‘I have no money’: Forbes 30 Under 30 founder Sofia Panwar on ‘embarrassment’ of financial collapse

A UK-based entrepreneur who once built a successful 7-figure business now claims to have “no money”. Sofia Panwar opened up about the “shame” and “embarrassment” of going from financial stability to relying on government aid in an Instagram video.

Lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Sofia Panwar founded Unndr, a lingerie subscription service, in 2021. Last year, she and her co-founder featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 List Europe for Retail and E-commerce. According to her LinkedIn profile, Panwar was associated with the brand till July 2026.

In her Instagram video last week, she claimed that liquidating the company left her with little money. Walking to a mandatory Universal Credit appointment, the London-based entrepreneur addressed the “shame, embarrassment” and isolation of watching her financial standing collapse.

“I’m on my way to my Universal Credit meeting. Yes, this is after Forbes. This is after building a 7-figure business,” she said in the video. “This is after all of that, because my business left me with nothing… I have no money.”

“A few years ago, I was building a 7-figure business. Today, I’m walking to my Universal Credit appointment after liquidating that same business,” the London-based entrepreneur added in the caption.

“A few years ago, I was building a 7-figure business. Today, I’m walking to my Universal Credit appointment after liquidating that same business,” the London-based entrepreneur added in the caption.

(Also read:₹1 crore in London to cleaning flats in Melbourne: ‘I’ve realised that money is freedom’”> Indian woman goes from earning ₹1 crore in London to cleaning flats in Melbourne: ‘I’ve realised that money is freedom’)

Universal Credit refers to the UK government’s social security welfare benefit. It is a monthly payment provided to help people who are on a low income, out of work or unable to work cover basic living and housing costs.

Panwar acknowledged that while she retains her personal platform and past accomplishments, the sudden absence of financial security had taken an emotional toll.

She acknowledged that having “no money” was not even the hardest part of her new life, it was the “shame” of people knowing.

“I think the hardest part isn’t even the financial reality of it. It’s the shame that can come with feeling like you’ve gone backwards,” she said. “The embarrassment of people knowing. The voice in your head telling you that you should have it all figured out by now.”

Panwar said that she debated long and hard before posting the truth about her financial situation on social media. For months, she told herself that she would post her ‘comeback’ story online.

However, she decided to get candid in the video in an attempt to destigmatise setbacks. She noted how millions of people across the world are quietly navigating financial difficulties.

“There are so many people quietly going through their own version of rock bottom right now. Losing businesses, jobs, relationships, money, confidence, or simply the life they thought they would have. I can say confidently all of those things are me right now,” she said.

“So maybe there is more power in showing you the middle.”

(Also read: Laid off on H-1B, Indian man took up cleaning job to survive in the US: ‘Money ran out faster than I thought’)

Sofia Panwar ended her post on a hopeful note, saying she would not give up on herself or her dreams.

“This chapter is uncomfortable, humbling and sometimes heartbreaking. But it’s still only a chapter,” she said.

…Read MoreSanya Jain is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Digital. She has nearly a decade of experience in covering offbeat stories that speak to the everyday experience — from viral videos to human interest copies that spark a conversation. Her interests stretch across business, pop culture, social media trends, entertainment and global affairs. Before joining Hindustan Times, Sanya spent two years with Moneycontrol and five years with NDTV. She holds an undergraduate degree in English literature from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a master’s in journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. Sanya has a sharp eye for spotting emerging trends and finding newsworthy angles in viral content. She writes about a wide range of topics, from business leaders and social issues to everyday people and internet trends. She enjoys speaking to content creators, newsmakers and entrepreneurs and turning their experiences and stories into engaging, relatable articles. Read Less