Ghazal Alagh Shares Startup Lessons at FLO Hyderabad Event

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Thursday, 6 August 2026

The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad Chapter organised "From Idea to IPO – Building Beyond Boundaries" moderated by Dr. Suman Rangabhashyam, to inspire and support women entrepreneurs through insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and business growth. Addressing the program, Ghazal Alagh, Founder of Mamaearth, shared practical lessons from her entrepreneurial journey and encouraged women founders to build sustainable businesses.

Ghazal recollected her entrepreneurial journey and said, "The concept of my business came from my first-time motherhood experience”.

"When you buy a washing machine, it comes with an instruction manual. But when you become a parent, no one hands you a manual," she said, explaining that motherhood inspired her entrepreneurial journey.

She also shared stories of interacting with customers while cuddling her baby in her arms during the initial stages of establishment of the business, reflecting the resilience and determination that women entrepreneurs often have to muster.

Though not from an FMCG background, Ghazal said that she and her co-founder had developed the business from the ground. It’s been quite a difficult but very rewarding experience.

Key Highlights

• Ghazal Alagh inspired women entrepreneurs to build businesses with long-term impact
• She advised founders to raise funds only when their business truly needs investment
• She encouraged women to trust their instincts and solve real customer problems

Regarding the factors that are essential to entrepreneurial success, Ghazal said the first step is always finding a good market opportunity, rather than just a good product.

“It's not just about having a good product, it's about finding the right category, solving a problem for a consumer and being consistent," she commented.

For fundraising, she said women business owners should raise funds only when it is really needed and to concentrate on laying strong business foundations.

"Raise funds only when your business truly needs them. Investors look beyond the idea—they want evidence that the business can scale sustainably," she said.

Ghazal stated that the market segment, business model, financials and, most importantly, founders' credibility are all factors that she considers when evaluating startups as an investor.

To tackle issues that women entrepreneurs often encounter when seeking investments, she noted that the startup ecosystem has become more inclusive.

Speaking about the difficulties sometimes faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing investments, she said that the startup ecosystem is becoming more inclusive, AIR now provides funds to more women entrepreneurs. Things are changing right now, and many more women are creating viable businesses; so many that the questions I feel uncomfortable with are very few these days. Just listen to all of the advice that is offered, but at the end of the day, follow your instincts and listen to your gut.

Speaking about her time as a judge on Shark Tank India, Ghazal said, "It can be much harder to deal with the board of any company, compared to dealing with the Sharks.

Seetha Reddy, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad, welcomed the gathering and shared that entrepreneurship is a path of resilience and innovation. Empowerment is a process, it starts with an idea, progresses with determination and comes to change," she said.

Seetha also shared that FLO Hyderabad has received 1000 sq yards of land close to Shilparamam for its chapter office and at Bharat Future Park, one acre of land which is considered a great achievement for the organisation. In addition, the event included a Handloom Pavilion, acknowledging and promoting the textile heritage of India, as well as helping to support the livelihoods of the handloom weavers.

The session ended with Ghazal urging women entrepreneurs to have faith in their instincts and address the real consumer challenges; take their business decisions with financial discipline; and create businesses with sustainable growth, long-term impact and lasting value.