Enterprise: Aqualife

Founder: Mrs Shipra Guha

Year it was founded: 2013

Sector: Food & Beverage

Based out of: Bankura, West Bengal

“In time, and with water, everything changes” is a famous saying attributed to the great renaissance artist, Leonardo Da Vinci. In what was a wonderful stroke of fortune, Mrs Shipra Guha, discovered water springs in a property, her family bought in West Bengal. The real masterstroke was her decision to get the water tested and begin a process of bottling it for distribution. Aqualife was born and is now finding success under the brand name WaterThirst. Mrs Guha’s big business dream is to be a serial entrepreneur and open several more companies. Given that at the age of 62, she broke from the mould of being a housewife and turned into an entrepreneur, her message to aspirants is to never give up and not be defined by your current role in life.

In conversation with GlobalLinker (GL), Mrs Shipra Guha (SG) shares her business journey.

GL: Tell us about your business and how it came into being.

SG: I run a packaged drinking water plant named Aqualife, at Bankura in West Bengal. In early 2013, I purchased an extensive property in the riverside area of Durgapur. I was immediately delighted to discover many natural water springs on the property, all yielding fresh, pure drinking water. The water was professionally tested with the verdict declaring it to be of outstanding drinking quality.

After discussion with my family, I decided to start a water company – Aqualife and began bottling and distributing the water directly from the pure water source under the brand WaterThirst.

Since then, we have been delivering pure, natural spring water to thousands of customers throughout India. With the advantage of owning our own water source and bottling at source – we have been able to guarantee that our water is amongst the freshest and purest in the market.

What’s more? As a family-owned business, we’re dedicated to making sure every customer is satisfied with our services and the quality of our products. Their loyalty and the number of referrals is testimony that we are doing our job right. My dream is to create a successful company and hand it over as a legacy to my sons. I am slowly progressing towards that goal.

GL: What are the challenges you have faced in establishing your business?

SG: At the beginning I was not able to get support from any financial institution to start my business. But I was determined and decided to start my business at any cost. I started my business in the year 2013 and now it has grown manifold. Later, I got a loan from a national bank and my project has been approved by the government. At the age of 62 years, I am eager to build a new company. My husband and sons are a great support in my endeavours.   

GL: How did you hear of GlobalLinker? How has it helped you?

SG: I heard about GlobalLinker from a newsletter. It has helped me to link with other entrepreneurs and grow my business network.

GL: What is your big business dream?

SG: My big business dream is to be a successful entrepreneur leading many companies.

GL: What is your message to aspiring entrepreneurs?

SG: My message to aspiring entrepreneurs is to "Never give up". I was a middle-class homemaker and set up a successful company through determination, passion and hard work. So can you!

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