Sonya Singh
Sonya Singh is a force of nature, a visionary who has merged her corporate expertise with an unyielding commitment to empowering women in the world of entrepreneurship. AsEditor-in-Chief of Celestia, she has crafted a platform that not only informs but uplifts, offering women the tools, resources and community support they need to navigate the multifaceted journey of entrepreneurship.
Trained in Atlanta, USA, Sonya’s career took root in the high-energy environment of Dubai, where she thrived for over a decade in the corporate world. But it was her entrepreneurial spirit, long nurtured in the quiet moments of reflection, that led her to step away from the corporate ladder and venture into the world of business on her own terms. What began as a personal yearning to fulfil her entrepreneurial dreams quickly became a mission to create something larger, something that could serve as a beacon for other women struggling to balance ambition with personal life.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, especially the push and pull between professional success and personal commitments, Sonya founded Celestia. The platform she envisioned is not merely a business tool, but a vibrant ecosystem of women supporting women.
Through Celestia, Sonya addresses the practical needs of female entrepreneurs while nurturing a deeper sense of community and belonging. It is a space where they can find inspiration, resources and connections and where their achievements are celebrated without hesitation or guilt.
Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, Sonya’s leadership extends into her work with the Lions Club as Zone Leader for London, where she combines her skills as a strategist with her passion for community service. Her ability to lead with empathy, while keeping a clear vision, has allowed her to build bridges not only in business but also within the charitable sector. It is this unique blend of business acumen, empathetic leadership and commitment to community empowerment that has made Sonya a role model for female entrepreneurs and leaders.
Her story is one of resilience, innovation and the power of collective action. Sonya has shown that entrepreneurship is not just about personal success but about forging a path that others can follow, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and growth. In a world where women often face barriers that their male counterparts do not, Sonya stands as a testament to the fact that success, when aligned with purpose and heart, can break down those barriers and light the way for others.
All information and links were correct at the date of original publication on
20 Jan 2026
You transitioned from a successful corporate career in Dubai to entrepreneurship. What was the tipping point that made you decide to take this leap and how did your corporate experience shape your approach to starting Celestia?
To be honest, there was never just “one” tipping point for me. I have always been entrepreneurial at heart. Even during my corporate years in Dubai, I felt a constant pull toward building something of my own, something that aligned with my values of women’s independence and empowerment. I grew up in a home where my father ingrained freedom, ambition and courage into all three of his daughters. He raised us to believe we could achieve anything if we were hardworking, disciplined and smart. That ethos shaped my entire identity.
As the eldest, I naturally embraced leadership. I was ambitious, competitive, even with my male cousins when I was younger and I genuinely enjoyed taking on challenges that stretched me. Independence was never a necessity for me, it was a way of life my father had rooted deeply into us. So when I felt I had outgrown the corporate structure, the idea of entrepreneurship did not scare me, it felt like a natural evolution.
Moving from Dubai to the UK was a big shift, but it pushed me to re-imagine my professional path. Joining my husband in the Double Glazing venture gave me a hands-on initiation into entrepreneurship. From there, I went on to build Solux Lighting in India, Manufacturing and supplying LED and solar products to government and major corporations and later founded Bonvoyo for corporate travel. Every venture strengthened my belief that the world offers endless opportunities, you just have to be courageous and smart enough to seize them.
Celestia, however, came from a more emotional space. It was born when my daughter turned 18. Instead of giving her a designer bag, I wanted to gift her a legacy, a platform that empowers women, shares real entrepreneurial journeys and inspires financial freedom. I wanted her to inherit not luxury, but leadership. Celestia is an extension of everything I believe in. Ambition without apology, women standing tall without guilt and the idea that hard work and education have no substitute.
My corporate experience in Dubai gave me structure, discipline and a global perspective. It taught me professionalism, negotiation and the importance of relationships, all of which became the backbone of how I built Celestia. But the spirit behind Celestia came from my upbringing, my values and my lifelong mission to use my journey to uplift other women. So the leap into entrepreneurship wasn’t a risk for me, it was a return to who I have always been.
So, my corporate experience shaped my discipline and strategy, but my life experience shaped Celestia’s soul. It began with me and now continues with my daughter, a generational legacy of empowered women building empowered futures.
As Editor-in-Chief of Celestia, you have built a platform that empowers women entrepreneurs. What are some of the most rewarding moments you have had in seeing Celestia evolve and what kind of impact do you hope it will continue to have on women in business?
One of the most rewarding aspects of building Celestia has been witnessing how deeply it resonates with women, often in ways I never anticipated when the journey began. What started as a magazine has evolved into a living, breathing community. Some of the most fulfilling moments for me have been when women reach out to say that Celestia has made them feel seen, validated or less alone in their entrepreneurial journey. Whether It is a founder finding the courage to take the next step after reading another woman’s story or a small business gaining visibility and confidence through our platform, those moments remind me why Celestia exists.
Seeing women who were once hesitant step into the spotlight, share their journeys openly and then go on to collaborate, grow or even pivot their businesses through connections made within the Celestia ecosystem has been incredibly powerful. It is a reminder that visibility is not just about being featured, It is about feeling supported and encouraged to own your space.
Looking ahead, my hope is that Celestia continues to be a platform that champions authenticity over perfection. I want it to remain a place where women in business can share not only their successes, but also their challenges, doubts and lessons learned, without fear or judgement.
Ultimately, the impact I hope Celestia will have is to shift the narrative around what success looks like for women. Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of wellbeing, balance or identity. Through Celestia, I want women to feel empowered to build businesses on their own terms, to value community over competition and to believe that their stories, exactly as they are, truly matter.
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Your role as Zone Leader for the Lions Club in London is a testament to your leadership beyond the business world. How has this role shaped your leadership style and how do you apply those skills to your entrepreneurial ventures?
My role as a Zone Leader for the Lions Club in London has been a deeply grounding and humbling experience. It has reinforced for me that true leadership is not about authourity or visibility, but about service, responsibility and consistency.
Working within the Lions Club places you at the heart of community-driven leadership. You are guiding, supporting and motivating people who are volunteering their time and energy purely to serve others. This has shaped my leadership style to be far more empathetic and people-centric. You learn quickly that listening is just as important as leading and that progress happens when individuals feel valued, supported and empowered.
One of the most important lessons I have taken from this role is the ability to lead with purpose rather than ego. In the Lions Club, impact comes from collaboration, trust and shared values, not from hierarchy. That mindset has seamlessly carried into my entrepreneurial journey.
In my businesses, including Celestia, I apply these same principles. I focus on building environments where people feel safe to contribute ideas, take ownership and grow. I lead with clarity and intention, but also with compassion, recognising that sustainable success comes from aligned teams and meaningful relationships, not just targets and outcomes.
Ultimately, my experience with the Lions Club has strengthened my belief that leadership, whether in service or in business, is most powerful when it is rooted in integrity, inclusivity
and a genuine desire to create positive impact. Lions Journey has also helped me to reinitiate ‘We care and Share ‘which was established five years ago and now relaunched. A first of its kind of foundation which looks after Female Entrepreneurs and helps them in their journeys of success and fulfilling dreams.
In your work with female entrepreneurs, what do you believe are the most significant barriers women face in balancing their business goals with personal responsibilities and how can women overcome these challenges?
In my work with female entrepreneurs, one of the most significant barriers I see is the internal pressure women place on themselves to excel in every role simultaneously, as business owners, partners, mothers, daughters and caregivers. Society often celebrates women for “doing it all,” yet rarely acknowledges the emotional and mental load that comes with it.
Another major challenge is the lack of structural support. Many women build businesses without access to flexible systems, reliable childcare, understanding partners or supportive professional networks. This can lead to burnout, guilt and the feeling that personal wellbeing must be sacrificed in order to succeed professionally.
There is also a persistent mindset barrier. Women are often conditioned to put themselves last, to feel guilty for prioritising ambition or to hesitate when asking for help. This internalconflict can quietly limit growth and confidence, even when the capability is clearly there.
Overcoming these challenges starts with redefining success on your own terms. Balance does not look the same for everyone and it does not have to be perfectly equal at all times. Giving yourself permission to create a business that works around your life, rather than the other way around, is a powerful shift.
Building strong support systems is equally essential. Whether through community, partnerships, mentorship or platforms like Celestia, women thrive when they are surrounded by others who understand their realities and can offer both practical and emotional support.
Finally, embracing boundaries and self-compassion is key. Sustainable success comes from acknowledging that rest, wellbeing and personal fulfilment are not distractions from business growth, they are foundations for it. When women feel supported, confident and aligned, they are far more capable of building businesses that succeed without compromising who they are.
Looking back on your entrepreneurial journey, what advice would you give to the next generation of female founders who may be hesitant to take the leap?
Looking back, the advice I would give to the next generation of female founders is this. You do not need to have everything figured out to begin.
So many women hesitate because they are waiting for the perfect moment, more confidence, more clarity, more resources. The truth is, confidence is built through action, not before it. Every meaningful step I took came with uncertainty, but it also came with growth.
I would also encourage women to trust their instincts. If you feel a persistent pull towards an idea or a vision, It is there for a reason. Not every voice around you will understand your journey and that’s okay. What matters is staying connected to your own values and purpose.
Another important lesson is to stop measuring your progress against someone else’s timeline. Entrepreneurship is not linear and success does not always look polished from the outside. There will be moments of doubt, pauses and pivots and none of those mean you’re failing.
Finally, build community early. Surround yourself with people who support your ambition, challenge you constructively and remind you of your strengths when you forget them yourself. No one builds anything meaningful alone.
Taking the leap is rarely about fear disappearing, It is about moving forward despite it. If you’re willing to learn, stay resilient and remain true to who you are, you’re already more
prepared than you think.
You have created a community for women entrepreneurs that emphasises support, not competition. How do you think a collaborative approach to entrepreneurship can help women excel and what does that look like in practice for you??
I truly believe that collaboration is one of the most powerful tools women have in entrepreneurship. For far too long, we have been conditioned to believe that there is limited space at the table, that success is scarce and that competition is inevitable. In reality, when women support one another, the possibilities expand rather than shrink.
A collaborative approach allows women to grow without constantly feeling the need to compare or compete. It creates an environment where knowledge is shared, opportunities are opened and challenges are met collectively. When women feel supported rather than threatened, they are far more likely to take risks, speak openly about their struggles and pursue growth with confidence.
In practice, this is exactly what we aim to cultivate through Celestia. Collaboration shows up in how we tell stories, celebrating journeys honestly, without glorifying perfection. It is reflected in the way we connect women to one another, encouraging partnerships, referrals and meaningful conversations rather than surface-level networking.
For me, collaboration also means being intentional about inclusivity. It is about creating spaces where women at different stages of their journey, from early founders to seasoned leaders, can learn from each other without hierarchy or judgement. Everyone brings value and everyone has something to offer.
Ultimately, collaboration shifts entrepreneurship from a solitary pursuit into a shared experience. When women come together with openness and generosity, they do not just build stronger businesses, they build resilience, confidence and communities that allow everyone to excel.
With your extensive experience in both business and community leadership, what do you think is the key to successful leadership in the modern world, especially for women and how can aspiring leaders integrate both empathy and strategic thinking into their leadership styles?
In today’s world, I believe the key to successful leadership, especially for women, lies in the ability to lead with both clarity and compassion. The idea that leadership must be either strategic or empathetic is outdated. The most effective leaders are those who can hold both at the same time.
From my experience in business and community leadership, I have learned that empathy builds trust and trust is what allows strategy to work. When people feel seen, heard and respected, they are more engaged, more resilient and more willing to contribute meaningfully. Empathy doesn’t weaken leadership, it strengthens it by creating alignment and loyalty.
At the same time, empathy without direction can lead to burnout and blurred boundaries. Strategic thinking is essential. It provides focus, structure and long-term vision. For women in leadership, this means being confident in decision-making, setting clear priorities and understanding that saying no is often just as important as saying yes.
Aspiring leaders can integrate both by first becoming deeply self-aware, understanding their values, strengths and non-negotiables. When your leadership is rooted in purpose, strategic decisions feel more intentional rather than reactive. Listening actively, asking thoughtful questions and involving others in problem-solving while still maintaining clarity of direction creates a balanced leadership approach.
Definitely, Modern leadership is not about control or perfection, It is about influence, integrity and impact. When women lead with empathy guided by strategy, they don’t just build successful organisations, they create cultures where people thrive and grow alongside them.
We want to thank Sonya for her insightful views and insights about working with motivation, strategy, belief that allows them to sustain success when they achieve it. To contact Sonya visit https://www.instagram.com/celestia_magazine/