As a feminist, this is one of my favorite blog topics to ever write on. Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate trailblazers, but for me, it’s also personal. As someone who dreams of being among the top women entrepreneurs in the world, I often find myself wondering: Where do I even start? I don’t have a million-dollar idea yet, nor do I know what my empire will look like.
Ps. I know it doesn't make for a great story but I was actually inspired to do something of my own by watching this show called Legacy. (For those of you who've watched Fallon chase her dreams and hit the ground running on her dad's business empire, you'd know what exactly I'm talking about.) For others, the show was witty, savage, and gave you just what you needed so you should definitely give it a watch.
Anyway, that's not what we're here to discuss today. If history has shown us anything, it's that great entrepreneurs start with curiosity, passion, and relentless ambition. Who cares if I don't have a great idea right now? This blog is my zero in the zero to one. So, let’s dive into the stories of women who turned their dreams into reality, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find the inspiration to do the same.
When Is Women's History Month & Why It Matters
Women’s History Month is celebrated every March, honoring the achievements of women in various fields. But honestly? Women entrepreneurs in India don’t just deserve a month of recognition—they deserve their own history books.
For centuries, society has told women they don’t belong in boardrooms, investment pitches, or tech hubs. But these five women? They didn’t just break the rules; they rewrote the entire playbook. Let’s meet them.
I'll be honest, I'm almost ashamed that I didn't care enough to learn about their journeys before writing this blog but now that I know, their stories are impactful and have touched my core.
Top Women Entrepreneurs in India
1. Falguni Nayar – The Investment Banker Who Became a Beauty Mogul
đź’„ Industry: Beauty & E-commerce
🚀 Company: Nykaa
Her Journey: From Finance to Foundation Shades
Falguni Nayar spent over 20 years in investment banking before taking the biggest risk of her life at age 49. While most people would be planning their retirement, she decided to start Nykaa, an online beauty marketplace. The gamble? Worth it. Nykaa is now a billion-dollar empire, and she’s India’s richest self-made woman.
The Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs:
People told her beauty products wouldn’t sell online in India.
Competing against giants like Sephora and MAC was intimidating.
Raising funding as a woman entrepreneur was a struggle.
What She Did Differently:
She focused on educating women about makeup through tutorials, blogs, and influencer marketing.
Brought global beauty brands to India.
Launched Nykaa’s own private-label products, making them more affordable.
Lesson for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
If you think it’s too late to start, think again.
2. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – The Biotech Visionary Who Made India a Pharma Leader
🧪 Industry: Biotechnology
🚀 Company: Biocon
Her Journey: The Woman Who Turned ₹10,000 Into a Billion-Dollar Company
In 1978, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon with just ₹10,000 and a dream of making India self-sufficient in pharmaceuticals. Today, Biocon is a global biotech giant, making life-saving drugs affordable for millions.
The Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs:
The biotech industry was male-dominated.
Investors didn’t believe a woman could run a pharmaceutical company.
No one wanted to fund her idea.
How She Overcame Them:
Built Biocon from scratch, proving that talent > gender.
Focused on research-driven, affordable medicine for India.
Became a global leader, earning a net worth of over $2 billion.
Lesson for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Sometimes, the best way to break into an industry is to create your own path.
3. Vineeta Singh – The Woman Who Made Sugar Cosmetics a Household Name
đź’… Industry: Beauty & D2C E-commerce
🚀 Company: Sugar Cosmetics
Her Journey: From MBA Graduate to Business Icon
Vineeta Singh had a job offer of ₹1 crore per year but turned it down to start her own business. That bold decision led to Sugar Cosmetics, a brand that perfectly caters to Indian skin tones. Today, Sugar is a ₹500+ crore company.
The Problems Faced by Women Entrepreneurs:
Competing against global brands like Maybelline & L'Oréal.
Convincing investors that an Indian beauty brand could succeed.
The struggles of starting up with limited capital.
How She Overcame Them:
Focused on social media & influencer marketing to build a loyal audience.
Created high-quality products at affordable prices.
Became a Shark Tank India judge, mentoring future entrepreneurs.
Lesson for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Your passion is more important than a safe career path.
4. Richa Kar – The Woman Who Made Lingerie Shopping Less Awkward
đź‘™ Industry: Fashion & E-commerce
🚀 Company: Zivame
Her Journey: Fighting Stigma, One Bra at a Time
Before Zivame, lingerie shopping in India was awkward, uncomfortable, and filled with judgment. Richa Kar decided to change that by creating a safe, private, and convenient online platform. Today, Zivame is a ₹1,200 crore brand.
The Problems Faced by Women Entrepreneurs:
Convincing investors that lingerie e-commerce was a serious business.
Fighting cultural taboos around lingerie shopping.
Handling family disapproval of her career choice.
Lesson for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
If no one is talking about it, that’s where the real opportunity is.
5. Ghazal Alagh – The Mompreneur Who Built Mamaearth
🍼 Industry: Skincare & Organic Products
🚀 Company: Mamaearth
Ghazal Alagh started Mamaearth because she couldn’t find toxin-free skincare products for her baby. Now? Mamaearth is a ₹10,000 crore company and one of India’s most trusted skincare brands.
What Makes Her a Game-Changer?
- First Indian beauty brand to go 100% toxin-free.
- Built a community-driven business with a loyal customer base.
- Turned "organic skincare" into a booming industry in India.
Lesson to Learn: Solve a real problem, and success will follow.
Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in India (And How They Overcame Them)
Being a woman entrepreneur in India isn’t easy. Here’s what these women (and many others) have had to deal with:
1. Lack of Funding
- Investors still hesitate to back women-led startups.
- Only 2.3% of VC funding globally goes to female founders.
đź’ˇ Solution: Many women bootstrap their businesses until they can prove their worth. Falguni Nayar built Nykaa with personal savings before seeking funding.
2. Gender Bias
- Investors and customers often trust male-led brands more.
- Women-led startups get questioned more on profitability.
đź’ˇ Solution: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw faced this but let her work do the talking. Today, she’s a billionaire.
3. Work-Life Balance Myths
- Society still expects women to prioritize family over business.
- Many believe that a woman can’t have both a successful career and a personal life.
đź’ˇ Solution: Ghazal Alagh built Mamaearth while raising a child, proving otherwise.
Final Thoughts: Why Women Entrepreneurs in India Deserve More Recognition
These women didn’t just build businesses—they changed mindsets, created opportunities, and inspired millions to build their legacies. The next time you hear someone say, “Can women really run big businesses?” just send them this article.
Their stories are proof that no matter your background, challenges, or industry, success is possible. And who knows? Maybe a future blog will feature my name as a top woman entrepreneur in India. Until then, let’s keep learning, growing, and dreaming big
Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that women don’t just break glass ceilings—they build empires.
.png)
.png)
0 Comments