Aditi Handa, Co-Founder & Head Chef of The Baker's Dozen
Entrepreneurship is a dream for many, but few possess the necessary skills and gumption to make it a reality. What inspired you to pursue your entrepreneurial dream?
The first thought that comes to mind is my father. Growing up, I was surrounded by entrepreneurship—on both sides of my family. I watched my dad build his business and motivate others to do the same. It’s always been in my blood, and I honestly can’t imagine a life without building something of my own. My dad has been my biggest strength, my constant motivator, and my ultimate role model. Everything I am today, both personally and professionally, is because of him—he’s the reason I’m on this journey. He’s always been there, encouraging me to strive for more and keep evolving.
The Indian startup ecosystem is thriving, but perfection is still a work in progress. What is one change you would suggest in the immediate future?
The last few years have been great for women entrepreneurs in India. There’s so much more support now—whether it’s funding, services, or access to education and programs designed specifically for women-led businesses. But I think there's still a crucial aspect we need to focus on understanding that women entrepreneurs often balance running a business with managing a family. Whether it's caring for parents, children, or spouses, that reality needs to be acknowledged. What I believe we need to work on is creating business models and ecosystems that allow women to succeed even if they can’t dedicate full-time hours. Can we develop roles or structures that let women continue building their businesses in a meaningful way, even if they’re only working part-time? This is such an important challenge, especially when women face the tough choice of leaving their careers after childbirth, only to find that when they return, there are fewer opportunities for them to get back into the game. We need to start focusing on creating roles that allow women to thrive both as entrepreneurs and as individuals managing multiple aspects of their lives. These businesses may or may not be huge, but they will empower women to find their strength and independence.
