Entrepreneur Builds on Family’s Example, Grows Successful Business

Purnima Voria’s story is one of inspiration and achievement.  Growing up in India, Voria watched her father build a successful company importing U.S. farm equipment.  After several years and many business successes, her family came to the U.S. to pursue the American dream.  Inspired by her father’s example, she merged her love for her home and her newly adopted-country, and developed a strong desire to help U.S. business owners bring high quality products overseas to India.

In 2005, Voria founded the National U.S. India Chamber of Commerce (NUICC ), which leads trade missions and delegations to India.  These missions began humbly, with her using her family and social connections to help a U.S. textile machine manufacturer with embroidery computer software to access the Indian market.  Thanks to her connections and know-how, Voria was able to help the U.S. textile manufacturer connect with the top Indian manufacturer of textiles clothing, an exporter to major U.S. clothing stores.  With only a handshake to seal the deal, they were able to sell 100 machines with software packages.  Voria had found her niche and recognized the positive impact that she could have on both countries by serving as a mentor to U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs.

Her efforts did not go unnoticed.  In 2005, she was awarded a Congressional Medal of Distinction for her outstanding leadership in business and her contributions in helping to grow the U.S. economy.  The Wall Street Journal also honored Ms. Voria as Business Woman of the Year.

Voria thrives in helping others. As a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Advisory Council, she has the opportunity to share her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.  On the Advisory Council, she has advocated for minority businesses that wish to do business internationally.  During a recent roundtable discussion hosted at the U.S. Department of Commerce by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), she spoke on some of the challenges that businesses face when doing business abroad.  She also highlighted the valuable opportunities that await companies that are willing to seek out international relationships through organizations such as NUICC. 

Ten years ago, NUICC was formed at the request of the political and business leaders of the United States and the high level government and business leaders of India to engage public and private sectors of their respective countries to accelerate trade and investment. The membership of NUICC now spans across a wide spectrum of industries, with direct membership strength of over 9,200 people worldwide. NUICC's mission is to promote bilateral trade between the United States and India, cultivating business relationships that result in business deals.  NUICC consults with small and large U.S. corporations to market and source their products and services to qualified local partners, providing a road map for businesses that are entering the Indian marketplace.

Voria’s business passion exemplifies growth, diversification and transformation, making her a true champion for the minority business community.