Balancing work and home has never been easy for women, and when they enter motherhood, things suddenly take a new, dizzy turn. The world is turned upside down, and life becomes overwhelming and makes it increasingly difficult for them to find their way back to themselves.
For women who are mothers, starting a new venture is, in some ways, like raising a second child. And when it comes to managing the two most precious things in their lives, they stop at nothing. Even in a competitive landscape and a market that changes every day, there are women who are not only amazing moms but are renowned names in entrepreneurial circles.
Here are some brilliant mompreneurs and their inspiring journeys:
Ghazal Alagh, Co-founder, MamaEarth
MamaEarth is a fairly popular name in the Indian market and is positioned as a skin care brand that uses 100% natural ingredients in its base formula. Ghazal Alagh, its co-founder, started this venture after giving birth to a beautiful baby boy. After scrounging the market to find the right product for her baby's delicate skin, she had to come to terms with the fact that there is a dearth of toxin-free baby products in the market.
Ghazal, along with her husband Varun, launched MamaEarth as a brand under their parent company in 2016, using plant-based ingredients. Within the first few years of its launch, the company went on to become Asia’s first brand to get the MadeSafe certification. As the Chief Mom at MamaEarth, Ghazal says, “We are a company by the moms, for the moms, and through the moms.”
Rupali Ambegaonkar, CEO and co-founder, Tea Culture of the World
After leaving her job as a medical professional to become a full-time homemaker and a wonderful mother to her daughter, Rupali found her calling when she tried a Chinese tea gifted to her by her close friend.
Instantly mesmerised by the aroma and luxury that a simple cup had to offer, she was hooked onto tea and researched about various flavours available in the Indian market. To her surprise, she found that even though India is one among the highest consumers of tea, the market did not have many choices of flavours. In the subsequent years, she completed her tea sommelier certification course from Tea Association of Canada and conceptualised her very own brand in the year 2010.
Talking a bit about her venture, Rupali says, “My teas are a personal invitation. Each one, an experience that will linger.”
Rohini Anand Khira, Founder and design director, AA Living
Founder and creative director of one of Mumbai’s most popular lifestyle boutiques, AA Living, Rohini Anand Khira shuffles between her business and her two lovely daughters with absolute proficiency.
An Instagram blogger and a fitness enthusiast, Rohini started her company in 1998 with the aim to create and sell what she would personally love to own. The brand continues to deliver excellence in the field of luxury lifestyle and home décor with a clientele that includes some of the most well-known names in the country. Rohini’s clarity of thought, her exceptional skills, and foresight transformed the brand into a statement and won her many awards and acclamations, including the Elite Magazine “Woman of the Year 2019” award. She was also entitled one of the 35 most respected and influential women achievers and entrepreneurs.
Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, Jobs for Her
Mother of two, Neha Bagaria was handling finance and marketing for her husband’s family business when she decided to stay home for her kids. A six-month-long sabbatical turned into a three-year-long break before she re-joined the family business.
Remembering what drove this decision, Neha says, “When my kids were six months and three-and-a-half-years-old, I couldn't recognise who I was. If I had to be a happy mother, I had to be a happy person and for that, work was important.” And so, she went on to create Jobs for Her, India’s leading job portal for women, as other women who wished to get back to work after a long break, didn’t share her privilege.
Chinu Kala, Founder, Ruben Accessories
With Rs 300 in her pocket and a head full of dreams, Chinu was 15-years-old when she entered the harsh and competitive markets of India to create a name for herself. She achieved her dream in 2014 when she established Ruben Accessories after many years of toil and perseverance.
Mother of a beautiful daughter, Chinu’s story is an inspiration to many. She started her journey as a door-to-door sales girl and is now the founder of a leading jewellery brand. Her passion, dedication, and undying spirit is laudable and a motivation for all the women who are setting off into the world with their dreams.
Looking back in time, Chinu recollects, “With every door that was shut on my face and every rejection I faced I became almost shock-proof and immensely strong.”
(Edited by Varsha Roysam)
