Motivated by a passion for creativity, Kareshma courageously pivoted from corporate life to entrepreneurship, conquering her fear of failure along the way. Through perseverance and unwavering dedication, she created her own course, emerging as a beacon of inspiration for others.

Kareshma Khanna is the founder of ‘Click Your Med’, Lucknow’s first online pharmacy. She also works as a strategic branding consultant, collaborating closely with startups.

Hailing from Lucknow, Kareshma received her education at Loreto Convent School for her schooling and then pursued her graduation at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. Despite being placed at Ernst & Young after her graduation, she found herself disillusioned by the corporate grind after working there for two years, yearning for a more creative outlet. This led her to pursue a Master's Degree in Brand Strategy from London.

However, unable to secure a job there, she returned to India, briefly interning at Ogilvy & Mather before venturing into entrepreneurship with ‘Click Your Med’ in Lucknow. Simultaneously, she offered her expertise as a strategic consultant to sustain her entrepreneurial endeavour.

Reflecting on her upbringing, Kareshma acknowledges herself as a risk-averse and safe-life-planning girl who was afraid to take big leaps in life. But her father taught her to dream big. Despite her parents being strict and disciplined, they fostered an environment of independence, allowing her to chart her own path and pursue a career of her choice.

She remembers how her mother never forced her to study but made her realise the significance of education, and that is how she excelled in her studies without any pressure on her. She credits her father for introducing her to the power of manifestation. She firmly believes that visualising a goal and wholeheartedly believing in its realisation is the key to making it happen. She attributes her success to their support in shaping her personality, which helped her achieve her goals.

Opening up about her challenges, Kareshma recounts her struggle to secure employment in her desired field despite academic success. Disheartened by this setback, she considered it her first failure. Upon relocating to India, she did an internship with a prestigious company, garnering recognition for her work. However, faced with a six-month waiting period before formal employment, she seized the opportunity to reflect on her own choices and desires. Delving into spirituality, she realised her long-held desire to establish her own business, thus initiating her entrepreneurial journey.

Reflecting on her mistakes, Kareshma admits to her lack of focus, which resulted in her missing the opportunity to enter a prestigious university. Additionally, she acknowledges diving into the pharmaceutical industry without sufficient expertise, initially leading to financial losses. Furthermore, she recognises her mistakes in not investing funds in marketing at the right time. Despite these setbacks, she views them as invaluable learning experiences that have strengthened her business acumen. Utilising these lessons, she remains vigilant to prevent their recurrence and credits her mistakes for making her more resilient and empathetic.

Sharing her achievements, Kareshma highlights her transformative journey from average student to academic excellence in her 12th standard, which helped her secure admission to Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, for her undergraduate studies. She came to see how hard work pays off and that you can accomplish your goals if you are passionate about what you do. Beyond academics, she has garnered numerous awards both in college and the workplace, and she cherishes the love and support of her family and friends. While she draws motivation from past achievements, her aspiration to accomplish more serves as her driving force.

Kareshma finds inspiration in the quote, "Nothing is innate and everything can be acquired." She firmly believes in the power of sincere hard work and practice, asserting that any goal can be attained through diligent effort. She emphasises that pursuing one's interests will naturally make one work harder for them. Once equipped with the necessary skills, she believes there are no barriers in achieving one's desires.

Offering her invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, she emphasises the importance of comprehensive market research and a deep understanding of target consumers. She underscores the significance of marketing your product. She urges entrepreneurs to analyse market dynamics and assess competitors thoroughly. Moreover, she encourages them to be self-confident and resilient and advises individuals not to fear failure but to view it as a stepping stone to success.

During her leisure time, Kareshma finds solace in spiritual chanting and indulges in reading the autobiographies of successful individuals and mentors. She enjoys socialising with her friends and family, watching web series, and travelling.

For Karishma, perseverance and patience serve as her success mantra.