In honor of International Women’s Day, we want to share pieces of advice from some of our female entrepreneurs and clients. Their stories and journeys are incredibly inspiring, and we are so thankful to have them in our network!

Shreya Aggarwal, Caftari

Facing hurdles is an inevitable part of the startup journey, but it is important to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Creating the product itself was very challenging because we had a lot of restrictions. We needed it to be clean, sustainable, and long lasting. We needed it to evoke specific neurotransmitters in the brain, but we did not want the scent to be so overpowering. On the way we also had a lot of supply chain and logistical hurdles forcing us to delay our launch several times.

Upasna Kakroo, Peer Bagh

Women leaders prioritize community development, social responsibility, and tend to work toward more sustainable growth. As per McKinsey's recent women in workplace report, women of color (all ethnicities) represent only 6% of CXO roles. There is a lot of room for us to grow and change these statistics. We inspire our lives but also little young girls and boys who deserve all the opportunities they can dream of. It surely helps when they see the possibilities through moms, sisters, and women around them.

Tanya Rao, Kaveri Coffee Works

South Asian women are the powerhouses of today's economy. Women comprise more than 50% of the population and South Asians are the fastest growing group of Asian Americans. It is essential that their values are reflected and their needs met in the field of business and politics. Businesses run by and for South Asian women are key to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Radha Patel, Single to Shaadi

It's important for me to see South Asian women represented in business bases because it's all part of the progress we are making as a community to reexamine gender roles and their necessity versus blind cultural perpetuation. By being a woman in business I'm serving as a role model to my daughter while also forcing my peer group to have conversations stretching their views on what it means to be successful as an Indian woman outside of the family and home. By serving as the change I wish to see in the world I hope to normalize the concept of South Asian women in business and educating those behind me who wish to follow on a similar path.

Lakshmi Sarkar, Laksh Sarkar Creations

It takes time and patience to build this journey - brick by brick , step by step. The path is not always linear, the road is windy and the destination isn't always what you set out for. Be open to new opportunities . Starting a business means working long hours - so be mindful of your health . Be kind to yourself. It is for the long haul , so pacing the journey is important. Value personal and professional relationships. Be humble. It's a learning experience and one that cannot be done all alone. Every once in a while , look back at your achievements and move forward with the valuable lessons learnt .

Reena Mathur, Reemat Designs

Growing up in the eighties in India, one’s career choices were set early. If you were academically bright, you either became a doctor or an engineer. Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.

Rajinder Rai, Sunrais Health

Start with a clear purpose and remain adaptable. Understand your audience deeply and build your business around solving real problems. Networking and continuous learning are vital. Most importantly, believe in your vision and stay resilient through the ups and downs.

Meha Bhargava, STYL Inc.

The whole fact that I started my own venture was a hurdle in itself. My job profile was very different from what my family or peers understood. So no one necessarily had the knowledge of how or where to start. My 12 year journey is still a learning curve where every day is a new experience new discovery and I can proudly say I am still work in progress Styl. Inc is still work in progress.

Sonya Malani Panchal, Scrumptious Wicks

As a business owner, I am faced with hurdles pretty much everyday — some hurdles are just astronomically larger than others. In the face of adversity, I find solace in going back to the “why.” Why did I start this company and what problem am I trying to solve? If my efforts to combat this problem are truly in line with my “why,” then I know I just have to put my head down and power through. If they’re not in line, then I know I have to pivot. It’s as simple as that.