Ashok Gupta Biography:
Ashok Gupta, the founder of Amritam Pharmaceuticals, has faced many challenges since his early years. His mother suffered from paralysis and mental health issues, which forced him to start working at a very young age—around 12 or 13—doing various jobs such as working in publishing, supermarkets, and as a mechanic.
Despite these efforts, his true passion lay elsewhere: in Ayurveda and making a meaningful impact in this ancient healing system.
Who Is Ashok Gupta?
A pivotal moment in Ashok’s life came when an Ayurvedic practitioner named Shri Srivastava successfully treated his mother’s illness. This breakthrough ignited Ashok’s interest in Ayurveda, motivating him to study the field even without formal education. He developed a particular focus on women’s health issues like PCOD and leucorrhea.
Ashok’s career began humbly as a packer in a local Ayurvedic firm. Soon, he took to traveling on a bicycle, rickshaw, and bus to sell products directly to nearby villages. His efforts earned the trust of local doctors and healers. He further boosted sales using a vehicle equipped with a loudspeaker, drawing more attention and increasing demand.
Ashok Gupta’s Career & Business Growth:
Starting in packaging, Ashok gradually transitioned into direct marketing across villages. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, he had created an extensive distribution network and built a substantial marketing team.
Although a family dispute in 1991 forced a split, leaving him with only a small distributorship, Ashok was determined to start his own company someday.
Ashok Gupta Launched Amrutam:
Between 2006 and 2016, Ashok dedicated long hours to developing Amrutam, an innovative Ayurvedic malt supplement that combined herbs’ extracts, juices, and decoctions to boost immunity. This product was a first in India’s Ayurvedic market, which was then dominated by syrups with minimal active ingredients.
However, the journey wasn’t smooth. The company faced numerous setbacks, such as failed packaging designs, financial losses, and a steep learning curve about the market. Ashok experienced bankruptcy, psychological stress, and humiliation from competitors and peers. Additionally, key marketing staff were poached, and his agency was dropped, leading to further setbacks estimated to cost hundreds of crores INR.
Ashok Gupta Family :
Ashok never gave up. The real turnaround came in 2016 when his wife, Chandrakanta Gupta, took charge with determination. She helped restructure the company, managed debts, rebranded the business, and introduced fresh marketing strategies.
Thanks to Chandrakanta’s leadership, Amrutam revived. They introduced new products, including a popular hair care line and a women’s health malt supplement called “Nari Malt,” which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s workforce grew from just six employees to over 200.
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Ashok Gupta Net Worth:
From a debt of nearly 5 crore INR, Amrutam grew into a 100-crore INR brand, influencing health across India and beyond. Ashok and Chandrakanta credit their success to passion, perseverance, and strong family support. They are vocal supporters of women’s empowerment, encouraging housewives and others to embrace entrepreneurship.
Ashok emphasizes following one’s passion (junoons) over superficial markers like social status or circumstances. He advises staying active, avoiding fear and confusion, and constantly learning. Platforms like Josh Talks have played a significant role in inspiring entrepreneurs like him.
Ashok Gupta Father:
Ashok’s father was a halwai (sweet maker). His mother’s paralysis and mental health struggles were aggravated by family stress and poverty. By his early teens, Ashok took on various jobs—from door-to-door sales to handling telegram deliveries, even trying his hand as a magnetic healer at fairs.
An Ayurvedic practitioner’s successful treatment of his mother sparked Ashok’s interest in the field. From there, he tirelessly marketed Ayurvedic products across villages using cycles, rickshaws, and buses. By 1986, he was promoting products using a speaker-equipped van, building strong relationships with local Ayurvedic doctors and pharmacies.
Ashok Gupta Wife:
Working hard ingrained in Ashok the importance of money and effort to thrive in life. Despite financial struggles, he maintained a forward-looking attitude. His tough childhood inspired him to ensure his children received the best education possible.
His children, Agnim and Stuti, were encouraged to read broadly and were given freedom in their schedules to balance business and learning.
Conclusion:
Ashok Gupta’s story is a powerful example of how dedication and resilience can transform failure into success. From a difficult upbringing to building Amrutam Pharmaceuticals, Ashok overcame many obstacles with the support of his wife.
Today, he leads a 100-crore Ayurvedic brand that promotes health and women’s well-being with equal passion.