"WE (Women Entrepreneurs’ wing) does not just stand for women entrepreneurs but also for women empowerment,” according to Homai Mehta, chairperson of WE, a wing of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC). She was making introductory remarks at a session on "The joys and pangs of running your own business,” hosted by WE on October 1, 2016 at Yiamas. "Women professionals are as welcome as entrepreneurs to join... as opportunities for networking, mentorship and professional development were open to both,” she continued, according to a report prepared by Villie Daruvala, vice chairperson of WE. The meet was attended by 40 members and their guests.
The first speaker of the evening, Naazneen Katrak, managing director and founder of Mustang Socks established by her in 1987, noted that her company produces a million pairs of socks for toddlers, children and adults each month and distributes its products online and through 36 distributors, pan-India. Starting the business with Rs 1,000, of which half was borrowed from her aunt, "all she had was her belief in herself,” states the write up. The company has tie-ups with international brands, retailers and e-tailers like Amazon, FirstCry and Hopscotch. Fifty percent of the workforce at Mustang is comprised of women. The website of the company details the other products of the company: innerwear for children, and ‘health socks’ which she clarifies are for diabetics.
1st row (from left): Aspi Antia, Adi Siganporia, Phil Kharas and Edul Daver;
a view of the audience 2nd row: From left: Behroze Daruwala, Percis Dubash,
Homai Mehta, Capt Percy Master, Nainaz Shroff, Dolly Dhamodiwalla,
Naazneen Katrak, Villie Daruvala, Veera Mundroina, Zarine Khan;
Photos: Jasmine D. Driver
Katrak was recognized as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 (see "Recognition for Mustang,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, March 21, 2015) with the Golden Maharashtra MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Award for Women. Communicating with Parsiana after the WE event, she attributes the success of her venture to "a long term vision of a goal and honest dedication towards achieving it, by every member of our ecosystem.” In the last three decades "we have (focussed) on two aspects: to provide quality socks and elevate the mindset of consumers towards socks as not just a commodity, but a fashion statement.” The entrepreneur clarifies that the intent of the company has been consistent: to provide superior quality socks for the masses; she believes that the arrival of new entrants into the business has not deterred the overall vision for the brand.
Nainaz Shroff, the second speaker of the evening, was introduced as a "pioneer, innovator and creator of the first wines in the world to be enjoyed with hot and spicy Indian foods.” Retailing as Taylor and Shroff Wines, the company’s tag line states: "Best served poured on ice.” The company’s winery is situated near Hastings on the English south coast and they make "rich English fruit wines,” their website notes.
The entrepreneur traced her journey as a young student on scholarship in the UK to her current status as managing director of the company, explaining how she converted a college project into a business that has "won well over 130 awards and medals since our vineyard was founded,” according to their website.
Shroff believes that it is important for every professional to "believe against all odds that she is on the right track for achieving her goals.” In communication with Parsiana, the young entrepreneur states that a woman of today needs to have "zero tolerance to unethical trade or conduct and must be a quick responder (who can put up a) fight to incorrect activities.” Explaining the details of a chance encounter with David Carr Taylor, chief counsellor of the Wine Guild of the UK, she ended up impressing the wine champion with her tenacity. "At 21, I launched my own range of wines at a function in Delhi courtesy the Carr Taylor family.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Behroze Daruwala, chairperson of WE – International, gave a brief introduction to Edul Daver, WZCC’s global president and explained that WE was established in 2012 to "help women entrepreneurs and professionals to unleash their potential and excel in their business or profession.” Outlining WZCC’s vision for the next two years Daver stated that "entrepreneurship is pursuit of opportunities beyond resources in our control.” He emphasized that "it’s a two-way street for WZCC members, who have to give to receive ... Everyone has to work hard with creativity, innovation and calculated risks.”
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Percis Dubash, secretary of WE.