Women Who Inspire: A Conversation with Anju Rupal

This Women’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on the power of women—those who shape industries, lead with intention, and drive meaningful progress.

To celebrate, we sat down with our founder, Anju Rupal, a visionary who built ABHATI Suisse with the mission to create conscious, effective beauty that gives back.

What inspired you to create ABHATI Suisse, and how has the vision evolved?

ABHATI Suisse was born from a deep-rooted passion for sustainability, empowerment, and the fusion of ancient botanical wisdom with cutting-edge science.

My journey began with a desire to create a brand that not only delivered high-performance skincare but also made a meaningful impact on people and the planet.

From the start, I wanted ABHATI Suisse to be more than just a beauty brand—it had to have purpose. Growing up with Indian heritage and living in Switzerland, I saw an opportunity to bridge the best of both worlds: powerful plant actives from the Himalayas combined with the precision of Swiss formulation. But beyond efficacy, I wanted the brand to drive social change. That’s why our mission has always been rooted in: sustainability, ethical sourcing, and supporting education for girls through initiatives like Educate Girls.

Over the years, ABHATI Suisse has evolved into a true movement for conscious luxury. We’ve refined our formulations, expanded our product line, and strengthened our commitment to regenerative beauty and responsible sourcing. Today, our focus remains on creating science-backed, high-performance products while ensuring that every step of our process—from ingredients to packaging—aligns with our ethical and environmental values.

At its core, ABHATI Suisse is about beauty with a purpose—helping people feel good in their skin while making a difference in the world. And that vision continues to grow with every product we create.

ABHATI means “to shine.” What does this word represent to you today?

ABHATI is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “to shine.” The inspiration came from the radiant glow of the tribal farmers we work alongside. More than just a name, it’s a philosophy—one that reflects inner and outer radiance through purpose, authenticity, and respect for nature.

Today, ABHATI represents conscious beauty—luxury without compromise. Every choice we make, from high-performance, planet-friendly formulations to supporting girls' education, creates a ripple effect. To shine is to embrace who we are, own our stories, and uplift others. Whether through our regenerative ingredients, ethical business practices, or the confidence our products bring, ABHATI remains a beacon of mindful, purpose-driven beauty.

ABHATI partners with women-led initiatives like Educate Girls. Why is this important to the brand?

Empowering women is at the heart of ABHATI’s mission. From the very beginning, we wanted our impact to go beyond beauty—to create real, lasting change. Partnering with women-led initiatives like Educate Girls allows us to do just that by helping young girls access education, giving them the tools to build brighter futures.

When you educate a girl, you empower a community. She gains independence, opportunities, and the ability to uplift those around her. This aligns deeply with ABHATI’s values of sustainability, empowerment, and conscious beauty.

What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur in the beauty space?

A challenge has been staying true to our values in a market that often prioritizes fast beauty over sustainability. Creating high-performance, ethically sourced products without compromising on quality, efficacy, or environmental responsibility has required persistence, resilience, and innovation.

What advice would you give to women looking to create meaningful change in their industries?

Lead with purpose. Whatever industry you’re in, anchor your work in something bigger than yourself. Meaningful change comes from a clear mission, resilience, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Stay true to your values. In business, you’ll face pressure to compromise—on quality, ethics, or your vision. Don’t. The right people and opportunities will align when you stay authentic.

Build a strong network. Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you. Collaboration over competition creates lasting impact.

Embrace failure. Every setback is a lesson, every obstacle an opportunity to innovate. Keep pushing forward. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but persistence and passion will get you there.

Where do you see the beauty industry heading in terms of sustainability and responsibility?

The beauty industry is undergoing a much-needed transformation—moving beyond surface-level sustainability claims to true accountability and impact. Consumers today demand more than just clean formulas; they want transparency, ethical sourcing, and real environmental responsibility. Why we are proud to be a BCorp. I see the future of beauty being shaped by:

• Regenerative Ingredients & Biodiversity Protection – Sourcing methods that restore ecosystems rather than deplete them.

• Zero-Waste & Circular Beauty – Refillable, biodegradable, and plastic-free packaging will become the norm, not the exception.

• Responsible Formulations – High-performance products without microplastics, endocrine disruptors, or harmful synthetics will be essential.

• Social Responsibility – Supporting women-led businesses, ethical labor practices, and fair trade will no longer be a marketing angle, but a standard.

At ABHATI Suisse, we’ve been ahead of this shift—sustainability isn’t a trend for us; it’s our foundation. The future of beauty belongs to brands that prioritize both people and the planet, creating luxurious, effective products without compromise.

What role does the ABHATI community play in driving change?

Our community holds us accountable—demanding transparency, pushing for innovation, and inspiring us to continually raise the bar in sustainability and impact.

They are the changemakers, proving that small, intentional choices create a ripple effect that transforms industries and empowers lives.

What message do you want to share with women this Women’s Day?

Own your power. Your voice, your choices, and your actions matter. Whether you’re leading a business, raising a family, or carving out your own path, know that you are shaping the future.

Support other women. True progress happens when we lift each other up, celebrate our successes, and create opportunities for those who come after us.

And most importantly, never dim your light for anyone. Shine unapologetically, step into your purpose, and know that you are enough—exactly as you are.