“You can’t keep jumping from one opportunity to another expecting quick success. It’s crucial to choose a path and commit to it, giving it enough time and effort to truly grow.”
The 30 Under 30 nominee, Heena Kataria, is the founder of Meraki Ads, a digital marketing agency that she launched at the age of 22. Completely bootstrapped, Heena onboarded corporate clients all across India within the first year of the launch and has worked with over 100 businesses in the last six years to boost their online presence. Also known for her meditation courses, Heena is a strong believer in giving back to society through social work.
Growing up, the person who has always inspired Heena is her father, who has been in sales and marketing for 30 years.
Interviewer: Have you always wanted to build something in the sales and marketing space?
Heena: “My father’s entrepreneurial mindset and passion really motivated me. Unfortunately, due to family responsibilities, he couldn’t pursue his own business and had to work a regular job. I wanted to fulfill that dream for him. From a young age, thanks to the opportunities he gave me through his network, I started doing internships while I was still in school. That early exposure helped me learn faster and gave me an edge over others, which is how I found success at a young age.”
The Meraki Ads Approach
What sets Meraki Ads apart from the myriad of digital marketing agencies is their approach of understanding both business dynamics and marketing, where they make marketing strategies in tune with the business goals. Heena adds,
“Having worked with numerous startups, we know how to deliver maximum results even on limited budgets. Our approach focuses on smart strategies that ensure every marketing rupee drives the highest possible return, helping our clients grow sustainably and efficiently.”
The Entrepreneurial Journey
One of the challenges Heena faced while building Meraki Ads was being underestimated by people, but she knew better than anyone to let that hold her back. It was also daunting to build a skilled team in a Tier 2 city. Some key ways they could solve these issues were by training the staff on operational efficiency and financial discipline. Every entrepreneur has a lot of compromises they need to make in their journey. Heena shares,
“I resisted the temptation to spend on luxuries and instead saved wisely, quickly building solid working capital and security. Throughout this journey, spirituality and meditation have been my anchors, helping me stay centered, make smart decisions, and maintain high efficiency in everything I do.”
Despite the difficulties along the way, the journey has been rewarding for her growth and the progress she has seen over the years. Heena is not someone to chase after funding and valuations, as she values making real profits and growing sustainably over anything else. The biggest feat has been to do something for her father, who has always been there for her. She adds,
“My biggest achievement is being able to retire my father so he could finally pursue his own dream and start a new business.”
Heena has been awarded STPI’s Women Entrepreneur of the Year award, presented by Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, and the Inspiring Pillars Award from Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur Ji. She was also featured in media publications like the Times of India and ET Now. On a personal note, Heena is extremely proud of her spiritual journey, the relationships she has fostered, the success, and the love she has received.
The Next Chapter
One of Heena’s plans for Meraki Ads is to take on more tech-related projects. They also want to be seen as an inspiration when it comes to innovative and purpose-driven marketing.
Moreover, with the advancement of AI, Heena looks forward to adapting and including new strategies in her approach to make brand building and marketing more innovative. Other plans include giving back to society by helping students become more job-ready and creating more employment opportunities to support the community.
One of the most significant lessons Heena has learned from her journey as an entrepreneur is that pursuing trendy ideas won’t guarantee you success, and what one truly needs to work on is providing solutions that add value. As she signs off, Heena notes,
“I’ve realised that business is not a sprint but a marathon; it requires patience, resilience, and steady progress. Moving at a sustainable pace helps you avoid burnout, while consistent hard work and smart decisions keep you moving forward. There’s no magic shortcut; success demands dedication and grit. My advice to budding entrepreneurs is to be focused, trust the process, and embrace the challenges because that’s how you create something truly valuable and lasting.”
