Nidhi Sharma – Co-Founder & Director, Guni SMS
My journey in business has been shaped by persistence, consistency, continuous learning and, above all, a genuine belief in the power of relationships.
I am the Co-Founder and Director of Guni SMS, an award-winning Australian bulk SMS company helping businesses use text messaging to communicate more effectively across their operations and marketing. From reminders and notifications to shipping updates and marketing campaigns, we help businesses connect with their customers in simple, timely and meaningful ways.
Guni is a family-run business that I have built alongside my life partner, Kapil. While Kapil brings his technical and product expertise to the business, I found my passion in sales, marketing, building relationships and helping businesses communicate better.
Building a Business Through Persistence
Building a business in Australia has taught me that success rarely happens overnight. The journey has come with challenges, setbacks and plenty of moments of self-doubt. But through every stage, persistence and consistency have kept me moving forward.
There have been times when things did not go according to plan, but I learned that progress is often about continuing to show up, learning from every experience and taking the next step forward.
This year has been particularly special for me. Through the Women with Altitude Altitude Awards 2026, I was honoured to receive two awards — Fresh One to Watch – Fresh Ideas & Innovator Award and Inspiring Woman of the Year 2026.
For me, these awards are much more than personal achievements. They represent the journey behind Guni — almost seven years of hard work, learning, taking risks and continuing to believe in what we were building, even during the more difficult moments.
Family, Ambition and Finding Balance
Beyond business, I am a proud mum of twin girls. Being both a mother and an entrepreneur has reinforced my belief that women do not have to choose between family and ambition.
We can build businesses, create meaningful impact, support our families and still make time to learn, grow and pursue our own aspirations.
For me, entrepreneurship has never been about choosing one part of life over another. It is about finding a way to build something meaningful while staying connected to the people and values that matter most.
The Power of Relationships
I am also passionate about supporting other small-business owners, particularly women who are building their own businesses and pursuing their ambitions.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my journey is that people ultimately buy from people. Products and services matter, but trust, genuine relationships and consistency can make an equally important difference.
Building relationships is not simply about making a sale. It is about listening, understanding people’s challenges, being genuine and showing up consistently. Some of the most valuable opportunities and lessons in my journey have come through the relationships I have built along the way.
Creating Something Meaningful
For me, entrepreneurship is not simply about building a company. It is about creating something meaningful, creating opportunities and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
My journey with Guni has shown me that success can take many forms. Sometimes it is a business milestone or an award. Sometimes it is a customer who trusts you, a relationship that grows over time, or simply knowing that you kept going when things were difficult.
If my journey can inspire even one woman to believe in herself, take that first step and pursue something she is passionate about, then it makes the journey even more meaningful.
I believe there is no single definition of success. For me, it is about continuing to learn, continuing to grow, supporting others along the way and having the courage to keep building — one step at a time.
