Herts alumna’s herbal wellness brand placed on new Forbes DGEMS list for having “global potential”
Janhvi Shah, 30, from Raipur, India, who completed her MSc in International Business at Herts in 2019, co-founded her startup Heiland with her younger brother Anant Shah. Anant is a third-generation member of the Shah family’s long-standing herbal business.
Inspired by the herbal heritage of their home region of Chhattisgarh and drawing expertise from their family’s three-generation legacy in herbal manufacturing, the company supplies raw materials to major Ayurvedic and healthcare giants including Emami, Baidyanath, and the Himalaya Drug Company. It also develops its own specialist products, including natural herbal supplements and premium loose-leaf herbal tea blends.
Janhvi says: “Heiland was born out of a deep respect for India’s ancient healing heritage. Our mission has always been simple — to offer the purest form of herbal wellness without compromise.
“Much of my business confidence and strategic thinking has come from my time at Herts. My dissertation on taking products from the manufacturing stage to global markets mirrors exactly what I’m doing today with Heiland. Every module — from international business strategy to communications — shaped the way I built and expanded the brand.”
The Forbes DGEMS Select 200 recognition is an important milestone for Heiland as Janhvi prepares for expansion into new international markets. Already serving customers across India and the UK through Amazon.in, Amazon UK, JioMart and its official website heilandcares.com — plus a premium hotel placement at Marriott Raipur — the company is now exploring partnerships with global retailers, wellness platforms, and hospitality groups.
Janhvi continued: “After completing my degree In 2019 I returned to India in 2019 but with strong confidence in the UK market thanks to my University experience. I now operate Heiland from here, while another Herts alumnus, Bilal Shafiq, founder of BNE Bookkeepers in Hatfield, oversees the brand’s rapidly expanding operations in Hertfordshire.
"Whenever we faced challenges in product research, compliance, or market understanding, we reach out to the University, and they always guide me with solutions — whether through academic insights, industry references, or connections. The continued support from Herts has played a huge role in shaping Heiland’s global expansion."
Damian Ward, Dean of the University of Hertfordshire’s Hertfordshire Business School said: “At Hertfordshire Business School, we pride ourselves on delivering a career-focused education that empowers students to turn ambition into achievement. Janhvi’s success with Heiland is a perfect example of how our practical, globally minded programmes equip graduates with the skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset to fulfil their dreams and make a real impact in international markets.”
Find out more about studying an undergraduate or postgraduate Business course at the Hertfordshire Business School.