Guide to better living
Unlock your potential
Start-ups are challenging. Take stock of these facts before jumping on the entrepreneurship bandwagon.
Sujaya Banerjee, CEO and Founder, Capstone People Consulting, Mumbai
According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, India scored an overall 41.7 points, ranking 49 among 54 economies globally with a much lower percentage of women entrepreneurs. India presents lower opportunities for women to assume leadership roles, to participate in the workforce or engage in entrepreneurial activities-a disparity that explains the low scores for business ownership by women in the country.
Yet, women entrepreneurs in India are steadily finding their niche across industries such as hospitality, catering, manufacturing, consulting, BPOs and creative fields such as design and media. They are striving and dealing with challenges such as technological know-how and cultural biases to navigate the markets and create space for their enterprise. It's not easy to make it in the start-up world as a woman but it's not impossible. With a great idea, the right mindset and a strong support system, any woman can be on her way to making her entrepreneurial dreams come true.
Find your mojo, follow it with passion
You are going to spend long hours working in and on your business, so pick an industry that you don't just like, but are passionate about. Passion makes the journey easier and energises you to influence and convert customers.
Illustration:Siddhant Jumde
Build your professional network
It is an important part of becoming a successful entrepreneur as it opens up new opportunities for your business and allows you to gain insight from those in the industry, other professionals, and entrepreneurs who are thriving. Becoming an effective networker is a learned skill and requires practice.
Explore funding opportunities
The financial technology industry, or fintech, has opened up a variety of opportunities for entrepreneurs. The advances in lending as a result of fintech have provided more funding options than ever for women business owners. In addition to special business loan opportunities just for women, female entrepreneurs are now able to apply for a business line of credit through convenient online application processes. Access these opportunities but read the clauses carefully.
Develop time management skills
Personal effectiveness combined with an exercise regimen can go a long way. Get energised and focused to manage your time well.
Attend industry events, keep updates
Connecting with others at an industry event allows you to gain knowledge about how to improve your products or services as well as the chance to see latest advancements in your industry. As a female entrepreneur, you can see how others are overcoming challenges and solving problems in your industry while also exposing new leads to your product and meeting others who are making big moves within your industry.
Stay inspired and motivated
As a woman entrepreneur, you need to keep looking for ideas that inspire you to keep moving ahead. A lack of experience can only be a weakness if you allow it to be one. If you have passion for your business idea, nothing can stop you from turning it into a successful venture.
Benefits beyond the mat
Payal Gidwani Tiwari, Yoga expert, Mumbai
From fertility to breast health to positive body image, five benefits of yoga to improve your health and well-being.
If you can control your mind, you can control everything. While the spiritual benefits of yoga are central to this ancient age-old tradition, the physical aspect is what draws most people to it. Practising yoga leads to clarity, good health and a happier, more peaceful mindset. It may be tempting to consider yoga as merely another exercise routine but its real healing benefits come from its integrated approach to working with the mind and body. Yoga is for anyone willing to unroll the yoga mat. Some aspects of yoga are beneficial for women and helps ease the stress that comes with the multitasking they do.
Boosts breast health
Yoga is beneficial in keeping breast tissue healthy. This is an an integral part of a woman's well-being. Backbends and twists increase circulation while deep breathing exercises such as kapalabhati and kumbhaka (retention) in pranayama enable oxygen to reach the lungs. this in turn boosts functioning of the immune system.
Improves reproductive health
A regular yoga routine improves female fertility and helps in reducing pain during menstruation. It also manages the hormonal system which when imbalanced could lead to polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOS) which causes irregular and excessive periods, facial hair and acne.
Helps in menopause and other hormonal disorders
Menopause causes temperature changes and hot flashes and a restorative yoga practice can help in taking care of these issues which are caused by hormonal changes. Doing yoga regularly also takes care of other side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and mood swings caused by frequent hormonal shifts.
Fights premature ageing
Yoga is a boon for ageing mind and body as asanas and pranayama require a lot of focus thereby improving cognitive functions of the brain.
Builds mental and emotional strength
Yoga provides a playground to experience our feelings and build emotional strength. To enhance emotional strength through yoga, it must be more than a physical exercise. It works wonders in regulating the breath and when we carry this stabilised breathing pattern off the mat, it works in building our tolerance, both mental and physical. Remember, yoga begins outside of your co
Start-ups are challenging. Take stock of these facts before jumping on the entrepreneurship bandwagon.
Yet, women entrepreneurs in India are steadily finding their niche across industries such as hospitality, catering, manufacturing, consulting, BPOs and creative fields such as design and media. They are striving and dealing with challenges such as technological know-how and cultural biases to navigate the markets and create space for their enterprise. It's not easy to make it in the start-up world as a woman but it's not impossible. With a great idea, the right mindset and a strong support system, any woman can be on her way to making her entrepreneurial dreams come true.
Find your mojo, follow it with passion
You are going to spend long hours working in and on your business, so pick an industry that you don't just like, but are passionate about. Passion makes the journey easier and energises you to influence and convert customers.
Illustration:Siddhant JumdeBuild your professional network
It is an important part of becoming a successful entrepreneur as it opens up new opportunities for your business and allows you to gain insight from those in the industry, other professionals, and entrepreneurs who are thriving. Becoming an effective networker is a learned skill and requires practice.
Explore funding opportunities
The financial technology industry, or fintech, has opened up a variety of opportunities for entrepreneurs. The advances in lending as a result of fintech have provided more funding options than ever for women business owners. In addition to special business loan opportunities just for women, female entrepreneurs are now able to apply for a business line of credit through convenient online application processes. Access these opportunities but read the clauses carefully.
Develop time management skills
Personal effectiveness combined with an exercise regimen can go a long way. Get energised and focused to manage your time well.
Attend industry events, keep updates
Connecting with others at an industry event allows you to gain knowledge about how to improve your products or services as well as the chance to see latest advancements in your industry. As a female entrepreneur, you can see how others are overcoming challenges and solving problems in your industry while also exposing new leads to your product and meeting others who are making big moves within your industry.
Stay inspired and motivated
As a woman entrepreneur, you need to keep looking for ideas that inspire you to keep moving ahead. A lack of experience can only be a weakness if you allow it to be one. If you have passion for your business idea, nothing can stop you from turning it into a successful venture.
Benefits beyond the mat
Payal Gidwani Tiwari, Yoga expert, Mumbai
From fertility to breast health to positive body image, five benefits of yoga to improve your health and well-being.
If you can control your mind, you can control everything. While the spiritual benefits of yoga are central to this ancient age-old tradition, the physical aspect is what draws most people to it. Practising yoga leads to clarity, good health and a happier, more peaceful mindset. It may be tempting to consider yoga as merely another exercise routine but its real healing benefits come from its integrated approach to working with the mind and body. Yoga is for anyone willing to unroll the yoga mat. Some aspects of yoga are beneficial for women and helps ease the stress that comes with the multitasking they do.
Boosts breast health
Yoga is beneficial in keeping breast tissue healthy. This is an an integral part of a woman's well-being. Backbends and twists increase circulation while deep breathing exercises such as kapalabhati and kumbhaka (retention) in pranayama enable oxygen to reach the lungs. this in turn boosts functioning of the immune system.
Improves reproductive health
A regular yoga routine improves female fertility and helps in reducing pain during menstruation. It also manages the hormonal system which when imbalanced could lead to polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOS) which causes irregular and excessive periods, facial hair and acne.
Helps in menopause and other hormonal disorders
Menopause causes temperature changes and hot flashes and a restorative yoga practice can help in taking care of these issues which are caused by hormonal changes. Doing yoga regularly also takes care of other side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and mood swings caused by frequent hormonal shifts.
Fights premature ageing
Yoga is a boon for ageing mind and body as asanas and pranayama require a lot of focus thereby improving cognitive functions of the brain.
Builds mental and emotional strength
Yoga provides a playground to experience our feelings and build emotional strength. To enhance emotional strength through yoga, it must be more than a physical exercise. It works wonders in regulating the breath and when we carry this stabilised breathing pattern off the mat, it works in building our tolerance, both mental and physical. Remember, yoga begins outside of your co
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