How Ayushi Built a People-First Brand by 23
Entrepreneurship
India
23 Years
Hi! I’m Ayushi, a 23-year-old entrepreneur based in Delhi, India. I currently run my own marketing agency - Ad Mingle, where I help businesses grow through both organic and paid marketing strategies. I’m passionate about helping brands scale their presence online and drive real results.
Alongside brand marketing, I also specialize in helping founders grow their personal brands on LinkedIn—which not only helps them build authority but also gives me deeper insight into different industries and business models. Right now, I’m leading a team of 10 talented individuals, and I’m actively working towards expanding the agency further.
I started my business while I was working full-time at a performance marketing agency in Gurgaon. During that time, I connected with a like-minded professional on LinkedIn who was also in the same field. We got talking about our skills and what I was passionate about, and soon after, I landed my first few clients through that connection.
Interestingly, I was originally considering getting into the import-export business, but this opportunity felt more aligned with my strengths and interests. That’s how my journey into entrepreneurship began—and I haven’t looked back since.
My Mission: To help ambitious businesses grow online by combining strategy, creativity, and data-driven marketing.
At the heart of what I do is a deep desire to collaborate with innovative entrepreneurs and founders across different industries. Every business has a unique story, and I love crafting strategies that amplify those stories in a way that drives real impact. Whether it's building organic authority or running high-converting paid campaigns, I aim to tailor every approach to the business's specific needs.I want to gain exposure to as many different types of businesses as possible—not just to help them grow, but also to keep learning and evolving myself. Working with diverse founders pushes me to think differently, challenge myself, and refine my skills as a marketer and strategist.
I come from a business-class family, which naturally nurtured my interest in entrepreneurship from a young age. Being a woman founder, I also take pride in creating space for more women-led ventures in the digital space.
I absolutely love talking to founders, exchanging ideas, and learning about their journeys. I’m someone who enjoys both business and life conversations—I find inspiration in everyday interactions. My long-term vision is to grow my agency into a powerhouse that supports businesses worldwide while staying grounded in authentic, people-first marketing.
I started my business almost two years ago, which means I was 21 at the time. Time has flown by, and the journey has been full of growth, lessons, and a lot of excitement!
"One call, one idea, and a little belief was all it took to start."
What inspired you to start your own business?
I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spark in me, but what truly pushed me to start my own business was a random yet meaningful conversation with a friend I met on LinkedIn. We had connected over a completely different topic—jewelry, of all things—and ended up jamming on a call for quite a while. During that conversation, he said something that stuck with me: “You come from marketing, you’re great at talking to people, and you’d absolutely kill it in sales—why don’t you start your own agency?”
That one conversation planted the seed. I realized he saw potential in me that maybe I hadn’t fully recognized yet. That little push was the start of everything.
The idea for the agency really came together during that call with my LinkedIn friend. We were just casually discussing business and our skills, and suddenly it all clicked. I had experience in marketing, I enjoyed building connections, and I was already thinking about doing something of my own. That conversation turned into a “let’s just do it” moment.
We weren’t overthinking or planning some big business blueprint—it was very organic. I realized I already had the skills, and now I had the confidence and a partner to brainstorm with. That’s how the idea of starting a marketing agency came to life.
Yes, there definitely was a moment. It wasn’t loud or dramatic, but it felt right. I was still working full-time, and my brother—who’s always been super supportive—said something simple but powerful: “Ayushi, you work so hard, why don’t you do something of your own?” That hit me. I thought, why not?
And once I started, everything just began falling into place. My family supported me, my sibling pushed me to dream bigger, and somewhere deep down, I knew—I was meant to build something of my own.
How did you turn your idea into a business?
Turning the idea into a real business was a journey full of ups and downs—but one I’m super proud of. Once I decided to start my agency, I focused on building the right team and creating a solid foundation. From day one, I knew that the people I worked with would be key, so I made it a priority to hire a team that shared my vision. I’ve always believed in creating a positive and empowering work culture, especially for women—so today, I’m proud to say that my team has a strong representation of talented women who bring so much value to what we do.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. I faced rejections from potential clients, lost a few along the way, and learned hard lessons through experience. But I also gained some amazing clients who believed in our work, and that’s what kept me going. Every win, big or small, reminded me that I was on the right path.
Key milestones:
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Building a team from scratch and expanding to a 10-member crew
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Creating an inclusive, women-forward workspace
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Signing my first few clients through pure hustle and relationship-building
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Learning to handle client retention, rejection, and growth—all at the same time
Things still get chaotic at times, but it’s all part of the process. I’m learning every day and loving the journey so far.
How did you get your customers?
Most of my customer acquisition has been organic and socially driven, with a strong focus on referrals and content marketing. Here’s a breakdown of the key strategies:
Referrals:
Over 50% of my clients came through word-of-mouth. I focus on delivering high-quality work so satisfied clients naturally refer me to others. It’s been a huge driver because trust is already built through the referral.
Social Proof & Results:
I regularly share client wins, behind-the-scenes, and before-and-after results across social media. Once potential clients see tangible results, they become much more likely to reach out.
Organic Content (Instagram & LinkedIn):
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I stay consistently active on Instagram and LinkedIn, posting:
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Value-driven content (tips, insights)
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Personal brand content
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Case studies/success stories
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Reels and engaging stories
This builds trust and authority in my niche.
Giving Value First:
My strategy always starts with giving — whether it’s free insights, audits, or just helping out. This builds a strong connection and makes people genuinely want to work with me.
Strategic Pricing:
I started with competitive pricing to build a portfolio. As results improved and demand increased, I gradually increased prices while maintaining quality, which helped position my services as premium.
Strategies to Retain Customers:
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Customer-Centric Approach: I listen closely to what each client needs and adapt my services to align with their goals. This flexibility and personalization have helped me retain clients for the long-term.
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Ongoing Communication & Reporting: Frequent updates, transparent communication, and collaborative feedback loops help keep clients engaged and happy.
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Consistent Results: I focus on delivering results, not just completing tasks. When clients see growth — whether it’s in engagement, conversions, or content quality — they stay.
Short-Term Goals:
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Keep building my presence on Instagram and LinkedIn
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Increase monthly inbound leads through content and referrals
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Scale operations slightly with a small team for content and editing
Long-Term Goals:
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Expand internationally — work with foreign clients and travel abroad for shoots and content management
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Build a globally recognized content agency
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Collaborate with brands and creators in multiple countries
How are you funding your startup?
My agency is fully bootstrapped. I started with nothing but an idea—and an Instagram page. No funding, no big team—just me putting myself out there, sharing my knowledge, and slowly building trust with potential clients.
From there, things started to grow. One client turned into two, and then more. Every bit of revenue earned went right back into the business. It’s been a step-by-step journey, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come without raising any money—just by staying consistent and focused.
What is your average monthly revenue?
When I was working my full-time job, I was earning around ₹40,000 ($450) per month. Today, I’m making more than 10x that amount through my agency.
The growth has been wild—and honestly, super fulfilling. I didn’t come from a place of having it all figured out. I started with just an Instagram page, no funding, and a vision to help businesses grow. From there, it’s been a journey of taking risks, showing up consistently, and delivering results.
Every milestone—from signing my first international client to leading a team of 10—has been a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much more is possible.
How are you doing today and what plans for the future?
I’m doing well today—grateful and grounded. The plan for the future is to keep building with intention. I’m dedicated to what I do, and even when things go wrong, I don’t stop. I show up, make it right, and keep moving forward. That dedication is working for me.
Consistency is working. I’ve never backed off from showing up and speaking about what matters to me. I might have lost a few clients along the way, and that’s okay. The important part is, I didn’t lose myself. In fact, I recently got invited to speak at a college, which felt like a huge validation of everything I’ve been working toward.
I’ve made mistakes, for sure—especially around rushing into things or not choosing the right collaborations. But I learned fast. One major decision that helped was building boundaries within partnerships. I also found that surrounding myself with other agencies helped me grow, both through shared knowledge and shared projects.
Strategically choosing who to collaborate with has been a game-changer. I’ve made sure my partnerships have structure and clear boundaries, which keeps things healthy and productive. Also, talking openly about my journey has brought in a lot of organic connections and growth.
Definitely, timing and trends played a role. But also, luck favors those who move—and I moved. I left my comfort zone, moved out of home, and gave myself the space to grow. That changed everything.
Also, I’ve learned to focus hard when needed, but also take breaks when my body or mind needs rest. I know how to step back, recharge, and come back stronger. That balance has kept me sustainable. And perhaps the biggest one: I keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
What advice do you have for budding founders?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was “If you’re planning to start your own thing, first do a job”. And I stand by that. Working a job before starting my own agency taught me so much—how businesses function, how teams work, and how to navigate challenges. It was like real-world training before I took the leap.
It requires real sacrifice. Not just time or money, but comfort, personal plans, and sometimes even peace of mind. Running a business isn’t just about freedom—it comes with its own rules, responsibilities, and realities. I wish someone had told me how deeply it demands your presence and patience.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
One of my proudest moments so far was being invited as a guest speaker at a college event in Delhi. I had the opportunity to speak alongside two other panelists who had massive followings on Instagram and were well-known in their fields. And yet, I was the one leading the conversation—asking questions to the students about entrepreneurship, business, and life.
That experience meant so much to me because it wasn’t about popularity or follower count—it was about real impact. Being on that stage, guiding students and sharing what I’ve learned on my journey, felt like a full-circle moment. Just a couple of years ago, I was one of them—figuring things out, dreaming big. And now I was in a position to give back, to inspire, and to lead. That’s a feeling I’ll always carry with me.