Written by: Asmita Saini In an age obsessed with overnight success, Ritika Singh’s story unfolds quietly, persistently, and with purpose. From a shy, book-loving child in Chandigarh who found solace in Tintin and Virginia Woolf to the founder of Kontent Factory, a virtual content agency with global clients, her journey is one of resilience, empathy, and the belief that words can rebuild lives. Early years: books, loss, and ambition Growing up in an Indian Air Force family, Ritika was reserved but curious. “Books were my friends,” she says. “They gave me words for emotions I couldn’t name.” Her childhood revolved around reading, Kathak, and painting, until life shifted at 15 when she lost her father, a fighter pilot. “When you lose your anchor that young, you either drift or learn to steer,” she reflects. The transition from a structured military life to uncertainty was difficult, but it shaped her resolve. She went on to earn a master’s degree in English literature from Panjab University and dreamed of studying at Oxford. “That dream still lives somewhere inside me,” she smiles. Marriage, motherhood, and a turning point Marriage brought stability but also silence. “I loved being a mother, but somewhere I stopped being myself,” she says. A friend’s offhand remark—that she’d have to cook early on a trip because she didn’t “earn a bread”—jolted her. “That one comment changed something in me. I realised I’d allowed my worth to be defined by others.” Ritika took up an administrative job at a life insurance firm. It lasted a year, but it rekindled her confidence. After 13 years of marriage, she found herself divorced, raising two children with limited financial support. “I had no safety net. But I had to work. And I had my words,” she says. Freelance writing for public relations firms followed. “Sometimes I’d be typing at 3 am after putting the kids to bed,” she recalls. “There were nights of doubt and tears, but quitting was never an option.” The birth of Kontent Factory With no funds for an office or marketing, she built her business virtually—long before remote work became fashionable. “Clients doubted me because I didn’t have an office. So I let my work do the talking,” she says. In 2012, her mentor gifted her the domain kontentfactory.in as a birthday surprise. “He said spelling ‘content’ with a K would make people remember it. He was right,” she laughs. From there, word-of-mouth replaced advertising. Today, Kontent Factory offers branding, copywriting, and social media strategy, run entirely online by an all-women team. “Most of us are mothers,” she says. “We understand chaos and deadlines—and we get things done.” Leadership and values Ritika leads with empathy but demands accountability. “We don’t ghost clients or miss commitments,” she says. Integrity remains her cornerstone. “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching—that’s how you build credibility.” Her team describes Kontent Factory as a “safe space with deliverables”. She explains, “We work around life, not the other way around. If women can’t design their work, they’ll always be forced to choose between home and career.” Recognition and impact Beyond business, Ritika serves as chairwoman of the Indian Women Network (IWN) Chandigarh-Tricity for 2024–25, advocating workplace equity and leadership. She also represents 60 global chapters on the TiE Women Board and mentors young entrepreneurs. “Mentorship is my way of paying it forward,” she says. “Someone believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” As part of The Pink Policy Dialogues, a think tank focused on women-centric policy reform, she helps shape conversations on gender equality. “Real change happens when we move from talk to policy,” she says. Lessons from her journey Ritika’s story distils into five lessons: adversity can be a catalyst; start small but with integrity; lead with empathy; success is incremental; and empowering others amplifies your own impact. “I began as a reader who wanted to understand the world,” she says softly. “Somewhere along the way, I became a storyteller who helps others find their voice. That, to me, is success.”
