Digital has truly given women the power to innovate and do what they always wanted to. In the run-up to the Digital Women Awards, we were at the Facebook Studio in Delhi to discuss how the internet is fuelling women entrepreneurship in the country. Shaili Chopra, Founder of SheThePeople.TV was in conversation with Ihitashri Shandilya of MITHILAsmita, Pinky Maheshwari of Surprise Someone, Sakshi Talwar of Rugs and Beyond to talk about funding, scaling up, growth hacks and more.
Women entrepreneurs and their journeys
Ihitashri Shandilya started 'MITHILAsmita', which focuses on women artisans, using the power of marketing, technology and strategic partnerships to bring sustainability to the rural artisan sector.
"I wanted to train the rural women on how to create paper and make them self-reliant. They are getting empowered," Pinky Maheshwari shares her journey about Surprise Someone.
Sakshi Talwar started Rugs and Beyond with the sole aim to provide a platform to local weavers and craftsmen to sell their “one of a kind” carpets to a global clientele.
The countdown to the #DigitalWomenAwards has begun!
— SheThePeople (@SheThePeopleTV) November 9, 2018
We are live at FB Studio with @Ihitashri,@SakshiTalwar27, Pinky Maheshwari of @surprisesome1 discussing about their startups & their entrepreneurial journeys.
Watch the fb live here:https://t.co/J8FDbGFgGY pic.twitter.com/JKtXirP5Ak
Also: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Benefit From Collaborations
Problems young women entrepreneurs face
Sakshi Talwar believes that a lot of young women have the potential to start-up but they shy away from starting up due to reasons like lack of confidence, working capital and lack of tech support.
Young women shy away from starting up due to reasons like lack of confidence, working capital and lack of tech support - @SakshiTalwar27#DigitalWomenAwards https://t.co/J8FDbGFgGY pic.twitter.com/fAGPHPfJtT
— SheThePeople (@SheThePeopleTV) November 9, 2018
Using social media to leverage business and promote women entrepreneurship
Ihitashri says that as an entrepreneur, she makes great use of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. She says that these platforms really work for her.
Pinky Maheshwari says, "I am a part of various Facebook groups that promote women entrepreneurship. I love catching up with women entrepreneurs and discussing their journeys."
Growth hacks from @SakshiTalwar27 of @RugsandBeyond - Keep learning. Education never stops. Exposure. Never think you know enough. Learn the ropes of the game yourself. #DigitalWomenAwards
— SheThePeople (@SheThePeopleTV) November 9, 2018
Watch our fb live here: https://t.co/J8FDbGFgGY pic.twitter.com/jubdYbOsVg
Growth hacks for women entrepreneurs
Sakshi Talwar shared three growth hacks for budding women entrepreneurs. She says, "Firstly, we must keep learning because education never stops. Secondly, get exposure. Never think you know enough. Learn the ropes of the game yourself. Thirdly, trust yourself and your instincts.
Pinky Maheshwari, urged young women to be different.
All three women, however, highlighted the power of digital they have been harnessing to expand their businesses.