In a world where entrepreneurship has always been seen through a male lens, women have shattered this narrative time and again. Trailbrazing women have transformed businesses, sectors with not just their resilience, but also their creativity and smart business decisions. We have all read and know about these women. But in this article, we celebrate the women lesser known, with brands that have not only redefined success, but also created a space where other budding entrepreneurs can follow.
This International Women’s Day, we turn the spotlight on the bold, unsung sheroes who are shaping the future. In a landscape where success is often dominated by statistics and metrics, their stories and businesses tell the tales of persistence.
Women entrepreneurs you should know more about
Pallavi Agarwal
Founder and CEO of India’s largest backpacker hostel brand, goSTOPS, Pallavi received the ‘Rising Segment’ Award in the Travel and Hospitality category in the first-ever Express Awards for Women Entrepreneurs held in 2022, an initiative by Financial Express and FICCI FLO. Also named the Women Entrepreneur of The Year at the Adgully Women Disruptors Awards in 2022, Pallavi created not just a youth hostel, but also a safe space for women travellers. Born and raised in Haridwar, Pallavi’s love for travel resulted in the inception of goSTOPS in 2014, when she launched the first hostel in Varanasi. Since then, there’s been no looking back for her. Today goSTOPS is present in 25+ cities across India.
Ena Kandhari
For Ena Kandhari, luxury is not just a statement, it is an experience and a story told through timeless pieces. And that’s exactly what she does through her fine jewellery brand, Ena J Singh. Through her brand, Ena blends age-old traditions with contemporary design and creates pieces that are classic yet unconventional. She also ensures that each piece of jewellery from her brand is a fusion of artistry and purpose. At Ena J Singh, sustainability and ethical practices are at the forefront, ensuring that beauty comes with responsibility. The brand sources its gemstones from conflict-free suppliers, uses recycled metals, and collaborates with local master artisans who are not only skilled but also work in safe and supportive environments.
Srijana Bagaria
If you are a woman in India, Pee Safe has surely changed your life, courtesy Srijana Bagaria’s tour de force. The co-founder of India’s leading personal hygiene brand, Ms Bagaria’s mission is to create a world where personal hygiene breaks taboos and fosters awareness. In a world where everyone talks about women empowerment, women’s hygiene and sanitation were overlooked for years, Bagaria advocates for open conversations around these fundamental issues to create awareness. She co-founded Pee Safe in 2017, a brand that instantly gained recognition for its category of toilet seat sanitiser sprays. The brand then expanded to an extensive range of daily hygiene products.
Ragini Mehra
With a vision to redefine the luxury salon experience in India, Ragini Mehra is the CEO of Silhouette Salon de Beauté, The Oberoi, New Delhi. Think salon experience, but with Ragini’s international hairstyling techniques and beauty experiences, it takes your salon to the next level. Her client-centric beauty solutions is what has helped her build a legacy over the years. Ragini’s role has been instrumental in bringing renowned global brands such as Kerastase, Moroccan Oil, K18, Olaplex, and Aveda into the Indian luxury salon market, thus making haircare and skincare scientifically advanced and results-driven, suited for Indian hair.
