From doing household chores to managing their office, from doing dishes to holding a meeting, from fighting patriarchy to shining bright like a diamond, there is nothing that women cannot do in this era.
Gone are the days when women had to conform to the rules of hegemonic schemes because the time rise and shine are here, the time to voice one’s opinion is here, and thanks to many waves of feminism and the struggle of many sisters around the world, the movement focusing on the empowerment of women have taken place globally.
According to the Census of India, “In terms of proportion, 68.4 per cent of the workers are males and 31.6 per cent, females.”
The declining entry rate and the increasing exit rate exists due to the growing sexism in the industry. However, these ‘Others’ have taken the matter into their own hands and started a niche to make their path.
As Simone De Beauvoir said in her book, “The Second Sex”, “Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.”
Similarly, few resisted the patriarchal thought process, challenged heteronormativity, opposed the hegemonic conditions to become women entrepreneurs to show that they are here, that they are here to rule.
Women Entrepreneurs Taking A Step Towards Achievement
This international women’s day, we will celebrate the success of some leading women entrepreneurs in India that have left an indigenous mark in the industry utilising their expertise, knowledge, and proficiency in the field to showcase that they are nothing less because all it takes is a fiery will, determination, perseverance, and staunch resolve to make it in the “human-made” world.
Sunita Joshi
Male entrepreneurs predominantly run the logistics sector. Nonetheless, an opening has been created by women’s talents and abilities in the industry who have slowly started pouring into the sector. One of those women who have secured her origination of success in logistics is Sunita Joshi.
Being only 50 years old, Ms Joshi started her enterprise called Logismith in Chandigarh in 2016. The difficulties she faced during the launch of her career helped her to understand her powers.
“After separating from my husband, I started the business primarily to ensure my daughter’s well-being and secure her future.”
It was her daughter who provided her with the energy that was needed to keep going. Her daughter’s motivation, coupled with the knowledge she garnered while operating a logistic company with her husband, gave her the nudge she needed to change the world.
After being told by many that she would not survive in the male-run industry, such as logistics, just because she was a woman, she kept her faith intact in her work and abilities.
“When my husband and I were together, we had started a logistics company, which gave me some exposure. I thought it best to use my knowledge and skills and enter the industry on my own.”
From receiving psychological support to receiving monetary aids from her family and friends, she got the capital she needed to embark on a journey that would lead to her success. Now her creation, Logismith, is a third-party logistics service provider.
It supports last-mile operations for companies like Amazon India and BlueDart. From six men working under her in three areas, her company serves over 30 up-countries having more than 120 delivery executives.
Dolly Kumar
After the completion of her bachelor of technology in cosmetic engineering from Nagpur university in 1993, Ms Dolly Kumar amassed the experience she needed by working in different companies, including Colorbar Cosmetics. After realising the potential of health supplements, she launched her line by incorporating her experience in the cosmetic industry and her nutritional experts’ advice.
“Around 12 years ago, we noticed that a large section of Indians was actively becoming health-conscious – a trend that had already been prevalent in developed economies for some time.”
By recognising the market gap in the industry, she has expanded her business by leaving her initiative’s footprint in more than 25,000 retail outlets and over 600 modern trade outlets. Not only that, but the product also sells at e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Paytm Mall, Flipkart, Big Basket, Jio Mart, Health Kart, and Net Meds.
Dipali Mathur
Deodorant plays a role in our lives as it is responsible for creating memories, tantalising the senses, and impacting people’s psyche. Understanding the huge gap between teenagers and adolescents’ demand and the absence of supply for the deo, Mrs Mathur started her deodorant line suited for teenagers and adolescents. The deo is an age-suitable, toxin-free product for adolescents.
“While understanding the needs of my own daughter, I found that there was no brand catering to this age group. I was already running a business and decided to research this segment.”
In 2018, Dipali Mathur, collaborating with her friend Milan Sharma, launched Super Smelly in New Delhi, which has around 18 SKUs across deodorants, face washes, face masks, hand rubs, lip balms, moisturisers, and more.