TABLE OF CONTENTS
"From the first conversation, she came across as someone strong-headed and opinionated. And in my experience, those are exactly the kind of people you want to bet on to create a difference.
It took me just two conversations to be convinced that she should own product marketing here.
Since then, she's only proven that conviction right. She brings clarity, strong points of view, and the ability to challenge ideas when it matters.”
— Manas Gupta, CEO & Co-Founder, GobbleCube
GobbleCube barely had a marketing function when you joined. What made you say yes?
I had heard so much about GobbleCube from a friend Sahil (also an investor in GobbleCube), that I just knew I had to take a bet. And from my very first conversation with Manas, I appreciated how sorted he was and he knew exactly where he was headed.
I'll be honest, I didn't fully understand the product at first. There was no website, no marketing assets to read from. Barely two case studies on LinkedIn. But even from those early conversations, I could sense the product was powerful. The problems GobbleCube was solving just felt intuitive, like something that needed to exist.
And I've spent my entire life working closely with founders. So when I got the opportunity to set things up from the ground up, I jumped in headfirst.
You mentioned you've always worked with founders. Take us back - where did that start?
Throughout my entire college-life, I've taken internships at multiple NGOs like Feeding India, Kat-Katha, and each one of them was a humbling experience and shaped me in their own unique ways.
And every single one was with a founder. More like a founder’s office- whatever they needed, I was right there doing it with them.
That's where my understanding of work came from honestly: being close to founders, seeing how they think, make decisions, and operate in ambiguity.
Those NGO years must have clearly shaped you. Which one would you say left the deepest mark?
Kat Katha. Without a doubt.
They work with sex workers. I was always intrigued by what happens behind that world. I knew there was something bigger, something darker, and I wanted to understand it.
Their recruitment process was the toughest I'd ever been through. They took us to GB Road, because if you're going to work there regularly, you should know what you're signing up for. Then three days at Gandhi Ashram, cleaning, decorating, living alongside the community.
One moment I'll never forget: a woman invited us to eat with her. All she had was roti, salt, and green chillies. And she was happy. That was a bubble burst, we're out here wanting more, and someone's finding joy in the bare minimum.
When you hear their stories from these women - real, heavy, gut-wrenching, something just shifts. You can't stay silent anymore. You physically can't.
I was never this person. But this experience broke that. After that, I had to say things out loud.
“The person you see today is only because of strength I got from working on ground with the NGOs I worked with.”
You didn't go the traditional job route after college. You started your own venture. What's the story behind that?
It's an interesting story. Animesh (who I was dating at the time and is now my husband), always wanted to build something of his own. So we joined forces. He brought his love for sports, and I brought the startup lens from having worked so closely with NGO founders.
Over five years, we created sports tournament IPs, built sports complexes, hosted corporate events and so much more. It was the most fun phase of my life.
And I learnt things there that no job could've taught me: thinking in P&L, building from zero, setting processes from the ground up.
That founder lens is exactly what has proven to be my biggest edge, after joining GobbleCube.
You've set up processes from scratch at GobbleCube too. What was your approach to building marketing here?
When I joined, there was nothing. No website, no CRM, no marketing engine. I , along with my team, set all of it up.
The speed at which GobbleCube evolves as a product is insane, the product often moves faster than the marketing assets can keep up with. So no, I'm not always proud of where every asset stands.
But I do believe this: B2B doesn't have to be boring. If you can tell your story in an interesting way, half the work is done. Stories about the people, the founders, the vision, that's what builds a brand long-term.
And one thing I am genuinely proud of is LinkedIn. It’s completely organic and real engagement.
"Everyone's chasing ads and paid loops. But nothing beats the power of organic narrative. Nothing.”
Manas said he was impressed by how opinionated you are. Is that something you look for when building your own team too?
100%. I actively look for people who can think for themselves - people who can eventually think like entrepreneurs.
My non-negotiables are simple: I can't work with "yes" men. If you never question anything, you're just hiding your personality. I expect people to question things and push back.
I think Manas is a great example of that balance, actually. He's sharp, but he's humble. He gives me the space to push back (mostly). That's the kind of dynamic I try to build with my own team too.
“Weak leaders test your patience, great ones teach you, but, but, but, if the corporate gods are kind to you, you’ll find a rare one, someone who goes above and beyond for their people and makes even the toughest days feel lighter. She’s one of them.”
- Nikita, Drishti’s team
“When I joined GC, I was a textbook introvert. Every day, Drishti nudges me to step a little outside my comfort zone. I won’t say I’m fully there yet 😄 but it really means a lot to have a lead who genuinely invests in your growth and pushes to do more than you thought you could. :D”
-Shivam, Drishti’s team
“She’s empathetic, but also firm when it matters. She reminds you to stand up for yourself, even when it’s the hardest thing to do, and not settle for anything less than you deserve.”
-Harshi, Drishti’s team
Amidst all this intensity, how do you switch off and reset?
You know what I love to do? Absolutely nothing - and just cuddling with my dogs, Frappe and Ccino.
Which is hilarious, because I was terrified of animals my whole life. Wouldn't even go to someone's house if they had a pet. Now I can't imagine a single day without them.
Also, I'm a massive drama fan - talk Desperate Housewives, Bridgerton, Ted Lasso and 100 more.
Oh, and I recently did paragliding and bungee jumping - both terrifying, both thrilling. I've always been scared of heights, so obviously I had to try it.
Since ‘SuperWomen of GobbleCube’ series is all about impact - who's had the biggest impact on the person you are today?
My husband, Animesh. Without a second thought.
We're polar opposites to be honest. He's extremely practical - almost emotionless on the surface. And I'm only emotional about everything. That's how we balance each other out. Haha.
Neither of us comes from generational wealth. The life we have, we've built from scratch - together. And knowing he's standing right beside me gives me the courage to go wild, take risks, and keep building.
He's shaped me into the person I am today in more ways than I can say.
So yes, if this Superwoman has a Superman, it's him. 😊