance. But then came the first message of appreciation. Then another. And another. Each review and recommendation reinforced my belief that Zenith was creating something meaningful.
What’s truly special is how many of my mentees have become champions of Zenith’s mission. They’re not just success stories—they’re collaborators. From sharing critical PhD-related updates, mentoring new aspirants, and appearing on podcast episodes, to simply spreading the word about genuine PhD guidance—they’ve stepped up in every way. They understand the impact of mentorship because they’ve lived it. And now, they’re helping me expand Zenith’s reach and impact. It’s a full-circle moment that fills me with pride.
So, in the toughest of moments, it’s these three pillars—my faith in the divine, the love and support of my inner circle, and the belief of my students—that keep me going. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your entrepreneurial or professional journey?
a) Strangers will be your true consumers – If you’re thinking of starting a business—whether it’s a boutique from home or a full-fledged consultancy—don’t build it on the assumption that family and friends will sustain it. Yes, they might support you once or twice, but your business will truly grow only when strangers are willing to invest in your product or service. The day unknown people find value in what you’re offering—that’s when you’ve built something real.
b) Focus on your work and your goals – Not everyone will understand your vision—and that’s perfectly okay. Some can’t, and some simply don’t want to. If you’re launching a venture, don’t look for validation from everyone around you. Instead, build a trusted circle—people whose advice you respect—and discuss your ideas only with them. Your success will be defined by your consumers, not the opinions of 100 others. So stay focused, work smart, and keep moving forward with clarity and confidence.
c) Prioritise self-growth—always – If you want to succeed professionally, you must keep evolving. Never rest on your past achievements. There’s always something more to learn, something to improve. This applies to your skills, your mindset, and even your emotional resilience. Personal and professional growth go hand in hand, and both are essential for long-term success.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Here are three principles I truly believe in:
(i) Slow and steady wins the race – At least, that’s my philosophy. If you want to build something strong and sustainable, you must invest time, effort, and patience. There is no such thing as overnight success, and there are no shortcuts either. When you work hard to achieve something, you not only feel a deep sense of satisfaction, but you also build inner confidence—confidence that eventually reflects in your work and your personality.
(ii) Take every opportunity to gain experience – My mother always told me, “Knowledge never goes to waste”—and I’ve come to realize how true that is. Experience, after all, is the greatest source of knowledge. Looking back at my career, I took on responsibilities well beyond my official role as a faculty member—compering, training programs, event management, and administrative duties. All of those experiences taught me valuable skills that eventually helped me build my company and grow my presence on social media.
(iii) Get up and take action – Stop complaining about your situation. Stop comparing yourself to others. Don’t just discuss problems—focus on solutions. Every problem has a solution, but that solution won’t appear magically.
You have to make the effort. I love that famous Shah Rukh Khan dialogue:
“If you truly desire something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
But the universe can only conspire after you’ve shown that you’re serious—and the way to show that is through action. Because in the end, action always speaks louder than words.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying or exciting?
I feel truly blessed to be able to do what I’m most passionate about—sharing knowledge and making a real difference in the academic lives of my mentees.
When you love your work, it stops feeling like work. For me, this journey has been deeply fulfilling in every sense.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring not only graduates but also accomplished professionals, including several at senior leadership and CXO levels. These are individuals with 20+ years of experience who approach a PhD with clarity and purpose.
Their time is valuable, their intent is serious, and their trust in me is both humbling and motivating. Helping such driven individuals achieve their PhD dreams—and being appreciated for that contribution—is incredibly rewarding. Each success story validates the work I do every single day.
Building Zenith PhD Training & Consultancy has also enriched me personally. It has allowed me to meet people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, broadening my perspective in ways I never imagined. Each interaction has been a two-way learning experience, reminding me that mentorship is as much about growth for the mentor as it is for the mentee.
Of course, entrepreneurship comes with its share of challenges. But it is also an enthralling experience. To build something from the ground up, to watch your vision slowly take shape, and to see it grow—bit by bit—is exciting beyond words. More than just a venture, this feels like building a legacy. And that is a feeling I would not trade for anything.
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.
