Women Entrepreneurs

This S&A feature showcases the stories of female entrepreneurs who are commanding their companies to unchartered territories, and to inspire and empower other women to turn their ideas into successful businesses. By interviewing female founders we have tried to find out about the entrepreneurial spirit that drives these women, learn how they got started and what they wish they’d known before entering the start-up world.

Despite all of their differences, these women have something in common – they are all great role models who are passionate, determined and committed to turning their ideas into reality, building successful businesses!

Curated by: Dipika Chopra

Farah Malik Bhanji

Sophia Premjee

Sonita Unadkat

Rina Shah

Rinku Madan

Mala Jasuja

Kanika Bhatia

Sonal Jindal

Shruti Kaul

Nidhi Sharma Chadha

Geetanjalee Bahl

Reema Arora

Sunaina Harjai

Mona Puniani

Veta Ratra

Nikita Khattar

Farah Malik Bhanji

A Daring Dreamer

Graduated from the University of Texas with high honors in Finance and Mathematics, Farah Malik Bhanji is a third generation entrepreneur with footwear retailing in her genes. With her strong business acumen, attention to detail and flair for fashion, Farah has led Metro Shoes into the new era of modern retailing, be it marketing, product development, new concept development and information technology. The key is to have clarity of mind with regards to where you want to position your brand and how you want to go about it, the CEO & MD of Metro Shoes Ltd told S&A.

“Never make the success of your business lull you into inaction. The power of pre-emptive approach will keep you ahead of the competition and help you tide over any potential business challenges.”

 

Background
When I started, I was not sure if I would always be involved in our family business. It was not a strong expectation. However, the more I was exposed to the different facets of the business, the more I enjoyed it. Retail is extremely challenging. It is a customer-facing business and needs to continuously evolve based on changing demands. Fashion retail is exciting because you are genuinely engaging with the way a person lives his or her life.

Beliefs
True entrepreneurship means never becoming complacent. It’s about always questioning the way a business runs and about changing processes to match the current needs of the organization. True entrepreneurship means keeping one foot inside the business and one outside keeping track of the way the world is changing.

Mantra
Having been born in a family with only sisters, we were never made to feel like there were things women could not achieve. At such a time, I believe it is time for us to stop singling out women entrepreneurs because they are women, and instead start applauding entrepreneurship in its essence because it is a challenge to create a concept and turn it into reality. It is all about paying attention to all the details, be it big or small. I am, however, extremely grateful to the support network of my family that has enabled me to pursue my passion and raise my children in a balanced fashion.

Importance of working women
India has the 2nd largest and the youngest population in the world. Roughly half the population of India is female. If we have more working women, we increase the productivity of our country. In our industry as well women shoppers, sometimes, prefer interacting with saleswomen who, sometimes, are better at perceiving their needs. Given India’s significant population, entrepreneurs have a huge scope at marketing products for women. As more women begin working, they have more disposable and, more importantly, independent income and thus the freedom to spend on their needs.

Key to success
Believing in yourself can make all the difference. To start with, the mental block that differentiates a man from a woman must be debunked; it is a myth. Going forward, the key is to have clarity of mind with regards to where you want to position your brand and how you want to go about it. There is no recipe to success but belief, clarity a great team and consistent hard work.

Challenges
Today, there is increasing competition from other brands and India’s retail landscape is changing every day. The basic strategy which I adopted is to consider my own brand as my greatest competitor and continually strive to excel and become better than what we were yesterday. We are asked time and again on competition with e-commerce players. I do feel that is a boon and not bane. It is an opportunity to be part of a marketplace that will never have its shutters down. The flexibility and analytics of online sales are now influencing our overall decision making.

Experience
In retail, you have to wear many hats. If you are looking at budgets today, then you are looking at store interiors tomorrow or visiting a factory or checking bounce rates on the website. Being an entrepreneur requires you to get outside your comfort zone and get your hands dirty.

Advice
Be headstrong and determined about what you want. Believe in your dreams fervently and watch them turn into reality with time. Also, never make the success of your business lull you into inaction. The power of pre-emptive approach will keep you ahead of the competition and help you tide over any potential business challenges. In other words, despite the success keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Future
Digitisation and bringing online and offline together will be a focus area this year. Besides this, we also want to strengthen our hold in the tier II and tier III markets.

Sophia Premjee

Nurturer of a Lord

Sophia Premjee is a perfectionist. During her 20 years stint with Lords footwear retail, she has transformed it from a regular retail store to one of the most respected and dominant retailers. Fascinatingly though, she has done the magic for Lords consistently with Shoes & Accessories bestowing the Most Admired Retailer award four times since 2012. Sophia took a completely different path for her business and boost of distinctive clientele which includes Bollywood celebrities, Shah Rukh Khan and Shahid Kapur, to name a couple, politicians and television personalities.

“The most wonderful thing about being a woman is the fabulous opportunity we have to multitask and enjoy the various facets of life, be it family, career, the home front or social life.”

 

Background
From childhood, I was interested in a career that involved creativity and design. I had a shoe fetish; I remember a trip to Thailand as a college student when I returned with 16 pairs of shoes in my suitcases. So when I married Karim Premjee, owner of Lord’s shoes, my parents were pretty pleased that I would have the scope to indulge myself.

Motivation
A passion for fashion &footwear. I love dressing up and seeing well-attired people well-heeled (literally) too. It is creatively satisfying to offer an eclectic range of shoes that blends the traditional with the contemporary and see a customer walk out of the store with a smile on the face.

Beliefs
We all harbor dreams. To me, entrepreneurship is the capacity to pick up on our dreams and translate vision into action, underpinned by innovation and calculated risk-taking. It is the ability to develop ideas into concrete products or services by organizing and managing a venture so as to generate profit.

On women entrepreneur
The seed of entrepreneurial activity is an idea and the will to make it succeed. The idea needs to be watered with innovation, development and funding for it to take root. Anticipatory thinking is vital to ensuring that the activity satisfies a need or demand, for it to be sustainable. Growth is subsequently achieved through team building, organization, marketing and sales.

Importance of working women
Women comprising about 48% of the population,we need to shift our approach to women becoming ‘parallel earners’. By ensuring education of women, we can look forward to India raising a productive work force of women that can become a significant driver for India’s growth.

Keys to success
The most wonderful thing about being a woman is the fabulous opportunity we have to multitask and enjoy the various facets of life, be it family, career, the home front or social life. While this balancing act is a skill, it is important to realize that it isn’t about choosing one priority over the other; it is about accommodating all the priorities and facts of life that we women hold the potential to enjoy.

Challenges
Liberalization led to an influx of global players and internationally recognized brands posing a threat to home-grown brands. In order to compete and survive meant focusing on our brand USP and repositioning ourselves. The rapid changes in retail formats, with mushrooming of malls and online stores have thrown up their share of challenges as well. Challenges are opportunities to better one’s self and come up with innovative solutions to obstacles.

Experience
Being actively engaged as a volunteer in social service and community development activities enabled me to hone skills such as strategy, planning, target setting, communication, HR management, leadership, team building and training. Being a mother of three lovely children taught me patience.

Different from what you imagined
Used to seeing customers try on shoe after shoe, preen in front of the mirrors at our stores and ensure a good comfortable fit before zeroing in on their purchases, I had honestly not imagined that someday people would shop for shoes through a handheld device – and that they would actually be satisfied with the fit!

Greatest highlights
Being awarded with ISAA “Most Admired Multi-brand Footwear Retailer – West” in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. A highlight that will always be quite special is when Paris Hilton at the India Resort Fashion Week adorned Lord’s shoes. Lord’s had put together a scintillating and chic collection for the 24 fashion designers at the show.

Skills to run a business
Confidence and conviction in oneself is the key to start and operate a successful enterprise. Faith in one’s ideas, one’s abilities, the products and/or services is an attribute has a ripple effect, enthusing the organization and staff, inspiring investor confidence and also eliciting trust from a client or customer in turn.

Advice
I would refrain from advising, but one message I would like to share with women is what I have learnt through experience – Believe in yourself and walk the talk with conviction by being the change you want to see.

Future
Business-wise, future plans entail consolidation followed by expansion through online and offline platforms. Personally, I enjoy devoting some time regularly to fitness and would like to continue running marathons to benefit causes close to my heart.

Sonita Unadkat

A Relentless Pursuit

Since 2007 Sonita Unadkat has been bringing the best of British products to India. Urban Shore, the company Sonita founded, started with 23 brands, and has continued to add on. Having studied Financial Economics in London, she began her career working at Harrods where she had learnt the importance of good quality products and excellent customer service. Not just in India but around the world, women are a vital part of society on a whole and the business world should reflect that, the successful woman tells S&A.

“To be self-sufficient and not have to rely on anyone for money gives a woman options in life as well as confidence.”

 

Background
I am from a very entrepreneurial family. My grandfather left Punjab for London in the 1960’s and started his own business in the back streets of East London. My father and his brothers are also incredibly enterprising and entrepreneurial and so, I guess, you can say it is in my blood. In 2007, I founded Urban Shore in Delhi, bringing the best of British products to India. We started with 23 brands, and have continued to add to them. I look for brands which have a unique difference which would be of interest and enhance the lives of my customers in India.

Beliefs
My husband shared with me the definition by a Howard professor for entrepreneurship as ’The relentless pursuit of opportunity without regard for the resources currently controlled’ and I thought it was a very eloquent and articulate definition. It really does sum up everything that I have seen in my father growing up and how I try and approach my business.

Mantra
A determined resolve, true dedication and an immense belief in what you are doing, and in your own ability.

Women entrepreneurship in India
Not just in India but around the world, women are a vital part of society on a whole and the business world should reflect that. Due to cultural barriers and challenges, women have to balance a home/family life with their own ambition and will to work. I know from my own personal experience that I completely underestimated how demanding my baby would be on my time. I naively thought I could continue as before and raise a baby on the side when in fact it is almost the other way around. I have to fit in time for my work and my self after the needs of my baby are met.
I also think it is a matter of independence and self worth for women. To be self-sufficient and not have to rely on anyone for money gives a woman options in life as well as confidence.

Keys to success
One cannot underestimate the importance of family support. If it wasn’t for first my father and now my husband, being as supportive as they have been, I think I would have found it considerably harder to do business. My mother always believed that I could do anything I put my mind to so to have that level of support creates an immense sense of self-belief which has been essential in getting me through the tougher times.

Challenges
With India being the second largest footwear manufacturer in the world, the biggest challenge I faced while launching FitFlops was the number of copies and counterfeits available in India. We have had to work hard as a brand to highlight the benefits of wearing the ‘real thing’ as our technology is what makes FitFlops unique. We have had to educate our retailers and work with them to educate the end consumer.

Experience
A willingness to listen and learn from those around us. Surround yourself with smart people and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Doubts
Doubts are a part and parcel of life in running a business. There have been times when a decision has kept me up at night but ultimately you have to believe that you have made the right choice.

Advice
Have the strength to say no and change your business model if it isn’t working. Looking back at my path, I wish I had been willing to listen to advice I was being given when something wasn’t working. I was too close to see it so I would say try and take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Ultimately, you want to have a successful business and it could be that the first road map you followed wasn’t the right one, that doesn’t mean you won’t create an amazing business, it just means it will be slightly (or very!) different from your original attempt.

For more women to be entrepreneurs
Education creates opportunities and the ability to think bigger. It can build a person’s confidence and show them opportunities beyond their immediate thinking. I also think funding is a huge barrier and so access to capital would make a huge difference.

Future
To continue to  grow the business and evolve with the changing trends. I am always looking for new brands to introduce into India and in fact I already have my sights on two incredible ones. One is a footwear brand and one is in cosmetics. Watch this space as I think they will both be very well received in India.

Rina Shah

Architect of Equestrian Fashion

Rina Shah has had an eclectic career. Born with an artistic and creative bend, a devoted Bharat Natyam and Khathak dancer, a national level swimmer and athlete, Rina got smitten by the idea of entrepreneurship while pursuing international business at Harvard Business School. After taking a two-year projectile at Fashion Institute of Technology, New York with an accessory design degree and shoe design as specialty, she returned to India to set up a shoe factory and is churning out world class equestrian fashion and equipment. Rina is also the designer of RINALDI Polo.

“I descended into equestrian shoe business as I know that no one else had ventured into it in India, and definitely I could offer great quality products.”

 

Background
In 1999, I pioneered customized shoes which were of top most quality and established the first of its kind, an award winning shoe retail store that presented the most desired collection. Subsequently, we expanded and now have four retail outlets in Mumbai and Delhi. Also in 2004, we opened a store in NYC. In 2012, we got into sports – Polo, which in no time besotted me and I decided to follow my passion. Polo prompted me to venture out into polo shoes and launch Rinaldi Polo, under which I hosted equestrian fashion and equipment for the horse lovers. Today, without any doubt, I can boldly state that we make the best polo boots in India, for that matter, in the world.

Motivation
I descended into equestrian shoe business as I know that no one else had ventured into it in India, and definitely I could offer great quality products.

Belief
A true businessperson has to have these traits 1) Business is your dream  2) Create opportunity to fill a need 3) Be a risk taker 4) Passion is your top priority, and 5) Don’t lose sight of the big picture

Keys to success

• Confidence-Plan ahead, prepare for contingencies, get diverse feedback, avoid the speed trap.
• Creative thinker-Balance present and future, use metrics, prioritise, use simple structure, learn from failures.
• Determination-Share your optimism, partner with creative types, focus on big picture, be alert to environment.
• Independent-Focus on main objective, form alliances, delegate, don’t let love for your product blind you.
• Knowledge-seeker-Write and share ideas, prioritise, get outside inputs, create a clear roadmap for changes.

 

Challenges
When I attempted to get into this vertical, guess I was the only women in the man’s world which was a mammoth decision, particularly being in India. Surprisingly, I got a few threats to exit the business….anyhow, it’s far behind me now.

Experience
I believe, for picking up speed in business, few skills are acquired, but unquestionably certain skills are in your skin. Books teach only to a limited level, thereafter it entirely rests within the individual and how one conducts oneself.

Greatest highlights
There were many. Our store being nominated and elected for the best retail store award in the country, the other was dressing up more than 3000 brides in my career and customizing shoes for celebrities and movies.

Doubts
Every business goes through high and low and one always wonders if it’s a good choice, and falling into a dilemma is a part of the process too. As you surpass that moment, you win more confidence and are ready to face more and bigger challenges.

Advice
Woman in business must find a niche, be a leader not a follower; be confident in whatever you decide and then follow your heart. Money is incidental which would follow eventually.

Future
I want to take Rinaldi Polo across the world and be revered as the NO. 1 polo boot maker. 

Rinku Madan

Gourmet Intellect

Rinku Madan recently completed her studies in Global Journalism from Harvard University. Her penchant for understanding food and other finer aspects of life commenced more than a decade ago. Her experience of writing feature articles about food, restaurants, cuisines, luxury properties, lifestyle products, etc, coupled with her interactions with the very “Elite” in India, provided her the push to enhance her skills and pursue “Luxury” as a focus area, not only as a writer but also a food stylist and consultant.

“Chasing multiple rabbits (opportunities), will breed dysfunction. Not having a crystal clear picture of where to focus your time and energy, will slow you to a snail’s pace. Define your business and your brand and commit to it – everything you do should be consistent to your business’ identity. You simply cannot be all things to all people.”

 

Background
It all began with just a dream and a lot of passion. Starting with being a chef at the Chambers (a members only club) at the Taj Mansingh, New Delhi and becoming a certified food writer at the FCI, in Manhattan, New York. What followed was working with CNN International News. Subsequently, I went to Havard to study Global Journalism at Harvard and launched www.damnfinelife.com.

Motivation
It was the intention to do something of consequence with my life, and, of course, being passionate about food only helped me getting a direction to follow my dreams.

True entrepreneurship
I would say that a true entrepreneur would be a person who could be a ‘high risk taker’. An Innovator, an inventor, like someone who envisions, creates and evangelizes an idea that is absolutely crazy. Someone who sees opportunities in everything they look at.

Required to start a business
Every great business starts with a drive and a passion. At that time my main passion was food, and that was and has been my focus for as long as I can remember. I wanted to have the flexibility to do what I loved and make a living that would set me up for the rest of my life. But I had no idea where to begin. As I put one foot in front of the other, I started seeing where my passion and skills intersected. I loved connecting with people through food and wine and adding value to their lives. I combined my passions, strengths, and vision to create the ideal journey for me along the way.

Key to success for women
There is no set of formula to achieve success. Apart from hard work, passion and focus, in my opinion, are the qualities. They move you to action, to go above and beyond what’s comfortable, the kind in which, you even surprise yourself.

Challenges
a) Networking – building networks or penetrating existing ones is a challenge. I, for one, am shy by nature and find it difficult to attend networking parties. b) It’s difficult for women to find investors as compared to men. Angel investors and venture capitalists (intentionally or unintentionally) favor men over women. c) Work life balance is very difficult to attain easily. While trying to manage multiple things at a time, it leaves me time.

Advice
I strongly suggest – 1) Never be afraid to ask other people for their help or advice. Never hesitate, always just ask for help. It’s so simple and it sounds so trite, but it’s true. 2) Don’t start a business just for the money. Plenty of entrepreneurs jump in the game solely for big bucks. If you’re in the game solely for the money, you will end up disappointed, as most seasoned entrepreneurs will tell you, money is usually the last thing to come. 3) My other piece of advice is to forge genuine connections with people inside and outside your industry. One relationship can make or break a year. Be truly interested in people and try to cast a wide net.

Encouragement
Just go ahead and start it. Sometimes, the more research you do upfront, as to how much work is involved and how much you need to learn, could easily put you off. It’s much easier to tackle new tasks, once you’ve already got things going. Chasing multiple rabbits (opportunities), will breed dysfunction. Not having a crystal clear picture of where to focus your time and energy, will slow you to a snail’s pace. Define your business and your brand and commit to it – everything you do should be consistent to your business’ identity. You simply cannot be all things to all people. And last , but very importantly, keep a healthy balance. Don’t get consumed with work to a level that’s not healthy – keep a balance so you’re still in touch with family and friends.

Mala Jasuja

Creator of Footwear Jewels

Mala Jasuja, with an eye for perfection and penchant for design, is a much-admired shoe manufacturer as well as an exporter who has been stirring women’s fashion with her embroidered footwear. Her experience in amalgamating the Indian and Western designs to create a contemporary line of footwear, fit to call “Jewels for the feet”, propelled her to enhance her talents and tail the top brands.

“If your heart is in it, no matter whether you have the technical skill or not, you will succeed. Always be eager to learn all the aspects of the trade as it gives you a good hold over the complete picture.”

 

Background
I started working in April 2000. My only connection with shoes was that of wearing great ones. Perhaps because of this passion, I have an eye for good shoes. Gradually, I started to help around with smaller details like selecting leathers and putting colors together. In June 2000, independently, I prepared a very small collection, comprising just 15 styles to exhibit at an Italian shoe fair, which was appreciated well. The applause gave me courage and confidence, since then I have been passionately involved in this business.

Motivation
I have always wanted to do things as perfectly as possible. As an entrepreneur, I wanted to organize things better around me and at the same time also inspire the others too, to do the same as it improves the vision to have a good life.

Beliefs
When your business becomes your extended family and your colleagues/staff work willfully to achieve new goals. For me this is true entrepreneurship because this shows that all the elements are in sync.

Importance for working women in India
Women are naturally endowed with multi-tasking skill, this was being used only to manage their households. But now we have enough examples to prove that women can be such an asset to any organization because of this ability. In other words, our country will have double the manpower if all women join in to work towards taking the country ahead on global map.

Keys to success
I do not believe in having a different set of rules for women to be successful. There should be no difference between and men and women, as far as entrepreneurship is concerned. Have a vision, set a goal, do some research, and then have confidence in your efforts with a liberal sprinkling of patience.

Challenges
The fact that fashion industry filled up with tricky choices.

Experience
When I started I had no professional training in this field, except the will to learn. But I was good in absorbing the information around me like a sponge.

Doubts
Maybe in earlier days when people were not used to seeing a woman working in a male-dominated industry, but now it’s not; as many of us, from different strata of society, have shown courage to work edge to edge with their male colleagues.

Advice
Nothing is possible if you are not passionate about it. If your heart is in it, no matter whether you have the technical skill or not, you will succeed. Always be eager to learn all the aspects of the trade as it gives you a good hold over the complete picture.

Words of encouragement
Sharing our experiences with the women audience surely should gives them encouragement to their heart and not be dithered during the journey.

Future
Want to concentrate on making more specific collection, targeting niche customers. The focus now is more on originality and quality than quantity.

Kanika Bhatia

Of Ideas and Patience

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that EGOSS is Ravindra Bhatia’s dream that had come true. He had done so with great limelight in the industry. At a different time, young blood with similar vision and vigour has helped the brand consolidate its positioning in the industry. The tricky part came with internalising the processes and we can’t stress more on just how mandatory that is, Kanika Bhatia, Director at EGOSS, told S&A.

“Women leaders and entrepreneurs can bring in more women in the workforce. Sheer numbers can lead to less gender disparity which is much needed in a country like India. History has shown that women leaders have been able to bring to forefront women issues to the forefront through their contribution in the business world.”

 

Background
It was a year-and-a -half back, we, sisters from our respective explorations in the world of public policy and digital start up marketing journey, decided on ‘homecoming’. We came back to Agra, our hometown and also the birthplace of EGOSS shoes. We wanted to venture in the world of business under the aegis of our father to tap into undiscovered territories for the brand and company he started two decades ago. We were some of the few female members of the gigantic Agra shoe community and the only within our own company.

Motivation
Working in a start up (read: war) zone, you’re amazed at how huge setups are created out of nothing but an average idea/product. I saw Egoss as a brilliant product capable of channeling its way through a lot more tributaries than it currently is.

Beliefs
Everyone has a different working formula we would say. For us, focused passion, adaptable creativity and persistent determination (irrespective of what field one is in). Entrepreneurship thrives on innovation.

Requirement to start a business from zero 
I would say nothing particularly different from what a male entrepreneur would require. This belief is the single most important entity for the cause of women entrepreneurship- must be treated like nothing different when being analyzed by investors, women themselves and everyone else. Work -life integration is as important for men as for women and if anything, scientific studies have successfully proven women being full-time mothers, wives and full-time professionals faring better than males who do the same.

Women entrepreneurship in India
Women leaders and entrepreneurs can bring in more women in the workforce. Sheer numbers can lead to less gender disparity which is much needed in a country like India. History has shown that women leaders have been able to bring to forefront women issues to the forefront through their contribution in the business world. Refer to companies like Menstrupedia (online guide for explaining unspoken periods’ issues) and Desi crew (startuop training rural women in data processing).

Challenges 
Lucky for us, incorporation and finance were pretty much at par when we joined Egoss. The tricky part came with internalising the processes and we can’t stress more on just how mandatory that is. The second challenge came with making, talking, walking and behaving like a brand. It’s a whole exercise essential for everyone in the process. The third challenge comes with your brain continuously asking ‘What next?’ At the same time, it is important to revisit your current scenario from time to time.

Skills beyond your professional experience
I don’t remember ever honing skills actively. My years with the start up grilled me on love for marketing and PR. Now if I see an idea, the first thought that comes with it is if it would be capable of generating PR. College taught me how there is more than just the balance sheet to be tallied when in business. My father skilled me on how it is extremely important to stay focused, even though I have the wandering eye.

Advice
There will be so many moments where you will feel you’re at the wrong place at a very right time in your career, but keep a mountain of patience. Do not expect things to churn at lightning speed, because very often they won’t. Don’t expect people to appreciate your opinion on a lot of matters, but hold on to it, because every opinion comes with a powerful logic with an active brain behind. It means you can think, so keep at it.

Words of encouragement to women entrepreneurs
Financial independence and the power to create is enough to drive you to the think tank everyday.

Future 
We see a lot of movement in the zone of intelligent marketing and luxury market. The smartest thing would be to combine the two.

Sonal Jindal

Incubator of Dreams

Medusa functions as the fertile ground on which creative fashion, jewellery and footwear designers get the right environment to flourish. It takes care of promotion of their talent, makes the world aware about their unique qualities and helps monetize creativity to let them focus on what they do best. It does so through exhibitions and shows at select venues, handling entire logistics and marketing. Each show, each event is marked by a unique theme and presence of leaders in respective segments, shares Sonal Jindal the promoter.

“We have tried to make each edition of Medusa bigger than the last one. Obviously, it takes a great amount of effort. But when you see that your effort has been greatly appreciated by everyone, it gives you motivation to work harder.”

 

Background
The journey so far has been absolutely wonderful. We have tried to make each edition of Medusa bigger than the last one. Obviously, it takes a great amount of effort. But when you see that your effort has been greatly appreciated by everyone, it gives you motivation to work harder.

Motivation
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. From my childhood, I have seen my father experimenting a lot in his business so I used to keep telling him that I wanted to start of my own business.

Beliefs
Entrepreneurship is the ability to recognize the bigger picture, find where there’s an opportunity to grow, design hypothesis is around these opportunities and continually test your assumption.

Requirement to start a business from zero
With an Idea of business plan, a will to make it, one can start with it.

Women entrepreneurship in India
Development of a country depends upon its people, so the working of Indian women is also very important which will lead our country to a whole another level on a global platform.

Keys to success
Courage to face anything, confidence, planning, tactful thinking and a long-term vision.

Extra skills beyond professional experience
We complement each other (Me and My Team) perfectly and that is what is needed.

Greatest highlights so far
We are growing day by day and event by event stronger and organised, that’s the greatest highlight.

Doubts
Yes, there always be challenges but one shouldn’t lose any hope, just stick to your work it will overcome all the hurdles.

Advice
The only advice I want to give to young women is ‘Life is what you make out of it and try to make the best out of it. Follow your dreams. Don’t be scared, your dreams lead to your destiny’.

Future
To accomplish Dreamer’s Dream which is larger than life itself  and make MEDUSA a global brand.

Shruti Kaul

Maker of Own Path

Shruti Kaul is no stranger to the parallel universe of footwear industry. She was born and eventually married into the family of footwear accessories manufacturer. She launched TRISHULI, a high-end women’s fashion footwear brand, at a time when putting a foot in this category was an uphill task. She shares her experience with S&A.

“It’s tough to start from scratch as everyone seems to play the devil’s advocate. There is more negativity coming your way than a positive approach. Apart from this, a woman is supposed to be wearing a lot many hats than just of a working lady.”

 

Background
Trishuli Creations was started out as a hobby and transformed into full fledged company now. We have seen a tremendous growth in ourselves along with a graph that has seen a lot of spikes in a very short span.

Motivation
I started this venture for the sheer love of shoes. Passion is the only belief I hold for any venture to go through.

True entrepreneurship
The one who demands, commands and makes her own path.

Requirement to start a business from zero
It’s tough to start from scratch as everyone seems to play the devil’s advocate. There is more negativity coming your way than a positive approach. Apart from this, a woman is supposed to be wearing a lot many hats than just of a working lady. She is expected to deliver in every scenario.

Women entrepreneur in India
Working women culture in India is still very minute as compared to other countries. Now with more and more women heading their way to work we see them holding top positions at reputed MNCs.

Keys to success
A lot of energy, strength, patience and the will to ignore is what you require for a successful run .

Challenges
As a fashion start-up, we faced a lot of challenges like unorganised market scenario, unethical customers and copying of our designs. But like I mentioned earlier, we shall keep creating and our loyal customers come back for the originality.

Greatest obstacle
For the domestic market, taxation is  a huge issue. It has been the most challenging to work our way through.

Doubts
Certainly, I guess everybody has their doubts.

Required set of skills 
Only the will, mental strength and passion, rest follows.

Advice
Let’s all play along. The more the merrier. All you need to do is take the plunge.

Words of encouragement
I know a lot of women who have ventured into shoes. It’s a growing space with amazing designers coming into perspective.

Future
Break the norms and do your own thing is our motto. So let’s see how the future shapes out for us.

Nidhi Sharma Chadha

Queen of Décor

From being a model, then being a Miss India and jetting across the world, Nidhi Sharma Chadha’s venture décor has been an exceptional one, given her background. It isn’t just the switch, but also the success she has endowed herself in an industry where the success stories are few. She shares her journey with S&A.

“I have always believed in giving nothing less than the best and that itself can create problems sometimes. For example, some of my clients have asked me to compromise a bit at times so that I can work within the budget that they have in mind.”

 

Background
I started modeling when I was in college just for fun, so I did some good campaigns for Pepsi, Airtel, Indian Airlines etc. I also worked with quite a few designers and walked the ramp for them. Very soon I was crowned Miss India in 1995. There after, I started flying with KLM airlines as an in-flight interpreter. In the few years that I had worked with them, I travelled the world and learnt a lot. When I married JC, he was already into the entertainment business. This way I would attend a lot of parties where JC was taking care of the artists, sound and lighting arrangements etc. I always felt that the décor and styling done at these parties could have been done in a much better way. I had so many ideas in my mind and I wanted to see them turn into reality. From here on I took baby steps and started doing décor for close friends and family, that’s how the ball started rolling.

Beliefs
To be truly successful in any field you should do what you love doing and give more than your 100% to it.
Requirement to start a business from scratch
Starting any business from scratch always requires a lot of hard work, will power and determination. Also as a woman, I felt I had to work much harder to be taken seriously.

Women entrepreneurship in India
I think a woman entrepreneur generates employment opportunities for others by initiating, establishing and running the enterprise and hence keeping pace with her personal, family and social life. Also, I personally believe that women are much better at multi-tasking as compared to men.

Keys to success
The biggest key is to always keep learning, be open to change and never think that you know it all.

Challenges
The biggest challenge that I faced when I started work is the same challenge that I face even today i.e. my work and my creative ideas being used by others.

Greatest obstacles so far
I have always believed in giving nothing less than the best and that itself can create problems sometimes. For example, some of my clients have asked me to compromise a bit at times so that I can work within the budget that they have in mind. This leads to creative differences and does not give me the freedom to achieve what I want.

Experience
Some people assume that it is an easy glamorous job, but in fact it is the opposite. It requires a lot of long hours, late nights and extensive travelling.

Greatest highlights
I recently did a destination wedding in Udaipur where we were handling 6 venues at the same time. It was a big challenge but the end result was spectacular.

Doubts
I feel when you love what you do, but there is no turning back or looking back. You give the best of what you have and nothing is a challenge anymore.

Skills a woman entrepreneur needs
Before one starts any new venture, it is very important to do a market research. As an entrepreneur, you need to have a business plan and keep yourself updated with the things happening in your industry.

Advice
Be prepared for long hours of hard work and only get into it if you have a creative mind. A strong family support goes a long way.

Future
After gaining enough experience over the years, I would like to expand my business much more on the international front.

Geetanjalee Bahl

Curator of Fast Fashion

Geetanjalee Bahl, founder of THE TAN BASE, a fast-fashion brand of leather footwear, offers women well-curated collections that are available at affordable prices. Growing up in a family of professionals, graduated from Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi and then an MBA from FIIB, Delhi she developed her idea for THE TAN BASE.

“Not only for women in India, but I think globally women face the same environment and challenges that they need to overcome to be a success professionally. Being fearless is the key. It opens so many avenues if you have no fear in your mind.”

 

Background
That women love shoes is a known fact, and I’ve always had a passion for footwear myself. As a part of the footwear fashion industry for the last two decades, my travels abroad have only reinforced the fact that there is an absence of good Indian quality and stylish footwear brands in our country. Prior to starting this venture, I was heading marketing for Crocs India that gave me useful insights into the footwear industry and retail. This has been coupled with more than a decade of marketing and PR experience handling various lifestyle brands. When one is working with lifestyle brands, one gets the required experience such as trend spotting, ideation, customer feedback, business model, research etc. All of this made me confident about launching The Tan Base for the Indian market.

Beliefs
There is a quote that I once read somewhere: Buckle up, and know that it’s going to be a tremendous amount of work, but embrace it.

To start business as a woman
Self-motivation, fearless, passion and, importantly, family support. Personal experience also says that some bit or more of knowledge about the product/service is always an advantage.

Key to success
Not only for women in India, but I think globally women face the same environment and challenges that they need to overcome to be a success professionally. Being fearless is the key. It opens so many avenues if you have no fear in your mind. You tend to try things differently and tread on the path unknown. This is the emotional aspect and from the other aspect that is more practical, one needs to have a clear understanding of where one wants to reach, have a plan to reach the goal that you have set for yourself and constantly keep monitoring your progress to know where have you reached and how far you have to go.

Challenges
The biggest challenges are pricing, designs (they have to be such that are difficult to copy), creating visibility for the brand in the ever-increasing cluttered market (both online and offline). For The Tan Base, it’s creating awareness about the benefits (comfort, fitting) and premium visual appeal to a leather footwear versus cheap synthetic material amongst women in India as it is still a very unknown concept.

Experience
There certainly have been challenging times. Guess, it’s always. But the key is to keep going. When in doubt, I refer to the following three messages that are always written on my working board: 1) Courage to begin 2) Patience to continue, and 3) Determination to step into the future.

Skills to run a business
Skills in the respective field that you intend to pursue are critical. One needs to have understanding of the product (both technical and design), financial skills such as knowledge and understanding of how the costing works, tax structure is very complicated in India, hence it’s imperative to know about how that works for your product. One should know how to minimize the costs in early days of business as there is always a budget constraint that you might need to overcome (if not done initially, then unforeseen expenses will surely show its ugly head later). And of course, the multi-tasking skill that most women can proudly say they have- it gives us an additional advantage over men.

Advice
I would advise to have a real time retail and technical experience (by taking up a job for few years to understand the nuances) about the product category before you venture into it as footwear is more technical than you think it is. Create a good professional network of people around you who can eventually help you in putting together your start up dream and make it a success as well. Every woman, I am sure, wants a work-family balance. It’s as important to be financially independent in today’s uncertain world as it is to have family support and loved ones around you. Entrepreneurship will give you this balance to lead a happier life.

Future
Continue creating visibility for the brand through right channels and partners as it’s only a year old brand. Will also target placement of products at more offline channels in addition to the online ones and focus on innovation to stand apart from the others in the field.

Reema Arora

The Grand Exhibitors

Reema Arora started with boutique concept exhibition to test the market and its audience. It was an instant hit and gave me lot of boost. Then she went for more and bigger ones. Today she is into large format lifestyle exhibition, where they guarantee good footfall and marketing. But there are players in the market who offer stalls at cheap prices with no marketing and footfall, at times, innocent exhibitors become prey to such people, Reema tells S&A.

“I just feel that family support is the most important thing for women in India; without it one can just dream but can’t afford to fulfil those dreams.”

 

Background
We started with boutique concept exhibition to test the market and its audience as I didn’t want my exhibitors to not have audience. I started with personal network at The Flying Saucer Cafe, Nehru place in 2013, our exhibition was small a fair with 10 fashion exhibitors. It was an instant hit and gave me lot of boost. Then we organised at SKOOTER, Hotel Samrat later in the same year. After consecutive three hits, we organised Monsoon Gala Fashion showcase at Vasant Continental in 2014 and Winter gala fashion showcase later which turned out to be huge fashion and shopping paradise.  We try to do Different things all the time, and definitely we have evolved over time.

Motivated
I draw my inspiration from everywhere. Inspiration comes from people, from places, from clothes, from what people are wearing. I look at something and plan things with positivity in my mind that this definitely can be done and achieved and I go for it.

Beliefs
Just have faith in yourself.

Women entrepreneurship in India
It is really important. I just feel you grow as a stronger person if you work for your own. One should always have their own identity. It makes you a better person inside and outside.

Keys to success
I just feel that family support is the most important thing for women in India; without it one can just dream but can’t afford to fulfil those dreams.

Challenges
There is challenge at every step these days. Ours is a large format lifestyle exhibition, where we guarantee good footfall and marketing at X amount of stall charges, but there are players in the market who offer stalls at cheap prices with no marketing and footfall, At times, innocent exhibitors become prey to such people. Our biggest challenge is to make sure that our exhibitors are promoted well and we get good footfall.

Greatest obstacle so far
There is no obstacle as such. I am sure about my product, and we put a lot of efforts to promote it.

Greatest highlights
I started with a boutique concept exhibition in restaurant. Today, I do my exhibition in 5-star hotels with around 60 known exhibitors; the growth of everything is my biggest highlight.

Advice
You have to really work hard, it seems to be a glamorous field but you have to be interested in what you do to keep you growing in your business or job. Everything is related to one’s growing interest and loving your profession which will motivate to achieve your desired goals.

Words of encouragement
I strongly believe that it’s about women’s ability to exercise full control over their actions. Swami Vivekanand said: “That nation which doesn’t respect women will never become great now nor will it in the future.” So women should be allowed to study and work in the areas of their choices and fulfil their dreams.

Future
I am planning to organise a larger version of fashion exhibitions outside Delhi and abroad this year.

Sunaina Harjai

Furthering the Art of Shoemaking

Born and brought up in a family of shoemakers, where the dinner conversations were always about shoes, Sunaina made herself a go-getter professional. A graduate from Pearl Academy, Delhi and London College of Fashion, she interned with Formula One and Salvatore Ferragamo. She shares with S&A her experience in making Hats Off Accessories a formidable brand.

“For a start-up in fashion industry there are many challenges, such as various types of taxation, managing the finances, getting trademark approved which takes almost a year. I personally faced challenges in protecting the brand patent and designs.”

 

Background
Working at Siddharth Exports shoe factory instilled my vision to launch my maiden venture, Hats Off Accessories, with a vision to offer premium products by cutting out the middleman and reaching the customer directly. The brand is symbolic of affordable luxury and is made for the masses. Hats Off Accessories make leather brogues inspired by British heritage, but with inspiration from India.

Motivation
While studying in the UK I comprehended to create my own vertically integrated shoe brand, a good quality leather footwear at affordable prices. The ultimate inspiration has been to highlight the legacy of shoemaking, my father’s three decades in shoe making. To outshine the male-dominant sector with my entrepreneur skills has been the biggest motivator.

Beliefs
It’s about doing what one can, with what one has in hand. It’s believingin the product, that does not need a seven digit marketing budget, plunging in a very strategic way. It’s self-driven, and it’s for people who are passionate about what they do.

Requirement to start a business from zero
I think it requires exposure and experience in the field of work. I want to highlight the craftsmanship, the factories, the rawness of the leather, and the art of shoemaking. As an entrepreneur, if one’s not getting what one needs, then go knocking on the opportunity door instead the other way round.

Women entrepreneurship in India
In this digital world, times are changing, and it’s important for every woman to be independent, and take entrepreneurship to a level. I’m so glad there are portals like Images Retail, ShethePeople, HerStory that highlight victories of women entrepreneurs and inspire many other women out there.

Keys to success
I think there is no key to success, except dedication, hard work, and discipline.

Challenges
For a start-up in fashion industry there are many challenges, such as various types of taxation, managing the finances, getting trademark approved which takes almost a year. I personally faced challenges in protecting the brand patent and designs. Being a start-up, we invest a lot of our money in research and development of our designs.

Greatest highlights so far
Actors like Sidharth Malhotra and Sooraj Pancholi have worn our brogues. Our brand was also among the 20 designers under the age of 35 at the Alliance de Francaise, Delhi.

Skills to start from scratch
Think like a boss, before acting like a lady. Keep focus only on the agenda, be shrewd enough to run a business successfully and say “no” when needed. Be a multi-tasker.

Advice
Don’t do it, because everyone is doing it’. It should be about your dream, and what your aspiration.For start-ups, do an extensive research on uniqueness of the product & price points.

Future
We will be working to make our new collections available at major portals like amazon, flipkart and also grow internationally on the e-commerce platform.

Mona Puniani

Setting Trends with Drapes

Mona Puniani always wanted to get into the fashion industry. She feels it incredible to be recognised as a trend-setter. But she never dreamt that someday she would have come this far in just a short span. Today, her designs are available at global level in Canada, Malaysia and Dubai. I am living my fashion dream right now and have started my own brand ‘Drapes by Mona Puniani’, Mona tells S&A.

“Success for me is happiness; till the time you are happy you are the most successful person. For me, I am very successful in making my clients happy with the apt outfit.”

 

Background
My journey started 10 years back. I always wanted to get into the fashion industry . It’s an incredible feeling to be recognised as a trend-setter and I never dreamt that I would have come this far in just a short span. I consider myself lucky to have achieved a coveted position. I am living my fashion dream right now and have started my own brand ‘Drapes by Mona Puniani’. Today my designs are available at global level in Canada, Malaysia and Dubai. I am excited to think that people across the globe are wearing my designs, but it’s just the beginning.

Motivation
My family and my friends are my biggest motivating factor. But it was my father who always had confidence in me and believed that I could reach the sky. I believe am living and fulfilling his dreams. He was the one who recognised my inner talent and showed me the right path.

True entrepreneurship
A true entrepreneur is a combination many factors. To be one, you have to be passionate, convinced and lunatic, to mention some.

Women entrepreneurship in India
In today’s business environment, patience is the key and women seem to be more patient. Their decisions are well-thought, well-analysed and well-judged. Business environment today is more challenging and requires a lot more. Woman entrepreneurship in India is an emerging concept and very crucial for economic growth. The gender gap between men and women has narrowed.

Keys to success
To succeed in business, women need to be flexible and have good planning and organisational skills. ‘Stay focused ‘ and ‘ be consistent ‘ should be a woman’s mantra.

Challenges
Biggest challenge I am facing in the fashion industry is competition on price and awareness and a flooded market where it is difficult to innovate.

Greatest obstacle so far
Success for me is happiness; till the time you are happy you are the most successful person. For me, I am very successful in making my clients happy with the apt outfit.

Skills to start from scratch
Some skills which I think are important are – Planning, as it can make or break your business; Communication, being friendly in a business-to- business relationship is a sure way to make a step ahead; Customer focus, which means you will see every client as an opportunity to do better and grow; and Curiosity, will allow you to utilise new technology to the best of your ability to streamline your venture.

Advice
Fashion can be a really stressful choice, even though it is seen as glamorous. The only advice would be to show your skills and have confidence in yourself. If you feel, you have it in you, you can do wonders.

Future
My future plan is to be an inspiration and a trend-setter for my followers and thus to be recognised as the most successful woman in fashion industry.

Veta Ratra

Shaping Brands With Passion

Veta Ratra started working as soon as she had passed out of college without even giving a day to herself. When she started working in a PR firm, little did she know about the hard work that goes into a brand; for her, it was all about meeting people and selling ideas. That was then. Today, she designs PR services to meet the requirements of clients with the best innovative services, and the portfolio of her clients comprises of fashion designers, artists, fashion exhibitions, to highlight a few.

“There has been no obstacle as such. My vision has always been very clear- To work for the benefit of my clients. I have been honest in giving them advices. My honestly and my dedication have helped me reach where I am today.”

 

Background
My Journey has been jouney full of challenges. I started working as soon as I passed out of college without even giving a day to myself. I started my journey as an intern in a reputed PR firm and gave 3 years to that company before I stepped out to chase my own dreams. When I started working in the PR firm, little did I know about the hard work that goes into a brand; for me, it was all about meeting people and selling your ideas. But when I joined I realised it is all about executing ideas. It’s a difficult job of making sure that your brand gets best visibility.

Motivation
I have always been passionate about achieving my goals. The support from my parents, my in-laws and my husband motivated me to start my own journey and my own venture.

True entrepreneurship
It is said that the path between dream to success does exist, the need is vision to find it, courage to get and preservance to follow it. A true entrepreneur is about being able to follow your dreams and do efforts to fulfill them. Dreams don’t work unless you do. A true entrepreneurship is the combinations of factors like passion, vision, dedication and action.

Women entrepreneurship in India
Entrepreneurship and working woman are both really important factors for India as a whole. Modern women are inclined towards the social issues and trying hard to improve the social status of women at large. Increased awareness and education have inspired women to come out of the four walls of the home. Many women secured eminent positions and offices in administration and public life in free India. Traditionally, Indian women exist because of the family and for the family. The modern woman has started caring for her health, figure, cultural needs and interests, academic pursuits, social intercourse, religious activities recreational needs, etc. Women are blessed with traits of adaptability, tolerance, never-say-never attitude, and they are born go-getters. They are multi-taskers and have the ability to handle family, professional and social networks at one time. Their success helps society to grow as a whole, thus contributing to the nation.

Keys to success
Enthusiasm, attitude, tolerance, patience, assertiveness and ability to face criticism are the keys for professional and business success.

Challenge
There has been no obstacle as such. My vision has always been very clear- To work for the benefit of my clients. I have been honest in giving them advices. My honesty and my dedication have helped me reach where I am today. There is lot to achieve, though.

Greatest highlights so far
It’s competitive world with lot of top agencies. In such scenario, I have carved a niche for myself and people know me for the work I do. I could not ask for more.

Doubt
Every day is a new challenge of making sure that your clients are visible and being marketed well. I never had any doubt about my business model. In fact, challenges make you work better, even in toughest situations.

Advice
Follow your dreams, work for yourself instead of showing it to your peers and dears. There are no short cuts to achieve success.

Encouragement to women entrepreneurs
Self-realisation, being independent and faith in inner self. Women need to understand their potential and I am sure there will be no stopping.

Future
I am content with my achievements, but then future always demands more. I think I will soon be setting up a brand consultancy firm.

Nikita khattar

Self-reliant Changemaker

Living abroad for years added an immense work experience to Nikita Khattar’s life and made her a different person altogether. Things changed drastically when she returned to India in 2012. I have learnt to value human beings, time and money. My motivation and passion to learn, experiment and achieve have always encouraged me to look forward, she informs S&A.

“The challenge is taking the long-term vision and working backward to map out your trajectory starting with today, and breaking down steps for initial short-term growth.”

 

Background
I pursued my undergraduate degree in Law, thereafter an MBA in London. Living abroad for nine years added an immense work experience to my profile and made me a different person all together. My expertise, talent and mingling around with multi-cultural people helped me win the elections for Middlesex University Students’ Union twice for the post of Vice-President Academic Officer. Thereafter, I acquired an opportunity to work with an immigration law firm in the UK.
My visit to India in Oct 2012 changed my life altogether, I decided to open a TIKI BAR, Hawaiian Themed Restro-Bar in Delhi, at the age of 26. The journey doesn’t end here, as I started my own event management company, THE FAIRYTALE’Ss, with specialisation in concept-based corporate and club events, wedding planning and exhibitions. With over 2 years of experience, we have held our exhibitions successfully in Delhi and Dubai and showcased over 500 designers like Soltee by Sulakshana Monga, Anu Kaushik (Bollywood Celebrity MUA), Reve Luxury by Khushali Kumar, Satya Paul, Mahamaya Jewellers and many more.

Motivation
I have learnt to value human beings, time and money. My motivation and passion to learn, experiment and achieve have always encouraged me to look forward.

Beliefs
A true entrepreneur is one who has combination of factors like passion, conviction, lunacy (let’s face it) and need to make a name for yourself.

Requirement to start from zero
To start a business from zero as a woman entrepreneur requires a vision, support from family (morally), experience, dreams and passion along with the expertise of adept minds in the business.

Importance of entrepreneurship in India
The need to improve the status of women and the promotion of women’s roles in development are no longer seen merely as issues of human rights or social justice. It is merely an investment to achieve sustainable development.
Women entrepreneurs, when successful, act as a changemaker in their families and society and inspire others to become self-reliant and take up entrepreneurship. Their success helps families, society, and local and regional economies by contributing to the growth of the nation.

Keys to success
Assertiveness, aggressiveness, empathy, ego strength, energy and stress tolerance.

Challenges
The challenge is taking the long-term vision and working backward to map out your trajectory starting with today, and breaking down steps for initial short-term growth. We’re almost two years in and have now seen a lot of our early ideas come to fruition. We are still constantly brainstorming, but we’re much more skilled at capturing ideas for a future state, and continuing to stay focused on the short-term execution to make them happen.

Greatest obstacle
There has been no obstacle as our vision is clear, however, budgets, sometimes, hold us back.

Experience
Luckily, my partner is involved in the business with me. We complement each other perfectly, which is the key strength of our business. He handles all where I lack and vice-versa. My father helps me out for various account and taxation related work.

Greatest highlights
We make shopping fun for our clients by adding themes and concepts to our event. Adding decor, photo booths, entertainment, activities, contests and fun elements keeps our clients involved. We provide free beauty makeovers, nail art, tattoos, gifts to people visiting the exhibition. Women feel happy when they get free services from dieticians, spa vouchers, travel and tours packages, hospitality vouchers, etc. Moreover, we provide activities for kids, which help woman to shop for longer hours.We started very small but with strong motivation, over two years we have grown tremendously and also been able to go internationally.

Doubts
There have been difficult times but I strive not to be successful; but rather to be of value to my work.

Advice
Don’t allow emotions to get in the way, don’t take things personally, keep a positive attitude, remain fearless and respond decisively.

Future
With over 2 years experience in Exhibitions in Delhi and Dubai, the company is now expanding with its international projects in Bangkok and London soon.