Neha Gupta, Founder and Head of Cosmacia, a Leeford Group initiative
As the Founder and Head of Cosmacia, a Leeford Group initiative redefining skincare for the modern Indian woman, Neha Gupta stands at the intersection of ambition and empathy. But beyond boardrooms and brand strategies, she is a mother first, one who has learned to lead both in business and at home with unwavering heart.
For Neha, motherhood hasn’t been about trade-offs. It’s been about truth. The quiet pride in her son’s voice, the deep respect in their questions, and the unspoken belief they carry in her vision… these are the milestones she holds closest. Whether it’s guiding a team at Cosmacia or nurturing young minds at home, Neha doesn’t divide her roles, she layers them, weaving strength and softness into a life lived with full intent.
Her leadership is grounded in authenticity, and her maternal instinct echoes in every decision she makes — from formulating clean, accessible skincare to raising boys who admire not just her strength, but her grace. Here, in an exclusive interview with Sumita Chakraborty, Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, Neha Gupta talks about heading Cosmacia, balancing work and home, being a mother and more…
Over To Neha Gupta, Founder and Head of Cosmacia, a Leeford Group initiative
What’s been the most rewarding part of your motherhood journey so far?
Rewarding are those quiet, unexpected moments that stay with me. I remember that day vividly when my elder son, once paused during dinner and said, ‘Mom, I’m proud of you.’ Honestly, it came out of nowhere and I know for sure that he didn’t say it because he wanted to please me in any way. He said it because he meant it. And that changed something in me.
What touches me most is that he now seeks my advice not just as his mother, but as someone whose perspective he respects. He’ll always ask, ‘What would you do in this situation?’ – and I make sure to turn the question back to him too. I want him to build a perspective, not borrow one.
And my younger son, just stepping into adulthood at 18, recently asked to intern at Cosmacia. Not because he had to. But because he believes in what we’re building here. That belief… that silent, steady support… means more to me than words ever could.
Motherhood, to me, has been the gentle stitching of two worlds- mine and theirs – into something deeply human, deeply whole.
How do you tackle challenges, and what are your 3 milestones that define your journey?
Challenges come wearing different masks- sometimes it’s self-doubt, sometimes it’s chaos. I’ve learned to pause, not panic. I let the wave hit me, but I don’t let it drown me.
I’ve also learned to talk to myself the way I talk to my children… with encouragement, patience, and belief. That has made all the difference.
My three milestones?
- The day Cosmacia launched its first product. I remember holding that bottle and whispering, ‘This is real. You did it.’
- The time I made my first tough business decision- not as someone’s wife, not as someone’s mom, but as me. That was liberating.
- And the moment my sons told me I inspired them- not because I had all the answers, but because I kept asking the right questions.
How do you strike that beautiful balance between work and home life?
It’s less about balance, more about rhythm. Some days are messy. Some days flow like a song. I’ve learned to accept both with grace.
At home, I’m not the MD of Cosmacia. I’m Mom, whose hug can fix most things. At work, I’m Neha, who builds with purpose and leads with heart.
What helps me most is that my world – both personal and professional- isn’t divided. It’s layered. My children know what Cosmacia means to me. My team knows what my family means to me.
And I’ve stopped apologizing for choosing both. Because I am both. And I’ve earned that.
My ‘The Glitz’ quote is…
‘I didn’t choose between motherhood and ambition –
I chose to honour both, and found the most powerful version of myself in the process.’
