Women Who Inspire - Journey of 6 incredible brands led by women entrepreneurs
‘This is a man’s world but it wouldn’t be anything, nothing without a woman or a girl’, sang James Brown’s caveat. Needless to say, women are fierce and independent, bold and undaunted. Women never failed to capture the spirit of progress ushering a brave new world. From our grandmas to moms to sisters to female teachers to girlfriends, the women in our lives have always fueled our zest to do something while striving for excellence. They know what makes each of their family members happy, they know the perfect blend of spices to cook that oh-so-yummy dish, they make huge projects happen at their workplaces and they always know what is where in the house, always! Every woman breaks the glass ceiling of fears everyday in some way. Their strength and enthusiasm is infectious and influential.
Thanks to the advent of social media for which we often come across such inspirational stories of women who run a small business from scratch. We, being a women-led venture ourselves, know how tough times can be during one’s entrepreneurial voyage. At the same time, it’s equally rewarding, undoubtedly.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we, at Amrapali, spoke to a few women entrepreneurs across various businesses, to find out about their brand journey, how they overcame the unprecedented struggles, and what they wish to advise all small business enthusiasts out there.
Click to read about each of their stories:
Amrutam
Adah by Leesha
Heydey
Hutke
The Blue Sheep Tirthan
Earthaments
Stuti, Amrutam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrutamofficial/
Website: https://www.amrutam.co.in/
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
Amrutam Pharmaceuticals is a herbal product manufacturing company and was established in 2006 by my parents, Mr. Ashok Gupta and Mrs. Chandrakanta Gupta.
We reinvented ourselves as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle brand in 2017, bringing it online to build a strong connection with our community. We are a wellness brand that strongly believes and endorses the idea of “Health is Beauty.”
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that really made you go for it? Tell us your story.
I was 17 years old when I started working for an NGO, Gramiksha, that works to uplift quality of education in government school, as it was a completely volunteer-based youth run organisation, it had a huge impact on my personality. I became the national head of Gramiksha when I was merely 20, with over 500 young volunteers working under me. That’s when I first came face to face with the potential and strengths.
While I was studying in Christ University, Bangalore, it opened up so many possibilities of growth, learning and I started to notice how I loved being the leader. When I went to TISS, for my masters in clinical psychology, we used to work in clinics based in remote villages of Kerala, as junior psychologists, having worked at a community run mental health not-for-profit organisation, I knew I had to do something that involved building communities, and engaging with them.
I traveled quite a lot during my two years in Kerala, from top north to down south of India, and took about 41 trips in this span alone. My original plan was to go for my further studies to University of Edinburgh, Scotland, so I applied, I got through and I was awarded a scholarship too. However, things don’t always work out the way you think, and due to some personal circumstances at home, I had to drop the acceptance offer along with scholarship. It broke my heart, but I was certain that 9 to 5 jobs are not for me.
Growing up in a business family, I never really saw anyone doing a job under someone, and I knew I couldn’t survive a day at a place where I’m not my own boss. I’m willing to work all days in the week for more than 12 hours a day if the need be, but I cannot take or follow an instruction. Even as a kid, I used to have a hard time following the teacher in a class for the smallest instruction. My mind cannot process someone else’s plan. It’s just something that I’m working on, as I know better now.
In 2016 when I couldn’t go for my dream university, I decided to start a therapeutic community in Manali, which then turned out to be a backpackers community, we named it The Lost Tribe. I remember creating a whole ppt to present to my father, for him to agree to the business plan I was proposing. I organised art festivals, built a strong sense of community, and lived some of the best days of my life there. Depression hit me right around the time when autumn starts in Manali, and hence, I moved to Bangalore. Did a couple of projects, while I also supported my business partner with setting up The Lost Tribe in Goa.
It was only in the beginning of 2017, when I finally decided to move back to Gwalior, my home town. My brother and I envisioned the look, feel and touch of the brand that we wanted to create out of Amrutam. We knew that the products our father was creating needed a visibility on a global scale. Slowly, the team kept building, and we work like a family. We don’t just say it or believe it, we live it as #AmrutamFamily and that’s why it’s been so important and self-fulfilling on a personal level. At Amrutam, we have created a community not just outside, but at a very deeper level, at the core of it - we all have each other’s backs.
It’s going to be 4 years now, since we started working on the brand identity, and 3 years since we started getting some traction. The journey has been surprising with how much we have learnt, grown and empowered so many people with our ethos, our products and our vision to bring together all Ayurvedic lifestyle enthusiasts, experts and by offering recipes and resources derived from Sanskrit texts and knowledge in Vedas to suit the needs of a modern lifestyle.
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
Best part - there is no limit to how much you can grow, how much you can achieve and how much you can learn in every aspect. You get to learn every single day. Your curiosity, and eagerness to learn are the two most important characteristics as an entrepreneur.
Challenging part - sometimes the lines, between your professional life and personal needs, they get too blurry. I have observed how it becomes difficult to keep your own individuality separate from the work you do. Most often, we don’t recognise the need to do this, but if the lines are blurry for a really long time, you associate every high and every low of your organisation with your own highs and lows. It’s crucial to treat the organisation as a living breathing entity that is not you.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
No, I wouldn’t change a thing about any of my past experiences - they have made me who I am, and I fully accept it, and cherish it.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
We have created a strong relationship with over 1,00,000+ Amrutam family members. We have also managed to train and up-skill our long-serving team - both in production and operations. People who didn’t have basic education now run complex tech softwares without any assistance. Personal growth of each member at Amrutam has contributed to growth of the whole brand.
To add to that, we now have an Amrutam app and we also launched a telemedicine platform called Amrutam.global where you can book a video consultation with several Ayurvedic experts.
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
As a woman, I have an inbuilt mechanism that helps me understand people and communicate better. My education in psychology contributes to this virtue, too.
My work involves interacting with Amrutam Family through different means, be it social media or advertisement or even the small sticker on the order boxes. My ability to comprehend and communicate clearly always makes me stand out and help me excel at Amrutam to a huge extent.
7. What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting out?
Don’t chase perfection. In order to do something great, focus more on the discipline and persistence, than excellence and perfectionism.
When you work on something one day at a time, for a year, you’d be surprised when you will look back at the long way you have come. It’s not about big things that last momentarily, but little things done consistently, that makes it sustainable.
Leesha, Adah by Leesha
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adahbyleesha/
Website: https://www.adahbyleesha.com/
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
Adah by Leesha is a zero waste handloom brand. It started two years ago when I graduated and had just started working in the industry. I saw the waste being produced and workers being ill-treated and I decided I couldn’t be a part of this! That’s how I started Adah. We work with various artisans across India and provide employment opportunities to women. There is no scrap of fabric that goes into the bin from our end. The brand is all about caring for the planet and the people involved in the process.
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that made you go for it? Tell us your story.
I never wanted to be an entrepreneur as such. It wasn’t like a goal growing up that I wanted something of my own. I feel like the only thing I was determined to do while growing up was to understand my privilege and use it to help people in some way. As I got into the industry, I wasn’t sure how I would do that. And I think that was the point where I felt like the path of entrepreneurship and doing something meaningful crossed ways. Since then I have never looked back. I come from a family of business owners; most people have never done a job in their life so I think it comes naturally to me. I have always had good leadership and decision-making skills.
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
The best part is that you are not answerable to anyone; you make your own decisions and face the consequences yourself too. I love it; I love to see how my decision pans out in the future, something as simple as releasing a campaign and seeing the reaction. There are garments I have loved which I haven’t managed to sell at all and there are garments that I have hated and it’s been my best seller. I love the unpredictability.
All the above points are also challenging points I guess. One more thing I face personally with my business is loneliness. I hear my friends having colleagues and fun office stories and I don’t have that, maybe eventually when I start getting people on board this will go away, ha-ha.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
Yes, I will not put my energy into things I did. When you’re starting, you’re anyway so sceptical and scared, anything people say brings you down and I used to get affected by every petty comment and statement. Ugh, what a waste of their and my energy.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
To be able to survive the business through COVID, for sure! I truly thought I was done but after COVID business has been on a rise and I couldn’t be more grateful and determined.
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
My biggest supporters at work are my sister and mother; it’s amazing to see how women together can do so much. Just the instinct of nurturing things with so much love, care, and affection, looking out for everyone involved in the process, paying attention to the little details. Another thing I have personally seen is women constantly undermining themselves which kind of makes them constantly work hard to do better which also then works in our favour?
7. What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting out?
Don’t look at another business or entrepreneur and think that’s what you want to do or be like, look at problems you want to solve, solve them compassionately and it will turn into a business and you will become an entrepreneur. Also, always keep trying. Determination is the only thing that keeps you going!
Deepanjali, Heyday
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heydaycare/
Website: https://www.heydaycare.com/
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
Heyday is India's first mover in the biodegradable, organic, and natural personal hygiene segment. Heyday products consist of natural sanitary napkins, baby diapers, and panty liners for a safer, healthier, and softer way of experiencing hygiene. Made from pure organic corn and bamboo fibres Heyday pads, liners and diapers provide a rash-free, allergy-free, and super soft journey of care. While most commercial sanitary pads and diapers monopolized by big giants use harmful synthetic raw materials in the production, Heyday products are plant-based, completely safe, and biodegradable and decompose within 2 years from disposal saving the Earth from acres of polluted landfills. Consumers of sanitary napkins and baby diapers are unaware that their products contain 90% plastics, bleaches, parabens, perfumes, antibacterial agents, and chemicals harmful to their sensitive skin causing irritation, rashes, redness, and other serious ailments due to continuous exposure over a prolonged period. We are trying our best to raise awareness about sustainable personal care and ensuring that our products are accessible and affordable to everyone. We plan to completely revolutionize the personal care game by adding more products in the future which are a win-win for both the body and the environment. Heyday was started at a time when there was a rise in changing consumer behaviour and people wanted to adopt sustainable solutions to their everyday habits.
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that really made you go for it? Tell us your story.
It was during my job as a consultant where it dawned upon me that I had the scope of influencing positive impact beyond the conference room at a client site. The idea of finding sustainable solutions to everyday problems always fascinated me and being educated at all-women's institutions, I was always sensitive towards issues affecting women and wanted to come up with an innovative solution to problems affecting a large number of women.
I did a lot of preliminary research and found that 8 out of 10 women suffer from rashes and discomfort during periods. In fact, I had no idea that only 12% of Indian women used personal hygiene products like sanitary napkins, tampons, menstrual cups, etc. This figure needed to change and I just couldn't keep myself from digging deeper and conducting more industry research. I quit my job a few months later, with a head full of ideas and the desire to create something meaningful and revolutionary. My role at EY allowed me to gather the financial know-how of converting an idea to reality from a business perspective.
Upon returning to New Delhi and conducting in-depth scientific testing and research, I found that India is in the face of a personal hygiene crisis. Roughly only 12% of Indian women can afford sanitary napkins on their periods and even those 12% are unaware that the pads they are using are composed of plastics, bleaches, polymers, perfumes, antibacterial agents, and other toxins that can leave them susceptible to a host of problems harmful for their body like cervical cancers, urinary tract infections, rashes, allergies, and general skin sensitivity. Not only this, every year 9000 tonnes (432 million pads) of soiled sanitary waste is dumped in acres of landfills with no solution for decomposition thereby harming the environment endlessly. Not just pads, even plastic diapers were constantly adding to the ever-growing stack of plastics in landfills. I saw this as a major issue and took on the challenge to find a better, safer answer to this problem.
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
The best part of being an entrepreneur is that you can never hate your work, you will always be motivated to get back to work and make it better every single day. The passion you feel when you want to start your journey just keeps growing with every small success you get and pushes you to move forward.
The most challenging part especially in my case was entering the period care Industry which was considered a taboo in the Indian society and that too a highly monopolized market. However, I was not the one to give in and made sure that I start a conversation around menstrual hygiene and hopefully change the narrative eventually.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
Every day of your journey as an entrepreneur will bring new challenges and teach you a new thing. It involves a lot of research and we all make mistakes. I am more equipped to deal with some situations better now than I was before, but looking back on the journey, no, I don’t think I would want to change anything. It has been adventurous, eventful, and a journey of sorts. We have come a long way and want to go even longer.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
We have seen a lot of milestones in our three-year journey, but what stands out as being included in Forbes 30 under 30, Asia and India, 2018. That is when we started getting queries from across the country and soon launched our ecommerce portal to cater to a wider audience. There has been no looking back since then.
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
Being consistent, not giving up, and showing up no matter how tough things got. But I think anyone can excel if they put their complete effort towards it and is not restricted to any gender. I was raised as an equal and always taught to be independent and headstrong.
7. What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting?
Don’t let anyone hold you back, there is so much to be done and you have so much in you to give back! So get up and get cracking!
Srabasti & Sohini, Hutke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hutke.store/
Website: https://www.hutkestore.com/
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
We are Hutke, a home decor and soft furnishing online company. Hutke means ‘different’ in colloquial Hindi. Meant for the wild in spirit, Hutke is the go-to destination for people who want their homes to stand out from the rest. The gap that we wanted to bridge was to bring a young, handmade and vibrant touch to home decor. To be different, to stand out, that was the idea behind hutke.
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that really made you go for it? Tell us your story.
Well for me (Srabasti), it was when I was a kid. I always wanted to be my own boss. I was studying economics and I hated attending those classes, I would end up day dreaming the entire time of having my own company one day while the professor drew graphs and derivatives on the board. The frustration of not being able to channelize my creativity my way was the game changer.
Sohini: I was working in bank back in 2015, that's when I realised I wanted to be my own boss. I was stuck in a 9-5 job, and it was vicious cycle of doing the same thing every day.
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
That you are your own boss. It's the best and the worst thing. You have to deal with each and every problem that your business goes through, from the smallest to the most challenging ones. You are responsible for your decisions, for the mistakes that you make. You have to have the courage to accept your mistakes and quickly find a way out of it. You cannot put the blame on someone else, it's
your baby and you got to deal with it.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
Yes, so many things. That one major thing would be to do thorough market research, to know your target audience, know their likes and dislikes.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
To be united as an organisation. Especially for us as friends who became co-owners, unity was taken for granted. But our journey through rocky roads made us realise the importance of unity between both of us, our employees and our customers.
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
Compassion and patience.
7. What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting out?
People, who are thinking of getting started with their own business, JUST DO IT. The first step is the most difficult. Even though there will be multiple challenges and more severe ones, taking the plunge to invest in your own dream are worth the risk. Also never give up on your dream!
Sheena, The Blue Sheep Tirthan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebluesheephostel/
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
I run a boutique hostel in Tirthan valley in Himachal called The Blue Sheep Tirthan. Apart from being a home for travellers from around the world, it's also the space where we host art-based workshops and creative camps.
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that made you go for it? Tell us your story.
I worked for a really interesting environmental organization doing real meaningful work in the field. Despite it being a creative and rewarding job I found myself increasingly unhappy and bound. That is when I realized that this might not be for me. I always wanted to start a small business where I could make ends meet and just enough money to travel once in a while. When I moved back home I ended up converting our house into a hostel and truly escaped the city!
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
The most challenging part would be the fact that you become your work. It becomes your identity and at times it's hard to stop working! As a woman in any field, there are an extra set of problems that you face that bring your morale down. The best thing is the fact that you are your boss, even if you work more than you would in any job! You see each thing you do materialize into something and that is a truly special feeling.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
Now that I think of it, surprisingly nothing! Somehow I did all the right things at the right time and put all my energy into it.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
There isn't anything in particular but every time someone writes to us from their heart after their time with us, it is the biggest reward we can ask for!
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
I think women are good at relating to everyone, whether it is having heartfelt conversations with travellers in the hostel or creating a special bond with everyone who works with us.
7. What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting?
The first thing I'd want to tell them is to get ready to work hard and give your all to your project. Don't dive into something without good research and maybe work with someone who is in the same field to understand the challenges of that field before you start. Never compare your success or failures to anyone, rather focus on what you can achieve!
Monalisha, Earthaments
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthaments/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earthments
1. Tell us a little bit about your venture.
Here at Earthaments, we relive the stories, tales from yesteryears. We gently pick up the fragments, from days gone by and caress them into a contemporary nutshell. Our love for vintage is unsavoury, never dying as we venture into the unspoken paths scripting stories out of the memory fragments. We celebrate the essence of our tribal culture and steer ourselves along with indigenous aesthetics. Down to execution, we are committed to handcraft, as each piece is provided its due time and effort.
2. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that made you go for it? Tell us your story.
Being termed an “entrepreneur” wasn’t a distant thought or intention in mind when it all started. Those were the days when a simple lass stood awe-inspired by the karigars at work, down the streets of Shovabazar. The love of art made me see off each design from paper till it sat adorning the muse. I saw people associating themselves with and around EARTHAMENTS over the years. The road ahead seemed set, the payroll kicked off, I knew the crossroad has been reached, no turning back.
3. What’s the best and what’s the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
In the transition from an inspired designer to a small-time entrepreneur, the luxury of unrestricted play with the designs in your head leaps out of the window. The entire production cycle needs to be catered to, with each segment of it, having its specific need. The nights are stretched to keep designing as a part of the art and not the trade alone.
It all seems worthy when the feedback is one with laud and each member of the EARTHAMENTS family rejoices for a job well done. Making that moment possible is my biggest reward.
4. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you do anything differently?
I have enjoyed every bit of the journey, thus far and also the company, I have been blessed with. I would probably not change anything if I were to return to the starting point. The entire path has been a journey seeking knowledge and I am happy to let it run a natural course.
5. What has been the biggest milestone in the journey of your brand so far?
I wouldn’t like to identify one as the biggest; milestones are best achieved, naturally. Let’s not jinx them!
Speaking of milestones, there however is something I consider as the biggest achievement.
In Kolkata, the brand started as an identity quite recognizable by my name. Well now, irrespective of the location I visit, strolling down roads, I tend to find people identifying the brand on its name and merit, posing the question: “Are you from EARTHAMENTS?”
6. As a woman, what do you think your superpowers are that help you excel at your work?
Superpower, I am not sure but being in the business I have crossed paths with a horde of women, observed them from another keen woman’s eyes.
I have studied each one of them, related to their hardships and sufferings drew inspiration from their success, and crafted stories out of their inspiring lives. Such has been an essence of my work, from tribal zeal to metropolis success I have proudly touched upon each one of them.
7.What would be that one piece of advice to all budding entrepreneurs who are just starting?
Be Original! Navigate the world through your own eyes. Create, inspired!
Inspired work provides satisfaction at all strata, of designing, execution, production, and post.
The market, sometimes, seems infested with a lack of originality which is sad to see. Copying is not a design choice. It’s a very poor reflection on the brand and its key players.
Well, we can’t stop admiring the relentless spirits of these incredible women, who had the courage and passion to follow their hearts and to take the road less traveled by. What a pleasure it has been for us to host these supremely talented & passionate entrepreneurs on ‘Stories by Amrapali’ on this special occasion of International Women's Day. Their words of wisdom, experiences, struggles, solutions and optimism have taken our zeal to nurture our passion a notch higher.
Did you enjoy the stories? We'd love to know which one inspired you the most. :)