The history of women dictates that women had to face many challenges and were oppressed in communities. With time and development, many women decided to break the stereotypes set on gender and set an example for the next generations.
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens”
– MICHELLE OBAMA.
To acknowledge the achievements of women in the social, political, economic and cultural spheres, we celebrate International Women’s Day every year on 8th March. It is also celebrated to raise awareness about gender equality. This Women’s Day, we would like to honor the women who are striving and hustling every day in the world of business and entrepreneurship in India. In this article, we would like to feature some women working in different sectors and share their stories to aspire young entrepreneurs.
4th Wheel Social Impact
Co-founders: Payal Mulchandani and Sharon Weir
About the Company:
4th Wheel is an organization that strategizes to achieve social well-being. It was ideated by the co-founders when the founding duo completed their higher education and was figuring out the next step in their careers. Since both of them had prior experience working in the social development space, they decide to start a CSR advocacy firm.
In 2010, they realized that CSR was limited to family foundations and religious funding. So, with a view to streamline this space and create long-term impact plans, 4th Wheel Social Impact was born. The company now works with several organizations and corporate giants in the social development ecosystem. It is not looking to raise funds and the co-founders feel that not getting stuck in admin work, has helped them to find and do what they love.
What challenges did you face as a woman entrepreneur?
The co-founders are thankful that they work in a space that has a good gender balance and features many female heads. But, that doesn’t mean they didn’t face any challenges.
They founded the company at the age of 23 as a result of which it took time for them to gain experience and network their way to the right connections. The co-founders appreciate the fact that they received support at the beginning to get things going but they didn’t have any experience in raising funds and bootstrapped their way to success.
What message would you like to give to Entrepreneurs that are starting their journey?
“Everyone needs to find their niche,” said Payal Mulchandani. She added, “My message is to keep learning and upgrading new skills and finding where your skillset lies. Learning on the job is the best way to hone your skills. You can also constantly learn from being a part of a community in your sector.”
“My message is to keep learning and upgrading new skills and finding where your skillset lies. Learning on the job is the best way to hone your skills. You can also constantly learn from being a part of a community in your sector.”
-Payal Mulchandani, Co-Founder of 4th Wheel Social Impact
Nuskha Kitchen
Co-founders: Alpana Tiwari and Viral Tiwari
About the company:
Nuskha Kitchen is an ayurvedic herbal care brand that aims to provide natural solutions for post-natal care. After delivery, some mothers have to face multiple problems and to help them recover and heal the company provides a 50-day post-delivery course that helps them with the same. Their products include Ajwain Ladoo, Massage oil, Gond Ladoo, etc. which are customized for each individual based on several physical factors like weight, body structure, and external factors like the season.
Along with natural ingredients and zero preservatives these food items are also tasty. The company has reached out to more than 4000 customers and has a very efficient 24*7 customer care service available.
Coral Warriors
Founder: Vidhi Bubna
About the Company: Coral Warriors was founded in September 2021 after the founder saw that people in India don’t get the opportunity to learn diving. She is a master scuba diver, completing her course from the Maldives and since its founding, she takes care of the fact that more people, especially women get the opportunity to go diving. Coral Warriors is a registered non-profit company.
What challenges did you face as a woman entrepreneur?
While talking about the challenges that she has faced, the founder mentions facing sexism in the workplace where she is supposed to lead the pack but often faces that there is a reversal in this role. She noticed that following instructions from a woman are not something everyone likes.
At several places, people have also doubted her capabilities and had to answer questions that men are not asked. She feels that this should be changed and men, women and other genders should be offered equality in the workplace. “I think Women’s Day is a very special day as it gives people a chance to reflect on these situations in their life and workplace,” said Vidhi Bubna.
What message would you like to give to entrepreneurs that are starting their journey?
“Put your heart and soul into whatever you do because, at the end of the day, you do not get a lot of opportunities. When you get an opportunity in life, try to make the most out of it.” She also shared, “You should treat everyone equally because sexism is real and it can really bring people down; as an entrepreneur, you can get the best of your team only if you treat people equally.”
“You should treat everyone equally because sexism is real and it can really bring people down; as an entrepreneur, you can get the best of your team only if you treat people equally.”
-Vidhi Bubna, Founder of Coral Warriors
The Quirky Naari
Founder: Malvica .S
About the company: Founded in 2018, the company belongs to the fashion and lifestyle sector and sells footwear and accessories for women and children that have a funky and quirky look. The products range from hand-painted jackets to customized bridal sneakers. The brand aspires to make shoes and products that will surely grab everyone’s attention. Also, it aims to keep the world fashion updated and in style.
The Quirky Naari pairs creativity with a data-driven approach which enables them to customize their products according to their customers’ expectations. They were featured on Shark Tank India Season 1 and received a deal of Rs. 35 Lakhs for 24% equity from Sharks Vineeta Singh and Aman Gupta. Their sneakers also got a feature by Priyanka Chopra.
Eve World
Co-founders: Aparna Acharekar, Rajneel Kumar and Tarun Katial
About the company: Eve World is a women’s only platform and has been created based on the idea that women from across the globe can connect, create, express and share a safe space. Women will get a chance to meet link-minded women and using monetizing features available on the platform, they can build their own community.
For example, if you are mental health expert looking to conduct a session or webinar on Eve World, the platform will provide the necessary tools for you to create it. The aim is to create an exclusive platform for women from a variety of domains that have an impact on women’s life.
What challenges did you face as a woman in the professional world?
The basic challenge that women face in the entrepreneurial and corporate world is the way they present themselves. They will be primarily judged for their appearance or the way they talk; whether she is younger or older than expected. Before any other aspects come into the picture, the external factors are evaluated first. This is a bias that women have grown up with and live with it in their day-to-day lives.
What message would you like to give to entrepreneurs that are starting their journey?
“Chase your dreams, believe in it and go for it,” said Vanshika Sharma, Creative Owner of Eve World. “There is nothing in this world that can stop you from achieving what you wish for except yourself,” she further added.
“There is nothing in this world that can stop you from achieving what you wish for except yourself”
– Vanshika Sharma, Creative Owner at Eve World.
Reaching and Enabling You Pvt. Ltd.
Co-Founder: Ritika Verma and Sushma Verma
About the Company: Reaching and Enabling You (REY) is a mobile application that helps parents in creating a pre-defined special parenting journey. It was founded in 2020 with the realization that the availability of social and medical infrastructure to support people with special needs in India is limited. The therapists and specialists are confined to bigger cities and REY is continuously updating to support the development of children.
What challenges did you face as a woman entrepreneur?
As a mother of a toddler who also has special needs, the major challenge she faces is balancing the mother and co-founder role. Manging and developing a product along with parenting is quite a curve.
What message would you like to give to entrepreneurs that are starting their journey?
Mrs. Ritika Verma said, “I believe that it is important to come up with an idea or product that solves a real-life problem or a society’s challenge. When you work towards making a better world, no matter how small, it drives you to do better and achieve success.”
“I believe that it is important to come up with an idea or product that solves a real-life problem or a society’s challenge. When you work towards making a better world, no matter how small, it drives you to do better and achieve success.”
-Ritika Verma, Co-Founder of REY
Sportyze
Co-Founders: Richa Mamgain, Ankur Chaudhary and Anubhuti Singh
About the Company: Sportyze was founded with a view to empower children by creating a fun and unique fitness regime. Working in the kids’ fitness and lifestyle space, the company has catered to more than 700 children in 4 centers and is planning to go pan India soon. The co-founders believe that children can grow in a well-rounded environment if they get a chance to explore their creative and fun side and that is exactly what Sportyze is trying to provide. They also provide an experience that will help kids tackle the challenges they face tomorrow.
What challenges did you face as a woman entrepreneur?
The co-founder shared that operating during the COVID times was challenging for the company. With a lack of proper forums and knowledge-sharing experiences, it was difficult to network and grow. On the brighter side, Richa Mamgain, one of the co-founders is looking forward to making new connections and boosting the company’s growth with things coming back to normal.
What message would you like to give to entrepreneurs that are starting their journey?
Keeping it short and sweet, Richa Mamgain shared, “Trust yourself, you are tougher than the problems you face! Keep going!”
“Trust yourself, you are tougher than the problems you face! Keep going!”
-Richa Mamgain, Co-Founder of Sportyze.
Women’s Day is a reminder for everyone to keep working and in spite of the challenges that they face, they can achieve anything if they set their mind to it. Let us recognize the efforts these women are taking to make the world a better place. With the presence of such strong-headed women in the world of business, all of us will reach new heights of success.
