Samriddhi Shah's journey in women's empowerment began when she was eight years old. Even as a child, she was drawn to initiatives that uplifted women and girls, from participating in Round Table charity projects to supporting Abhinav Vidyalaya, where classrooms were built to improve access to education for young girls. That same year, she dressed up as Smriti Irani, then India's Minister for Women and Child Development, for a school role-play and delivered a speech on women's empowerment.

The video eventually reached the minister's office, and a few days later, Samriddhi received a phone call from Smriti Irani. During the conversation, the minister asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" she replied, "I want to be like you." Smriti Irani smiled and responded, "Why do you want to be like me? Be Samriddhi Shah. Create your own path."

Although she did not fully understand those words at the age of eight, they remained with her. Years later, they became a source of inspiration for founding Kaari Naari, an initiative that creates dignified livelihood opportunities for women through textile craftsmanship, financial literacy, employment pathways, and market access while preserving India's rich textile heritage. Looking back, it is clear that her determined eight-year-old self would have approved of the path she ultimately chose to create.