Women Founders Share their Inspiration behind Taking the Entrepreneurial Plunge

By: WE Staff

Shalu Jha, Co-Founder & CEO, PRandit

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?

Ever since childhood, I understood the power of information and storytelling in changing the world. Working in the corporate sector, I realized there was a gap in how many brands struggle to tell engaging stories. That led me to launch a PR agency to help those whose stories are not often heard. The desire to help businesses tell their untold story and fill this gap became my passion. Starting up is great, but having an opportunity to create a platform that empowers the people with less visibility, building their trust in the industry, and providing them with the tools to share their dreams with the world and in turn fostering their growth is even better.

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?

In the contemporary Indian startup ecosystem, there is an overemphasis on securing funds and delivering returns to investors. This overshadows the true meaning of entrepreneurship. Businesses should focus on long-term success with revenue generation, customer retention, and achieving financial stability. A balanced ecosystem with funding considered just a means to scaling the startup would help the Indian startup sector go a long way. Also, there is a pressing need to have more women at the decision-making positions and executive levels within startups, incubators, and venture funds. Equal representation can bring policies for women entrepreneurs and a better understanding of their problems.