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Ghazal Alagh, who is the co-founder of Honasa Consumer, maker of Mamaearth brand, and a shark from the inaugural season of Shark Tank India, recently recounted her meeting with Smriti Irani, Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs, who is also an MP from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency.

Taking to social media, Alagh shared three key takeaways from her interaction with Smriti Irani, the politician, former actress, and television producer. 

In their encounter, Smriti Irani underscored the pivotal life stages prompting women to exit their professions - marriage, motherhood, and children's board exams - stressing the significance of employer assistance during these periods. Reflecting on her firm's policies, Ghazal noted that at Honasa Consumer Ltd., they have successfully preserved nearly all employees throughout these critical junctures. “At Honasa Consumer Ltd., we've proudly retained almost 100 percent of employees through these life stages”, Ghazal stated.


<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/why-is-mamaearths-ghazal-alagh-un-celebrating-womens-day-25827.htm">Read more: Why is Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh "un-celebrating Women's Day"?</a>


Smriti Irani emphasised that although there has been advancement in women's involvement at the grassroots level due to increased enrollment and college graduations, the main obstacle persists in attaining adequate representation in corporate settings, particularly in leadership positions.

Lastly, during their discussion, Irani emphasised a key insight as the third takeaway. She noted that despite the autonomy of numerous women, important financial decisions, including investments, are frequently entrusted to men, whether they are spouses or fathers. She underscored the significance of altering this perspective and encouraged women to spearhead the effort in bringing about this change. Alagh spotlighted the takeaway, saying, "For many independent women, core financial decisions like investments are still made by men (spouses/fathers). This mindset needs to change, and we women must lead this transformation." 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/mamaearths-ghazal-alagh-shares-what-happened-when-she-met-kapil-dev-26641.htm">Read more: Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh shares what happened when she met Kapil Dev</a>

Alagh said, "I must admit, I'm a total fangirl of Smriti Irani Ji's grace, intellect, and charisma. Her deep understanding of core issues and structural solutions is remarkably strong. More power to her!"

Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh had a fan-girl moment when she met Smriti Irani. Find out why

As a woman entrepreneur navigating the dynamic landscape of Deeptech, every step of my journey has been an exploration of both triumphs and challenges. One of the most intriguing hurdles I encountered early on was the quest for acceptance within an industry traditionally dominated by male counterparts. In those nascent stages, securing the necessary support to propel our technology forward and carve out a distinct presence in the startup ecosystem was no
small feat.

My journey took a pivotal turn when I was selected by Google for Startups Accelerator. From day one, Google for Startups Accelerator Program not only accepted me but also actively promoted and supported my role as a woman entrepreneur. Their unwavering belief in my potential instilled a newfound confidence in me at a time when validation from the market seemed elusive.

One of my most significant personal achievements revolves around my journey in the tech industry, particularly my experiences at companies like Google, TikTok (ByteDance), and ShareChat. Despite my age of 27, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in the vibrant and innovative cultures of these tech giants, learning from some of the brightest minds in the industry. It was within these environments that I found the inspiration to venture into entrepreneurship.

The catalyst for my entrepreneurial pursuit stemmed from the dynamic ecosystem fostered by Google. In 2023, GoCodeo, the company I co-founded, achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest entity ever selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator cohort. This recognition validated our vision and potential within the tech ecosystem.

Moreover, our dedication and innovative approach led us to another recognition, as we were also accepted into Nasscom's Generative AI foundry. These accomplishments not only underscored our potential but also opened doors to invaluable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

However, if I were to pinpoint a singular achievement that stands out to me, it would undoubtedly be the organic acquisition of users for GoCodeo. Leveraging my expertise in SEO and marketplace strategies, we managed to onboard over 13,000 developers from more than 40 countries without allocating a single dollar towards marketing efforts. This achievement not only demonstrates the efficacy of our approach but also speaks volumes about the relevance and value proposition of our platform within the global developer community.

When it comes to sharing the spotlight with someone who has inspired and influenced me profoundly, I would like to nominate B R Sheelavathi, a remarkable
teacher by profession and an extraordinary mother by relation. To me, she embodies the epitome of strength. Growing up under her guidance, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication she poured into every aspect of her life.

In every aspect of my journey, I find echoes of her resilience. Whether I&#39;m facing challenges in my career or navigating the complexities of life, her teachings serve as a guiding light, reminding me to stay true to myself, to never settle for mediocrity, and to always strive for excellence. So, when asked whom I want to share the spotlight with, there is no doubt in my mind that it is she who deserves to stand alongside me. Her unwavering support, her boundless wisdom, and her relentless pursuit of excellence have been the driving force behind my journey, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-amplys-anshika-parihar-on-resilience-and-trusting-the-process-27118.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Amply's Anshika Parihar on resilience and trusting the process</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: GoCodeo's Meghana Jagadeesh on navigating deeptech as a woman entrepreneur

Figuring out what to build at Amply. I didn’t really have a preference on corporate vs start-up after my graduation. When Anshul, my co-founder, came to me with the idea of building Amply, it felt as a natural next step to explore something new. The difficult part came one year down the journey when we were still unable to figure out the product market fit for Amply. The pressure started mounting on where you go into a self-doubt spiral almost every next day. That I believe has been the biggest professional challenge of my career till date where both Amply and I were going through an existential crisis.

But immense gratitude to the wonderful team we’ve built that we found the motivation to keep pushing on day after day and decided not give up on our venture. Anshul has this one quote written at our office in bold – “you keep hitting the ceiling long enough that it finally breaks". And that’s exactly what we did – chased the clients long enough that Amply finally found a very strong product-market fit and unleashed a huge market demand.

It's imperative for a founder to be resilient, not give up and trust the process. And, as a part of that process, I strongly believe seeing rejections in a positive light is undoubtedly the most important skill you acquire while building a start-up and I’m glad to have learned it to some extent.

Building Amply as a product to what it is to today is something that I am very proud of. However my biggest personal achievement is assembling the team behind it. We have some really wonderful folks at Amply who are highly driven, hard-working and wizards at their line of work. When you’re building a start-up then I think you spend more time with your team than with anyone else. Therefore, it’s really important to build a team with a strong culture that motivates each other to work towards that vision. For me, to help them believe in the vision has been the most important and fulfilling part of my
job.

I’d love to share the spotlight with Bani Singh and Drishti Gupta, founders of Now&Me.I met them during Google for Startups Accelerator Program and their starting up story felt really close to the heart. They launched Now&Me during their college days, a choice that I consider exceptionally courageous for a young graduate. Bani and Drishti chose to tackle a highly sensitive and crucial issue of mental wellness and have executed it beautifully. Their approach to bringing well-researched awareness to this topic and providing responsible support through the platform shows the level of accountability every
founder must have.

I absolutely love how they’ve organically built Now&Me’s SEO and online presence from scratch. In the initial days of your start-up, money is definitely one of the main bottlenecks to your marketing ambitions. I think it’s really necessary for founders to first get their hands dirty in
building a strong base organically. For us at Amply, this has also been instrumental in fine tuning to what our customer really wants in the product.

Both Bani and Drishti have been my go-to people for advice and support in the start-up community. Their venture Now&Me is a brilliant vision and more important than that, they are doing a great job executing it. The kind of entrepreneurs we need in today’s age, kudos.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-marriott-internationals-khushnooma-kapadia-on-empathy-and-challenges-of-starting-from-the-bottom-26936.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Marriott International's Khushnooma Kapadia on empathy and challenges of starting from the bottom</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Amply's Anshika Parihar on resilience and trusting the process

My biggest professional challenge has been building a profitable business while maintaining scalability. It's a constant rollercoaster of learning and problem-solving. From mastering client relationships and negotiations to nurturing and expanding my team, each day brings new hurdles. But through it all, I've learned resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance. It's not just about success; it's about the journey and the growth that comes with it.

Embracing motherhood and bringing my precious daughter into this world stands as my most profound personal achievement. It's a journey marked by unparalleled growth and self-discovery. Motherhood has unlocked reservoirs of resilience, patience, and boundless love within me. It's a transformative experience that has shaped me in ways I never imagined. Each day, I'm amazed by the strength and grace it demands. I encourage fellow women to embrace this transformative journey wholeheartedly, for it holds the power to illuminate our lives with a depth of joy and purpose beyond measure.

I want to give a shout-out to my mentor, Somdutta Singh. She's the real deal, with no frills attached. Dr. Singh doesn't just talk the talk; she walks the walk. Her work ethic is solid, and she's always on the move, whether it's traveling for business or lending a hand to a colleague. But what really sets her apart is how she roots for other women. She's like that reliable friend who's always there to cheer you on, pushing you to be your best self, especially when it comes to supporting other women on their journeys of growth and success.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-marriott-internationals-khushnooma-kapadia-on-empathy-and-challenges-of-starting-from-the-bottom-26936.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Marriott International's Khushnooma Kapadia on empathy and challenges of starting from the bottom</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Yulia Aslamova of DRIM Global on constant rollercoaster of learning and problem-solving

Life is always unpredictable and throws many challenges, it’s never a linear process. I too have faced a fair share of challenges in my life both professionally and personally. Such as navigating through the recession when my job's relevance was questioned during a financially tight period, leading to an existential crisis. Similarly, managing through the pandemic was incredibly tough with no guidebook on managing confusion, health concerns, and maintaining professional stability while being relied upon for support. 

Not just professionally, during the pandemic it was also about domestic responsibilities while taking care of children who were homeschooling, which came with its own set of challenges and adjustments, given it was a first for them and us parents as well. It was a complex process of crisis management. Despite these challenges, I'm proud to have persevered, drawing strength from my upbringing and personal resilience, never giving up in the face of adversity.

As a leader, I pride myself on my ability to empathize deeply with those I lead. Climbing the ladder of success, it's easy to forget the challenges of starting from the bottom, but I strive to maintain that perspective. My leadership style is a blend of expecting high performance while also being kind and compassionate. 

This balance has developed over time, influenced by my spiritual practices and the mentorship of remarkable individuals like Rajeev Menon is the President, Asia Pacific Excluding China (APEC) of Marriott International, Inc., has been a shining example of compassionate leadership, showing kindness and respect to everyone in the hierarchy even in the most challenging times. I've also had the opportunity to learn from Neeraj Govil, Senior Vice President of Operations for Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International. He has taught me the importance of balancing business management with people management, emphasizing a laser-focused approach on financials while ensuring the respect and dignity of individuals are upheld. He has a knack for mobilizing a team of strong personalities, all while maintaining a high level of professionalism.

Learning from these mentors has been a significant professional achievement, shaping me into the leader I am today. No number of awards or recognition can compare to the invaluable lessons I've learned from their leadership.

So, I'll tell you who inspires me in my current ecosystem of operation. It’s my executive assistant Sumita V Kamble. It's truly inspiring to hear about the strength and resilience she embodies. Despite facing incredibly challenging circumstances at home with her child's health, who has been detected with a brain tumour, undergone surgery, and had a long road to recovery over the next six months. My assistant still comes to work every day with tranquillity, a smile, and a congenial attitude, handling her professional responsibilities with maturity and professionalism. It's clear that she embodies the epitome of a complete woman, balancing emotional strength, resilience, and professionalism in a way that is truly admirable. Her ability to navigate such complex emotions and challenges while excelling in her role is commendable. She deserves to be celebrated and admired not just on one day, but every day for her remarkable strength and character.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-sahar-mansoor-of-bare-necessities-on-imagination-and-resilience-26753.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Sahar Mansoor of Bare Necessities on imagination and resilience</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Marriott International's Khushnooma Kapadia on empathy and challenges of starting from the bottom

For a startup there are many many professional challenges, not just one or two, getting the right size of funding at the right time for your venture, finding the correct product market fit for your product and keeping pace with the ever evolving world of technology are what come to the top of
my mind. It can get quite lonely for the founding team and sometimes we are not sure if we are doing the right thing.

This is where Google for Startups Accelerator Program plays a critical role. They bring us the insights from seasoned investors and other startups who share the insights on how to prepare your venture for funding. 

Organ transplantation is an extremely complex and difficult area of medical treatment. I look upon my team at Metamagics and myTransplant software that we have built with a sense of fulfillment, as we have been able to make an impact. We have been working in mission mode and the results are worth every sacrifice that this team has made. Having supportive, forward looking users as our very satisfied customers and a team dedicated to the cause of making myTransplant a success in every sense is a huge opportunity that I feel very proud of.

I would like to share the spotlight with my colleague Apurva Shete. She joined our team myTransplant as a fresher with a degree in computer engineering and I am amazed at her progress. In a startup the team members do not have the luxury of too many seniors and they have to learn things on the fly. Apurva is unfazed no matter what new responsibilities we have asked her to take, be it new technology, new concept, new project, she has this uncanny CAN
DO attitude. A mother of two, a team member and a team leader, I wish to see more Apurvas in my team and elsewhere, responsive, dependable and innovative.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-sahar-mansoor-of-bare-necessities-on-imagination-and-resilience-26753.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Sahar Mansoor of Bare Necessities on imagination and resilience</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Anita Kulkarni Puranik of Metamagics on working in mission mode

I think being an entrepreneur is extremely rewarding, but the road is often filled with challenges. There are always nay-sayers, and it takes a certain ingredient of resilience to persist. Personally, these are some of the challenges I faced.

I was told that I wouldn't be an academic success in the traditional sense of the word because of my learning disabilities. I was told that I would never be able to afford the education of my dreams at Cambridge because I was a single mother. Moreover, I was also told that I could not start my own business in India without my father’s money or VC money.

But we humans are resilient. So let no one tell you what you can and cannot do. Be bold in your imagination and create the most vivid and beautiful life for yourself. After all, we are the authors of our stories. We can physically, emotionally, and mentally heal from anything and defy all socially constructed notions of what our lives should look like.

Being a woman entrepreneur also enables me to harness my values to overcome these barriers. Being raised by a single mother, I wanted to create an enterprise that empowers women – I am very proud to say that we are (almost) completely a women-run enterprise! I am excited to share that we are currently fully bootstrapped, retailing in 50 stores across 10 states in the country and serving over 40,000+ customers.

As a small team, one of our biggest challenges has been scaling and navigating the rapid growth that we will be experiencing. Sustainability and allied concepts are at the crux of what we do, while technology has not always been our key cornerstone. A huge eureka moment for us at GFSA was discovering the potential that AI has to propel our growth forward.

Consciously designed in a holistic manner, the Google for Startups Accelerator program brings together the best of Google’s resources - programs, products, people, and technology. We have learnt so much, ranging from business operations, mindsets, equanimity, embracing the process, and accepting the stress.

Mansoor shares the spotlight with Tanvie Hans. As per her, Hans is a supremely talented and skilled footballer. She plays for Bangalore United in the
Indian Women's League. She is the first Indian-origin woman who played for prestigious English clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC and Fulham Ladies FC.

Another woman Mansoor has highlighted is Ishita Malaviya - India’s first female pro surfer is transforming the sport in India. She is also creating jobs through the Shaka Surf Club in Karnataka, in alliance with the local community of Kodi Bengre village. And like Tanvie, she too is gaining a foothold in male-dominated territory.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/sharethespotlight-ciplas-geena-malhotra-on-colleague-and-mentee-patsy-jeffery-26509.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">#ShareTheSpotlight: Cipla's Geena Malhotra on colleague and mentee Patsy Jeffery</a>

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Sahar Mansoor of Bare Necessities on imagination and resilience

When Prachi Bali, EVP Business Head, Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate started working in digital, most marketers didn’t know enough about it. "It was stuck in their minds as a ‘fun’ medium for audience engagement. They were metaphorically in the dark about the possibilities it could unlock for business growth. Making these learned partners learn again. And then get them to understand the dynamism and constant evolution inherent to the medium," says Bali and adds, "For both these challenges, the one solve that worked for me (and continues to do so even today) was knowledge sharing. Walking together with them, their teams and in some case, even their partners. Extract, utilise and maximise data to embolden them. Starting with less-risk use cases and
encouraging them to invest more and play at scale."

For Bali, her biggest achievement has Becoming a business head at 27. In an industry that was ‘unknown’ and over-shadowed by ATL. Being able to deliver on revenue and growth consistently without fail. Nurturing a team that became believers, while continuing my own personal growth trajectory.

While talking about the women she wants to share the spotlight with, Bali says, "(Warning: this might sound Ms. India-ish, but is true!) Every woman I have worked with. Be it in the agency, as a client or as a collaborator. The connections we made on work or beyond, the invisible ‘vibes’ we caught, the unexpected reach-outs and eye-rolling that happened. While continuing to ‘kick-ass’ at what we do. Maybe not every woman, but with most of them, much gratitude for being part of my journey."

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate's Prachi Bali on making learned partners learn again

Founding a startup is simultaneously the most exciting and the most fearsome thing that some of us have done. Is that because it involves pinning our hopes and dreams on a singular belief that we possess and going for it with blinders on? Partly, yes. But a huge part of this challenge also comes from navigating this space as a woman.

In 2023, a report by National Association of Software and Services Company (NASSCOM) on India’s startup ecosystem stated that only 18 percent of companies have at least one woman founder or co-founder.

This battle gets an additional layer added to it when you are a woman founder dealing with a topic that is a social taboo. As a founder of a sex-tech startup that also creates community-driven sex ed resources, I know what that pushback can look like.

When I came across Aditi Gupta and her work with Menstrupedia, what I felt was nothing short of awe. Society as we know it is considerably different from what it was back in 2012, when Menstrupedia began its journey to educate people about menstruation by way of games and comics. It isn’t easy to deal with the daily apprehensions that one faces while fighting the hard fight of breaking generations of stereotypes and repression. 

To do this when the social landscape was far more regressive and resistant to change than it is now, is inspiring to say the least. More than that, to be able to take personal experiences where one faced extreme prejudice and discrimination and to turn it into something so beautiful for others is something I aspire to do with my own company. It is people who have walked before you on the path that you’re trudging along, that guide the way after all.

When we founded Sangya Project, our aim was to simply provide Sex Education for adults on our Instagram page. Apprehensive about how this would be perceived in a world where taking charge of your own body is looked down upon, especially for women, we were pleasantly surprised by the love we received from the community we built. It helped us navigate the sort of challenges one wouldn’t face if the sector was something ordinary such as clothes or jewellery. It was this love and support that helped us hold on to the idea of making sexual wellness a daily part of all our lives when we would very often get rejected by banks, payment gateways, investors and even our packaging vendors. 

It was also this same love and support that made us believe that we are more than capable of manufacturing pleasure products right here in India and for us to focus solely on that goal till we became the first manufacturers of an Indian made intimate massager. Somehow the challenge, which was the absolute lack of dialogue around sexual wellness coupled with the love we received for the work we do, ended up being the very thing that brought us our greatest achievement so far– being the only manufacturers of personal massagers in India. 

So here’s to all the women founders who believe in themselves enough to take that chance, who walk the path seldom walked to make sure that the next generation do not face the taboos and the discrimination we faced on a daily basis, who inspire by simply existing and putting their heads down to work. Please keep going. You never know whom you inspire into joining you in your vision to build a society that is more compassionate and supportive of our needs. 

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

#ShareTheSpotlight: Sangya Project's Shweta Sangtani on social taboos and navigating the sex-tech startup space

In the spirit of solidarity, support, and mentorship among women in the workplace, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for my colleague and mentee, Patsy Jeffery. In a competitive professional landscape, I firmly believe in the power of collaboration over rivalry. Patsy exemplifies this ethos through her unwavering dedication to learning and mastery in her field. She embodies an eager learner, driven by curiosity and an unyielding thirst for knowledge. From the moment she embarked on her professional journey as a management trainee, she made it clear that she wasn't content with merely scratching the surface; she wanted to delve deep, to understand the intricacies of her field, and to master her craft.

In the early days of Patsy's career, she approached her professional development with a hunger for knowledge and a determination to excel. Recognising the value of learning from those with more experience, she eagerly sought out opportunities to shadow me, including traveling with me to plants, be part of batch manufacturing, part of meetings with partners and more. Patsy's approach to professional development is marked by initiative and resourcefulness. She actively seeks out opportunities for growth, including shadowing experiences, where her ability to extract insights and ask probing questions sets her apart.

What truly sets Patsy apart, however, is her fearless approach to decision-making. Unlike many who might shy away from deviating from the status quo or challenging popular beliefs, Patsy embraces the opportunity to think critically, to question assumptions, and to forge her own path. She is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, to explore alternative perspectives, and to chart a course that aligns with her own convictions and values, even if it’s going against popular beliefs!

I have witnessed Patsy undergo not only professional transformation but also personal struggles, emerging stronger. When faced with the challenge of having a premature child with critical medical issues while contemplating her role at Cipla, she defied industry norms by securing a work-from-home option, unheard of in the pharma sector at the time. Patsy tirelessly worked day and night, sealing high-value deals for the North American market, contributing significantly to the company's success while also prioritizing her child's welfare. Through it all, I observed Patsy's unwavering faith in God and His guiding hand, which was profoundly inspiring.

As a mentor, witnessing Patsy’s growth has been incredibly rewarding. Her confidence, knowledge, and skill have flourished over time, demonstrating the transformative power of curiosity and dedication. In Patsy, I see not just a mentee, but a future leader. Her embodiment of values, curiosity, and resilience assures me of her continued success. It is a privilege to have played an important role in her development, and I have no doubt that she will continue to shine brightly as she forges her own path in her career.

When I started my professional journey in the 1980s the challenges for women spanned restricted chances for professional growth, unequal compensation in comparison to men, and widespread discrimination based on gender. Many businesses were run by traditional, male-dominated ideologies that devalued the contributions of women and placed them in jobs of lesser prestige. Despite this, Cipla challenged traditional ideologies by advocating equal pay and many other forward-thinking policies to promote diversity and inclusion. Through concerted efforts to change company mindsets and practices, women gradually gained greater recognition and opportunities for advancement in the workforce.

I witnessed respect based on merit rather than gender bias. While some unconscious biases existed initially, the organisation’s commitment to equality ensured they quickly dissipated. The concept of a “Glass Ceiling” was not evident, as both myself and my colleagues ascended the organisational ladder based on merit. Navigating male-dominated spaces was not challenging for me, thanks to the supportive environment cultivated by Mr. MK Hamied and Dr. YK Hamied. However, learning from external struggles reinforced the importance of resilience, self-advocacy, and building strong support networks.

Although my experience has been much better than several other women, I have had the privilege of meeting during the course of my career, a common thread of learning is we need to consciously invest in our domestic support networks and build an environment of mutual respect within the family to ensure our ‘balancing act’ is well supported by every member. Personally, I’ve found that openly sharing both the triumphs and tribulations of my work life with my family strengthens their resolve to support me on my professional journey. Prioritising the development of a healthy home environment is paramount for achieving sustainable work-life balance and overall well-being.

 
Drawing from my experiences, I can confidently say that while having a supportive organisation is an advantage and blessing, every woman in her professional journey must be resilient. It’s crucial to learn how to overcome setbacks and maintain focus on your objectives. Advocating for oneself and fellow women in the workplace, coupled with assertiveness in expressing ideas and contributions, can help navigate any challenge that may come our way. Moreover, establishing robust support networks with friends, mentors, sponsors, and allies who offer guidance, support, and opportunities for advancement is imperative for success in any leadership role.

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

WOMENS DAY