How did you come to be an women entrepreneur?
I worked in the corporate sector for almost 23 years before I decided to be an entrepreneur. There was a point when I had to change cities and start afresh professionally. I have always believed in upskilling and learning new things which led me to Goldman Sachs 10K Women Programme with ISB Hyderabad. There, I realised that I have a natural knack for networking. That planted the seed of entrepreneurship in my journey and I launched Women Who Win in 2014. It is a foundation that aims to empower women entrepreneurs.
How is it different from other companies?
We believe in amplifying the power of sisterhood. Not only are we creating a community for women to grow personally and professionally but also providing opportunities for them to scale their business, create their own identity and support each other along the way.
Throw some light on your business and its offerings.
Women Who Win is a social enterprise that aims to connect, nurture and empower women entrepreneurs through events, campaigns, collaborations, mentorship, etc. We currently have 5 chapters with more than 20,000 members from India and Singapore. Our offerings include but are not limited to:
- WWW Marketplace (an e-commerce site for women entrepreneurs to sell their products)
- Networking Meets
- Events and exhibitions
- Aapki Kahani with Nimbu Pani (Chat Show on YouTube)
- Corporate Tie-ups and Engagements
- CSR Projects
- Mentorship Programmes
Have you faced any unusual situations doing business in India as a female entrepreneur?
In my journey, I have faced challenges while entering into negotiations and collaborations. I have realised that the other party tries to extract as much benefit as possible, presuming that they are dealing with an inexperienced female and may be underestimating us.
How do you achieve work-life balance?
I ensure that I take regular breaks after hectic work schedules. I love to travel and meet new people. I believe that I am a people’s person and interacting with these enterprising women gives me positive energy.
Did you have a mentor to guide you through your professional journey?
Yes, I have a mentor – Ms. Archana Karfa. She is a coach who mentors and guides corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. Whenever I get into difficult situations and don’t know what to do I reach out to her and she has been my great strength.
How are entrepreneurship and working women important for India?
Entrepreneurship plays an important role in the development of the country. Through my work, I have met so many wonderful women who are generating employment, helping underprivileged women with skill development and contributing to the economy. They are also inspiring others to gain financial independence.
Define a perfect business leader. What are the qualities you think a great leader possess?
Attitude matter the most in leadership, and in any professional situation in general. If you have the right attitude towards your work and the people you work with, it becomes easier to navigate the challenges of being a leader.
A brief description of the major awards won by your company.
On behalf of Women Who Win, I have won several awards like
- Women Achievers Award 2015 by Young Environmentalist Association
- Women Achievers Award 2016 by B’Youtiful Magazine
- Kaushal Bharat Award 2017
- Women of the Future Award 2018.
- Women Achievers Award 2021
But honestly, what makes me the happiest is the appreciation I get from women entrepreneurs who have benefitted from our initiatives.
What advice would you give to other businesswomen who want to thrive in a male-dominated industry?
Just be yourself. Fearlessly go ahead with confidence.
Are you a decision maker & risk taker?
Yes, I think that comes with being an entrepreneur.
Describe the most memorable incident of your professional life.
One of the most memorable moments of my professional life was when my husband came to support my event. He was the only man present in the hall full of women entrepreneurs. He was there to welcome and see off everyone.
One word that describe you the best…
Contented and non-judgmental
If you had one piece of advice to rising entrepreneurs just starting out, what would it be?
I would like to advise all the women entrepreneurs to remember 3 Cs in their entrepreneurial journey. The 3 Cs are: Be Courageous, Committed and Consistent.
How would you like people to remember you and your company?
I want Women Who Win to be remembered as a community of Sisterhood, where each member is empowering the other member, and encouraging and contributing in each other’s success with the mission of growing together.
