For many women, a career break can feel like the end of a professional journey. For Richa Gupta, it became a period of preparation for something new.
An MBA in Finance, Gupta began her corporate career with ICICI Lombard, where she worked as an Operations Head. After the birth of her first daughter, she made a conscious decision to step away from corporate life to raise her two daughters.
But she did not stop learning.
During her 15-16 years away from corporate employment, Gupta supported her husband’s business, worked around taxation and GST, and became a master trainer for abacus. In January 2019, when her daughters had grown older, she decided it was time to build a career on her own terms.
She began her entrepreneurial journey as a financial advisor.
From Financial Products to Financial Education
Initially, Gupta focused on financial products and insurance. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, changed her perspective.
She encountered families where women struggled to understand their household’s insurance policies, investments and financial arrangements after difficult circumstances. The experience made her realise that financial services needed to go beyond selling products.
People needed to understand their finances before making decisions.
This became the foundation of her approach: customer first, product later.
Rather than recommending a product immediately, Gupta believes in understanding an individual’s goals, family responsibilities, risk appetite and financial capacity.
Making Women Financially Independent
Women’s financial literacy is now at the heart of Gupta’s work.
She believes that whether a woman is a homemaker, salaried professional or entrepreneur, she should understand her money and be confident making financial decisions.
Her vision is not simply to help women invest but to help them become financially independent and prepared for unexpected changes in life.
This philosophy has also earned her the identity of a “Money Wali Dost” — someone women can approach to discuss money without fear, judgement or complicated jargon.
Creating Opportunities for Women
Through Financial Wingz, Gupta works across insurance, investments, financial planning and portfolio advisory. Her larger ambition is to build a women-led financial platform where women can openly discuss money and make informed decisions.
She also wants more women to enter the financial industry, particularly those looking to restart their careers or create an independent income stream.
Richa Gupta’s journey carries a simple lesson for aspiring women entrepreneurs: a career break does not have to be a break from ambition.
Sometimes, the years spent nurturing a family, learning new skills and gaining life experience can become the foundation for a new beginning.
Her message is clear: Dream it. Plan it. Fund it. Achieve it.