"I think we're on the precipice of another information revolution." | Creating Her Own Path: Meet the Bold and Innovative Entrepreneur Anushka Joshi

Anushka Joshi is the founder of GEN-ZiNE (a media company for young people rewriting the future) and Friend of a Friend (a dating app designed to meet through mutuals), named on Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 for Media, and an early stage startup operator & advisor. 

As a founder, Anushka has built community-driven brands that fill needs in the market for next-gen consumers. She grew GEN-ZiNE into a global media community with 300+ contributors, campus chapters across 12 states and 3 countries, organic reach in 100+ countries, a multi-channel brand garnering 100,000s+ digital impressions, and brand partnerships with companies like Instagram and Converse. Her latest venture, Friend of a Friend, is preparing to launch their Beta this fall, and has already attracted attention from excited users and publications like Business Insider and Business Class. 

As a leader and operator, Anushka has experience on the ground level of 8+ early stage startups and leads across a number of different problems and industries bringing each different vision to life. She led growth and operations at companies from Seed Rounds to Series A’s. 

From print magazines to algorithms, her future is in exploring how data, digital platforms, & technology shape public opinion and life offline.

Anushka is also a certified meditation teacher, co-hosts a Salon for young professionals, and volunteers across different communities in NYC.

At USC she studied Communication with a minor in Media Economics and Entrepreneurship, and graduated with Order of Troy, Magna Cum Laude, and Media & Entrepreneurship Awards.

Miss EmpowHer: What does women empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Anushka Joshi: Most of the people who have really meaningfully opened doors for me in my career have been women. Women empowerment to me is about having the space, support, and encouragement to not just dream big but to help each other get there. When you don’t see yourself reflected in traditional spaces, it’s important to rely on people who feel (or have felt) similarly to you in order to pave a path that works in your favor. We’re all in the process of paving our own paths, and having people who can help you find and realize your highest visions are a crucial part of the journey. 

Miss EmpowHer: What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing ?

Anushka Joshi: I think the most important ones (that I am still working on cultivating too) are resilience and consistency. Whether you want to be an entrepreneur, or navigating changing industries as an operator--so much of the path is just sticking with it! Another one I would add to that is conviction--having your blinders on to what it is that you want to create or get after will help not only simplify your priorities, but also maintain that trust and faith to keep going. 

"Whether you want to be an entrepreneur, or navigating changing industries as an operator--so much of the path is just sticking with it!"

Miss EmpowHer: Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Anushka Joshi: There are certain women I got to look up to as I was growing up, who became the blueprint in a sense of who or what I could become. But the people who have had the most tangible impact are 3-4 women who doubled as colleagues/advisors and my closest friends. The foundation of friendship means that these women know me better than nearly anyone else on the planet. And there are times where I can confuse myself and run in circles, but they are an additional gut check to help set me back on my path because they have a birds-eye view on me of who I am and what I want. They are not just my “yes women” -- they also tell me no when I need to hear it, and that is invaluable to me. Additionally, many of them have become business partners of mine or are also entrepreneurial themselves. We don’t just help keep each other on track, we walk the path together!

Miss EmpowHer: How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Anushka Joshi: A general rule of thumb for life is you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Ingrained into me as the “airplane mask” rule. If you can feel really grounded in yourself before you start showing up for others during the day, most stressors become “things” instead of these huge fires! Meditation, walking or movement, and some quiet time to myself in the morning help set me up for success. Having a clear head helps you react appropriately to things that inevitably come up. 

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Anushka Joshi: I scaled back my time on my first company, GEN-ZiNE, which was a hard decision. Things were going well but sometimes the personal decision of “knowing when to quit” can help open up doors for you in the future. I had spent 5 years up close on one thing, and I wanted to allow myself the space to see what else was out there so I could set my future self up with a variety of different experiences. It was a “set back”, but in reality it allowed me the time to focus on myself and non-work aspects of my life, and that is priceless to me!

"Things were going well but sometimes the personal decision of “knowing when to quit” can help open up doors for you in the future."

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Anushka Joshi: Avoid being transactional! I think it is so easy to do that today. Especially since we connect more and more virtually, it’s great that we can expand our networks beyond your physical location. But everyone is a person behind those screens too! Being intentional with your relationships and striving for quality vs quantity is important to me. Work relationships are relationships after all -- treat them as such!

Miss EmpowHer: What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Anushka Joshi: I write letters to my future selves when I am daydreaming or visualizing my goals. But I think also writing down the really tactical goals you have and keeping them somewhere you see frequently or can access easily is important. I often clearly define what I am trying to achieve... but if I can't see what it is... sometimes I lose sight of it and can be distracted by other things! 

Miss EmpowHer: What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Anushka Joshi: Both working in media and being an entrepreneur, everything I do is tied to connecting with people. Whether it is through the stories we tell, helping people find their person, or the people I get to work with on a day to day basis, it's the people that matter the most to me at the end of the day. I love the creativity and freedom that come with this line of work. 

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any specific trends or changes in your industry that you see impacting careers, and how you are preparing to adapt to these changes?

Anushka Joshi: In the last few years there have been wild shifts to the media industry. It's shifted from institutional players to individual creators and packaging content differently on social media. Emerging tech companies and platforms often dictate how communication and media changes. I'm excited to see where that continues to go. I think we're on the precipice of another information revolution. 

"I think we're on the precipice of another information revolution."

Miss EmpowHer: What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Anushka Joshi: Work hard but have patience! Good things take time to build, try to see the long game and not just instant gratification for your life and career. 

Miss EmpowHer: How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry? 

Anushka Joshi: One of the areas I wanted to focus on developing for myself was people leadership and management. Look at every interaction you have as getting your reps in -- how you show up for every meeting, 1:1, and message is practice, even if it feels mundane. 

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Anushka Joshi: GEN-ZiNE was a mission percolating in my mind in 2014, was born in 2018, and was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media list in 2024. It’s nice to have your work recognized in a tangible way, but I am most proud of the decade long journey. It gave me an outlet for passion and creativity, and it also provided that for so many other people too. Meeting all the people I have along the way and being able to work with them to bring a shared mission to life is the most rewarding part. I’ve found similarly, that while building Friend of a Friend the most exciting part is working with my team and interacting with excited users. The happiness for me is in people and the everyday journey!

Miss EmpowHer: How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Anushka Joshi: There was a time where work took over all of the other facets of my life. When you're young and hungry you want to do it all as soon as possible. But the reality is that hopefully we get to do it all for a long long time. Now I see all the aspects of my life as equal--how can I make sure all the cups are filled? That doesn't mean I focus an equal amount on everything every day, but it helps me keep tabs on everything that matters to me. What is filled, and what needs filling?

Miss EmpowHer: Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Anushka Joshi: I love how much joy and enthusiasm Sara Blakely lives her life with! Her energy is contagious and represents a balanced yet zestful life. 

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