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 Namrata Jena for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Namrata is a Mentor, Business & Leadership Coach, Strategic Brand Consultant and Founder at Powai Events & The Alpha League Club. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Namrata:
Could you share your professional journey and what inspired you to build Powai Events?
About 12 years ago, I began my journey as a professional photographer and brand consultant. Through my work, I closely interacted with entrepreneurs and small businesses who had excellent products and services but lacked the right platforms to reach their target audience.
This gap inspired me to create Powai Events—a marketing platform on Instagram. Initially, it served a dual purpose: helping businesses showcase their offerings while also highlighting the events I was covering as a photographer.
What started as a simple idea gradually evolved into a powerful ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs through brand visibility, collaborations, interviews, and curated events.
As the community grew, I realized that many entrepreneurs also craved deeper connections, collaboration, and a strong support system. This led to the creation of The Alpha League Club—an exclusive entrepreneurial community focused on meaningful networking, knowledge sharing, and collective growth.
Today, my journey is centered around building ecosystems where businesses don’t just gain visibility, but also connect, collaborate, and grow together.
What gap in the business ecosystem led you to create these platforms?
One of the biggest gaps I observed was the lack of meaningful engagement in digital networking spaces. Many entrepreneurs joined WhatsApp groups or online communities just to post advertisements and then disengaged. There was minimal interaction, collaboration, or genuine support.
I wanted to change that dynamic. Through Powai Events, I focused on creating an interactive ecosystem where businesses could not only promote themselves but also build brand recall and credibility.
I also recognized that traditional advertising was no longer enough in today’s fast-scrolling digital world. Attention spans are short, and brands need to capture interest within the first few seconds. So, I began guiding entrepreneurs on structuring their content better—using strong hooks, engaging storytelling, and clear calls to action.
These strategic shifts helped businesses stand out and transformed the platform into a space where marketing is not just about posting ads, but about building visibility, engagement, and real connections.
Why are strong professional communities essential for entrepreneurs today?
Entrepreneurship can often be a lonely journey. Many founders navigate challenges around marketing, scaling, and decision-making in isolation.
Strong communities change that. They create an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can share ideas, collaborate, and learn from each other’s experiences. Within such spaces, they gain access to mentorship, real-time problem-solving, and perspectives from people who have faced similar challenges.
More importantly, communities drive referrals, collaborations, and trust—key elements in building sustainable businesses.
At the core of my work is a simple philosophy: coexistence and collaboration over competition. When entrepreneurs grow together, they create stronger, more resilient ecosystems.
What were the biggest challenges in the early days of Powai Events?
One of the biggest challenges was convincing businesses to adopt Instagram as a marketing platform. At that time, most entrepreneurs were heavily reliant on Facebook, which dominated the digital space.
Many did not yet recognize Instagram’s potential as a visual storytelling platform with less clutter and higher engagement.
Additionally, there was hesitation around newer marketing formats such as video promotions, interviews, and endorsements. Many business owners were uncomfortable coming on camera and preferred traditional, static advertising methods.
Over time, through consistent education, demonstration, and results, I was able to shift this mindset and help businesses embrace more dynamic and engaging forms of marketing.
What are the most common branding mistakes startups make?
One of the most common mistakes is focusing purely on selling rather than building a brand.
Many startups jump into promotions without clearly defining their identity, target audience, or the core message they want to stand for. Another frequent mistake is following trends blindly—copying others instead of creating a unique brand voice.
I also see businesses investing heavily in marketing without a clear strategy or long-term vision. Without a structured approach and creative differentiation, even great products can get lost in the noise.
In today’s digital landscape, success depends on strong hooks, compelling storytelling, and clear calls to action—without these, visibility becomes difficult.
What mindset shifts help founders grow faster?
One of the most powerful shifts is moving from a scarcity mindset to a collaboration mindset. When entrepreneurs stop viewing others purely as competition and start seeing them as collaborators, new opportunities naturally emerge.
Another important shift is transitioning from a vendor mindset to a brand mindset. Sustainable growth comes when founders focus on trust, positioning, and long-term value rather than just transactions.
Lastly, adaptability is key. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and founders who are open to learning, experimenting, and innovating grow significantly faster.
How can entrepreneurs build meaningful relationships instead of transactional networks?
Networking should go beyond quick exchanges or immediate sales—it should be about building genuine connections.
I encourage entrepreneurs to create what I call “work friendships.” These relationships are built on trust and understanding, and over time, these individuals become your strongest advocates—your organic sales force.
This is why my networking initiatives focus heavily on real, in-person interactions. When people connect authentically, collaboration and growth happen naturally.
What is your long-term vision for Powai Events and The Alpha League Club?
My vision for Powai Events is to continue strengthening it as a dynamic platform that helps entrepreneurs gain visibility through storytelling, collaborations, and curated opportunities.
For The Alpha League Club, the vision is larger—to build a structured, high-trust entrepreneurial community that fosters meaningful connections, mentorship, and growth.
In the coming years, I see the community expanding across Mumbai and eventually to other cities in India—creating a strong, interconnected ecosystem of entrepreneurs.
At the heart of it all is a simple belief: When the right people come together with the right intent, powerful ecosystems are built.
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.
