Pinky Reddy On Becoming An 'Accidental Influencer' & More On DWA'24

Pinky Reddy, a dynamic entrepreneur and philanthropist, shared her inspiring journey at the Digital Women Awards 2024, in a panel discussion moderated by Kanika Tekriwal, the founder of JetSetGo. The panel was shared with Anam Mirza, founder of The Label Bazaar. The session focused on building brands, sustaining businesses, and scaling them amidst challenges. Pinky’s candid and wholesome advice about her life and career offered practical wisdom, especially for aspiring women entrepreneurs.

The Start of an Entrepreneurial Journey

Raised in a politically and entrepreneurially prominent family, Pinky Reddy’s upbringing was rooted in comfort and security. However, despite her father’s and husband’s initial reservations about her working, her intrinsic drive led her toward a path of purpose.

"... my father would say, 'You girls don't need to work; you just have to enjoy life.' That is the upbringing I had. After that, my husband was like, 'I just want to have a good partner. I don't want you to be stressing. And when you come home with work, you'd be stressing and then making me stress.' So, both of them never kind of encouraged or supported me to do any work. I literally grew up with my kids, and then suddenly, I just said, 'Okay, what makes me interested? What makes me feel like who I really am?' That was doing a lot of philanthropy work. That was the start of my life." she shared.

Her journey as an entrepreneur began unexpectedly. When her husband became involved in the Mumbai airport project, she ventured into the creative bizz, aiming to support rural artisans struggling for recognition. Renting a store in the airport, she launched Lotus House, a gift store showcasing products crafted by artisans from across India.

“So I had no idea how to start a business, but I did,” she remarked.

Pioneering New Frontiers in Business

As Pinky evolved in her career, her passion for uplifting local talent only grew stronger. She founded Local, a brand that celebrated India’s diverse culinary and artisanal heritage. Later, alongside her husband, she is now into cutting-edge ventures, including artificial intelligence and real estate, proving her foresight and vision. 

 “I’ve always loved supporting people, whether it’s artisans or businesses, and now, I just have a name for it—‘influencer,’” she said humorously.

Navigating Challenges with Positivity

For Pinky, challenges are an inevitable part of life, but her approach to overcoming them is what sets her apart. 

‘’I think I am a very positive-minded person and I don't get stressed. I don't get hassled. I just learned to be calm. I said, you know whatever has to happen will happen. There's no point stressing and freaking out,” she emphasised. Drawing from her experiences, she highlighted the importance of mental resilience. 

"I think when people say, oh, how do you manage this? And I keep thinking, are they mad? What's a big deal? It's so simple. Why can't some people make such a big deal about a stupid thing like, oh, I have to manage my kitchen? How dumb are they? How can they what is the big deal of managing your kitchen? " she added.

The Accidental Influencer

Despite her success, Pinky remains grounded and authentic. Known for managing her own social media, she built a significant following organically, showcasing her unfiltered journey. “My Instagram isn’t curated; it’s very ‘chalta hai’ types,” she joked, embodying her down-to-earth attitude. Her authenticity resonates deeply with her audience, making her a trusted figure and a natural influencer. 

Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs

From her philanthropic beginnings to her success in diverse industries, Pinky exemplifies how passion and purpose can pave the way for success. Her advice for women striving to balance life and work is simple yet profound. Pinky Reddy’s journey is more than a business narrative—it’s almost a celebration of the unyielding spirit of women. Her story continues to inspire and pave the way for aspiring entrepreneurs to dream big and persevere.