Give To Gain: Women Founders on Mentorship and Growth for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day tends to arrive each year with the same set of polished words: empowerment, ambition, resilience. But beyond the campaigns and curated conversations lies a quieter exchange that sustains real change. Growth, especially in business, is rarely self-made. It is enabled. It is shared. It is passed on.

In the spirit of “Give To Gain”, Local Samosa asked women entrepreneurs and industry leaders a simple but pointed question: What is one meaningful way you have invested in another woman’s growth, and how has that act of giving shaped your own journey as an entrepreneur?

What emerged were not grand declarations, but specific acts. Mentorship offered without announcement. Opportunities extended without obligation. Introductions made, risks absorbed, knowledge transferred. Together, their reflections underline something fundamental this women's day: giving is not a detour from ambition. It is often the very architecture of it.

Tanisha Jatia - Founder and Brand Lead, Urban Jungle

“Honestly, much of my journey so far has been about quietly building, often as the only woman in the room. That experience has reinforced one important lesson: visibility matters. As Urban Jungle continues to grow, I’m increasingly intentional about creating spaces where women are not just present, but truly heard and valued. For me, “giving to gain” isn’t something rooted in the past; it’s an ongoing commitment. The more women build openly, share both successes and challenges, and actively support one another, the more we make the path smoother for those who come next.”

Priyanka Jain - Co-founder and Director, Praskuk Jain Hospitality Pvt Ltd.

“As a female business owner and Marketing Director, implementing the "Give to Gain" philosophy means shifting from a "What can I get?" mindset to a "How can I help?" approach to build long-term, trust-based relationships. In a competitive, often male-dominated industry, this philosophy transforms your professional interactions from transactional to relational. By giving your time, insights, and support first, you build a reputation as a trustworthy leader. This leads to a strong, loyal network that is eager to return the favor, ultimately resulting in better brand reputation, and sustainable business growth. Instead of just collecting contacts, offer your expertise, referrals, or resources first. Being a "connector" who helps others solve problems builds a reputation as an indispensable resource. Be open about your aspirations and encourage your team to do the same. Use your platform to give visibility to other women's achievements.”

Aditi Handa - Head Chef & Co-Founder, The Baker's Dozen

“In the spirit of ‘Give To Gain’, one of the most meaningful choices I’ve made has been to open our factory doors in Kheda to women from the local community, many of whom had never baked before. We teach them everything from scratch, how to understand dough, how to nurture sourdough, how to shape and bake each loaf with care. Watching them grow in confidence and skill, especially when they perfect something as nuanced as bread, has been incredibly moving. Their journeys remind me every day that when women rise together, businesses grow with a deeper heart and purpose.”

Stuti Gupta - Co-founder, Amrutam

“In the spirit of Give to Gain, mentoring women founders is something I hold close to my heart. At the start of their journeys, before the world believes in them, they carry both doubt and fire. I support them through strategy, scale, and sometimes simply through the overwhelm. When possible, I also open doors for them. Offering pilot opportunities with Amrutam so they can learn by doing. Watching their confidence rise is deeply moving. In helping them grow, I grow too. This is how belief compounds - quietly, collectively, and with intention.”

Deepthi Nair - Co-founder, Happy Monk

“One of the most intentional choices I’ve made as a founder is to work with and hire women-led PR, Packaging Design, Website Development and Social Media Marketing agencies. I’ve seen firsthand how access and trust can accelerate someone’s growth. Watching these women bring such sharp thinking, sensitivity, and ownership to the brand has deeply shaped how Happy Monk has evolved. In giving them that opportunity, I’ve gained partners who care as deeply as I do. It reinforced my belief that when women back each other, we don’t just grow individually, we build stronger businesses together.”

Arushi Verma - Co-founder, FitPass

“One meaningful way I’ve invested in other women’s growth is by giving them ownership early, real decision-making power, while also normalising ambition and prioritising overall wellbeing. Whether it’s backing a first campaign, encouraging someone to negotiate their worth, or pushing women to treat fitness as non-negotiable, I’ve tried to replace hesitation with belief. Strength, to me, is both economic and physical. That act of giving has shaped me too. It’s reinforced that when women feel strong in their bodies and confident in their value, they lead better, negotiate better, and build more resilient ecosystems around them.”

Isha Mahabal - Co-founder, The Curl Co.

“When a woman sits in my chair, it’s rarely just about hair. As a hairdresser, I’ve listened to stories of motherhood, heartbreak, illness, resilience and rebuilding. I’ve worked with women battling cancer, overcoming abuse, or carrying unseen struggles. In those moments, hair becomes more than appearance; it becomes restoration. Helping women feel seen and valued is a responsibility I deeply honour. Growing up, I saw straight hair celebrated while textured hair was “corrected.” That messaging deeply affected confidence. It shaped the founder I became -building a brand focused not just on products, but on education, safe spaces and true representation for textured hair.”

Natasha Hemani - Brand Director, Blondie

“One of the most meaningful ways I’ve invested in another woman’s growth has been by giving my women baristas the freedom to experiment. Instead of only training them to follow recipes, I encourage them to develop drinks, test ideas, and trust their own palate. Watching them shift from executing to creating has been powerful. That act of giving has shaped my own journey by teaching me to let go of control, listen more closely, and build a business where confidence grows alongside skill, not just output.”

Swagatika Das - CEO & Co-Founder, Nat Habit

“Across our kitchen and manufacturing units, we have consciously worked towards building an environment rooted in equal opportunity — where women participate across critical functions such as packaging, labelling, inventory coordination, and raw material management. Each of these roles is vital to the larger ecosystem and deserves equal respect and visibility. By investing in structured training, skill development, and greater ownership, we aim to ensure that growth is defined by capability and commitment. Seeing team members take on expanded responsibilities and build confidence in their craft reinforces my belief that inclusive workplaces are not just equitable — they are stronger, more resilient, and future-ready.”

Nikki Thakker - Founder, Entisi Chocolatier

“One of the most meaningful investments I made was in a young woman who worked in my home as domestic help. I saw her discipline and quiet capability early on. When I started Entisi, she became the very first member of our team. We trained her under professional chefs, and she learned hands-on in the factory. 9 years later, she leads the production of our center filled chocolates, managing her own team. Watching her grow through marriage, motherhood, and leadership has reminded me that when you believe in someone early, you don’t just change their path, you realise that building a brand also means building people.”

Drishti Madnani - Co-Founder & Beauty Expert, Shryoan Cosmetics

“One of the ways that I have been able to invest in the growth of another woman is through mentoring young women from small towns who have dreams of building a career in beauty but do not have the opportunities and resources to do so. At Shryoan Cosmetics, we have made it a point to give them not only the opportunities in terms of skills but also in terms of confidence. Watching them find their voice and independence has been very rewarding for me. This experience of giving back has shaped my journey, as it reminds me that leadership is not about building a brand by yourself but about building space for other women to rise alongside you.”

Neha Chowdhury - Director Of Sales & Marketing, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport

“Growth feels most meaningful when you’re able to open doors for someone else along the way. Being part of Project Pranita has allowed me to actively support young women by helping ensure they have access to the right opportunities, guidance, and exposure to the world of hospitality. Watching their confidence grow — from learning in the classroom to finding their footing at work — has been incredibly rewarding. For me, giving has meant being present and invested, and it has shaped my journey by reminding me that leadership is not just about outcomes, but about the people you uplift along the way. This Women’s Day, that spirit of shared progress feels especially powerful.”

Arthi Ramalingam - Founder & CEO, Eternz

“One meaningful way I’ve invested in another woman’s growth is through our work with women-led jewelry brands and within my own team. At Eternz, we actively partner with emerging women founders to help them access markets and scale, while also building a workplace where women are encouraged to take ownership, lead projects, and grow with confidence. Watching them evolve into strong leaders has been deeply rewarding. It has shaped my journey by reinforcing that entrepreneurship thrives on shared success, when we actively uplift other women, we build more resilient businesses and a stronger ecosystem together.”

Eesha Sukhi - Founder, The Bluebop Cafe

“Before becoming an entrepreneur, I spent several years in the corporate world, where I had the opportunity to work closely with many talented women in my team. One meaningful way I’ve lived the spirit of “Give To Gain” by mentoring and supporting them and encouraging them to speak up, take ownership, and believe in their capabilities. Seeing them grow in confidence and progress in their careers has been deeply fulfilling. This journey has shaped me as an entrepreneur by reinforcing that true success lies not just in building a business, but in uplifting others along the way.”

Tejasvi Madan - Founder, BeyondBound

“One meaningful way I’ve invested in another woman’s growth is by intentionally creating space whether through hiring, casting, or collaborating for women who are often underrepresented in fitness and fashion. From plus-size models to pregnant women and first-time creators, I’ve prioritized opportunity over perfection. By mentoring them through shoots, content, and confidence-building conversations, I’ve seen them step into their power. In giving them visibility and belief, I strengthened my own clarity as a founder that BeyondBound isn’t just about activewear, it’s about building ecosystems where women rise together.”

Rutvika Charegaonkar - Co-founder, The Curl Co.

“I’ve been mentoring a young girl, Gauri, through Mentor Me India since she was 10. Today, at 22, she works at a bank. Coming from a financially underprivileged background, whenever I asked what she wanted as a gift, it was always something small that enhanced her or her mother’s beauty - a hair clip, a lipstick. It made me realise that regardless of circumstance, the desire to feel beautiful is universal. That insight became one of the inspirations behind The Curl Co. For too long, curly and wavy hair has been labelled frizzy or “unmanageable”. Through our products, we’re changing that narrative - one girl at a time.”

Simran Lalwani - Founder and Creative Director, OSTILOS

"Some meetings are accidental, but never meaningless." I once crossed paths with a woman under the most unplanned circumstances — a shared space, a stranger's story, and a dream that fashion had almost taken away from her. She had chased her passion to Paris, fought hard, and returned with silence where hope once lived. I saw myself in her struggle. So I opened the door. Watching her reclaim her place in this industry reshaped me entirely. The bond we built was organic, honest, and profoundly mutual. I thought I was giving — turns out, I was also receiving. That experience taught me that the most transformative investments you make as an entrepreneur are rarely financial. Sometimes, they're simply human."

Ajeeta Bharadwaj - Chief Strategy Officer, Wondrlab

“Sometimes it is the small everyday things that make a big difference. One of my past agencies was a boys club. Especially for women just starting their career, it could become quite hard to get heard. In meetings, they would get interrupted, their ideas would get repeated by the next man and attributed to him. So, I started this very simple thing, in every brainstorming, when a woman got interrupted, whether or not she was from my team, I would give her a second opening by saying “Haa, so XYZ, what were you saying?” I still do that sometimes. And I have always found myself surrounded by confident, empowered women who create brave, original thinking that shapes both their journeys and mine.”

Malvika Mulchandani - Founder, Apero

“I don’t know how many young women I’ve shaped, but I know many have shaped me. One is Shubhangi, who joined me when I left my fashion job to open my first store. It was just the two of us, learning everything together, from client fittings to new creative skills. She became someone I relied on completely. Today, she is a successful drapist, travelling the world for work. When she told me, “Didi, I’m going to Bali,” it felt like a shared victory. If I shaped her, she shaped me too.”

Gita Ramanan - CEO & Co-founder, DesignCafe

“A meaningful way I’ve invested in another woman’s growth is by shaping policies at DesignCafe that help women stay and build long-term careers. I’ve been privileged that my own career wasn’t derailed by the “3 Ms”: Marriage, Motherhood, Migration, but many women don’t have that choice. We support everyone, including men, yet we’re intentional about telling women these options exist because they often feel more pressure and ask less. We instituted flexible schedules, WFH, maternity return conversations, caregiver time-off, sabbaticals, inter-city transfers, and an open door for returnees early on, because the most scalable support is the kind built into the system. Careers should not collapse at life’s crossroads.”