Leaders

As a second-generation entrepreneur, M.R. Jyothy brings over 14 years of deep operational and brand-building expertise. Currently serving as the Managing Director of Jyothy Labs, she is committed to driving continuous innovation as a cornerstone of the company’s growth. Her leadership focuses on fostering innovation, strengthening sales and distribution, and embedding strong values at the heart of the business.

Take us through the formative years of your life and highlight the key influences that shaped your life’s trajectory.

I was fortunate to grow up in a home where gender equality was deeply valued. My father always encouraged me and instilled in me the belief that men and women have equal potential. His faith in my abilities gave me the confidence to aim higher and believe in myself.

My entry into business was initially very personal. At the time, it wasn’t about ambition, it was simply about supporting him. That sense of responsibility and emotional bond gradually deepened into active involvement, shaping my career path. My father’s constant guidance, encouragement, and the strong emotional connect we shared remain the biggest influences on my journey.

Introduce us to Jyothy Labs and its journey in the Indian consumer products sector so far.

Jyothy Labs was founded in 1983 by my father, M.P. Ramachandran, now our Chairman Emeritus. With a deep understanding of consumer needs, he launched Ujala Supreme, our flagship fabric whitener, at a time when available products were ineffective and difficult to use. His innovation addressed a long-standing consumer pain point and became the foundation of the company’s success.

Ujala Supreme revolutionized fabric care in India and made Jyothy Labs a trusted household name. From being a single-brand company, we expanded with the launch of Maxo mosquito repellent coils and Exo dishwashing bars, gradually building a multi-brand portfolio that continues to grow.

Tell us about your professional journey before taking the helm at Jyothy Labs.

I joined Jyothy Labs in 2005–06 as a marketing train­ee, eager to learn and contribute. Initially, I observed business discussions closely while working behind the scenes. In 2007, I was given the responsibility of handling Exo dishwashing bar marketing, with the clear message that success here would pave the way for future responsibilities.

The turnaround of Exo was a defining moment, it validated my approach and established a new category that is now mainstream. Over time, I drove growth across multiple brands, and our 2011 acquisition of Henkel India significantly expanded our portfolio.

What key roles and responsibilities do you shoulder in your role as the Managing Director of Jyothy Labs?

As Managing Director, my role spans from setting the company’s vision to ensuring operational alignment across the organization. My foremost responsibility is to safeguard the interests of our stakeholders and employees. This means staying actively involved in daily operations while also charting new avenues of growth and ensuring strong returns.

Maintaining financial strength and stability is at the core of what I do. Today, Jyothy Labs is in a robust position, and we are focusing on launching new offerings while also exploring strategic opportunities for expansion.

What are some challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur in the Indian consumer product space? How do you navigate through these roadblocks?

Challenges are an integral part of business, whether it’s market volatility, evolving consumer behaviour, or competitive dynamics. What matters is how one responds. A calm mind, clear vision, and a high-performing team make all the difference.

For me, leadership is about staying composed, making informed decisions, and providing clarity and motivation to the team. Facing issues directly, maintaining confidence, and keeping the team energized and aligned with company goals are what ultimately drive results.

As the consumer product landscape evolves, how do you drive growth for Jyothy Labs?

We operate across four key categories and have witnessed significant shifts in both retail and media consumption. e-Commerce has become increasingly important, while digital media has transformed how consumers engage with brands. These changes have reshaped buying behaviour and expectations.

Our strategy is straightforward: be present where the consumer is and deliver what they need in the most relevant way. This could mean innovative packaging, new formats, or seamless accessibility. Staying agile in our channel strategy has enabled us to sustain and accelerate growth.

Looking back which professional milestones standout for you?

I was appointed Managing Director in May 2019 to formally assume the role from April 1, 2020. Unfortunately, this transition coincided with the onset of the pandemic, making it an especially challenging milestone. Instead of being discouraged, we focused on performance and ensured that not a single quarter showed degrowth. Jyothy Labs was among the very few companies that delivered consistent, positive growth through that period.

The journey since then has been extremely rewarding. Despite challenges, our team stood resilient, driven by a deep understanding of the market, consumer needs, and an unwavering commitment to deliver. Our market capitalization grew from around ₹5,000 crore to nearly ₹20,000 crore at its peak, an outcome of our collective effort and belief in our strategy.