Dhruvi Patwa, a former Google Product Manager, made headlines by turning down a coveted promotion and returning to India in 2024 to pursue entrepreneurship on her own terms. Having joined Google at 24 and quickly risen to lead growth and revenue for App Ads, she described the role as her “dream job” at the time. Yet, when the promotion offer arrived after a year and a half of strong performance, her reaction was unexpectedly subdued: “Okay… what next?” The moment felt like the end of a long chase rather than a new beginning.

In a candid LinkedIn post and interview with the Financial Express, Patwa explained the deeper reasons behind her decision. While the Google career path offered stability and prestige—potentially leading to Senior Product Manager and beyond—she felt constrained by the realities of the H-1B visa. The visa, while a privilege, tied her future to her employer and limited her ability to take entrepreneurial risks or start something independently without significant legal and immigration hurdles.

At the same time, Patwa observed India’s startup ecosystem gaining remarkable momentum since around 2016. She felt a growing emotional and professional pull to build in a market she deeply understood and belonged to culturally. “I wanted control over my own life and the freedom to create something from the ground up for a purpose closer to home,” she reflected.

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After careful financial planning to ensure she could sustain a fresh start, Patwa relocated to India and joined a bootstrapped hair care and colour brand. She is now focused on scaling the venture using her own channels and building it from zero. The early months brought doubts about whether the move was premature, but she soon found balance—being near family provided emotional support, while the flexibility allowed her to prioritize health and personal interests outside work.

Patwa’s story highlights a growing trend among Indian professionals abroad: choosing purpose, autonomy, and cultural connection over traditional high-profile corporate ladders, especially as India’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to mature and offer compelling opportunities.

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