From Pause to Power: A Startup Story of Three Mompreneurs
Every business has a story. For Poorna R. Prabhu and Neethu Umesh, the story of Dencial wasn’t just about starting a company—it was about reclaiming their independence, their identity, and their dreams in the face of uncertainty. Initially, they co-founded the company alongside Neenu Wilson, who played a pivotal role in establishing its foundation.
They were working professionals before the pandemic disrupted life as we knew it. Poorna, an MTech graduate in Communication Engineering from VIT University, had built a career she was proud of. Neethu, who completed her MBA in Human Resource and Finance from Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences, was equally driven in her field. But when COVID-19 hit, both had to resign from their jobs. As working mothers with family responsibilities, they could have accepted the situation as a setback. Instead, they saw it as a new beginning.
“We wanted financial freedom,” says Poorna. That desire became the spark that eventually lit the path to Dencial.
The turning point came when Poorna came across the Ujjaini Program by Prayaana, in collaboration with KSUM and KDISC. The program offered more than just training—it provided mentorship. Poorna found guidance and inspiration from mentors like Dr. Chandra Vadhana. R and Ms. Divya Ramasingini, who helped her realize the possibilities that lay ahead. Soon after, both Poorna and Neethu began learning everything they could about digital marketing, content creation, and graphic design.
And so, on January 1, 2021, Dencial was born—a venture started with heart, hope, and a lot of hard work. The early days weren’t easy. “We didn’t know how to go about the business,” they admit. But the mentoring they received helped lay the foundation. They enrolled in certified courses and gradually built their skillset.
Initially, Dencial focused solely on graphic designing. But the founders were not ones to settle. Today, their services have expanded to include:
- Video editing
- Social Media Marketing (SMM)
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Despite gaining momentum, life threw another curveball. In 2022, they had to pause operations. It was a tough decision, but one they made with the confidence that they’d return stronger. And they did. By November 2024, Dencial was relaunched—not just as a business, but as a renewed mission. Today, they lead a team of four—all women. Their content creator, Saranya J.S., holds an MCA from Kerala University and is a multitasking mom. Rajani, their social media manager, plays a crucial role in enhancing Dencial’s online presence and engagement. Empowering other women is at the heart of their venture.
In addition to offering services, the Dencial team also conducts video editing and marketing classes, especially for the parental generation, helping them navigate the digital space with confidence. They even launched a podcast page—Heart Conversation by Dencial—to share real stories and create deeper connections with their audience.
Looking back, the founders feel nothing but gratitude. “We worked hard; we didn’t give up,” they say with pride. If there’s one piece of advice they’d give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women entering the digital space, it’s this: “Understand the concepts thoroughly.” Learning the ‘why’ behind what you do can be the difference between survival and success.
As they look to the future, Dencial has its eyes set on website development—another step forward in their journey of growth and innovation. You can reach the team at: dencialcreation@gmail.com
-Staff Reporter
