“The only superpower we women have is our financial independence. Then, it doesn’t matter whose daughter you are, whose wife you are… The minute you earn your first Rs 5,000 or Rs 500, that sense of validation, that sense of satisfaction is unbeatable. Something changes within you.”
This was the message shared by entrepreneur KALYANI CHAWLA in Kolkata, during an exclusive chat with members of Ladies Who Lead.
After gaining key investment from Rainmatter by Zerodha — an impact fund led by Nithin Kamath — we are aiming to reach emerging cities and offer a wider network for women leaders. As part of that, in end-August, we had a networking mixer in Chandigarh, followed by a chat with Kalyani in her hometown Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Kalyani, who started working at 21, spoke about her diverse work experience — spanning hospitality, journalism, retail, fashion, and global luxury. She is currently founder and chief executive of Rezon Luxury Silverware, and a consultant for international brands.
“The life of an entrepreneur…the struggle is real. We women have so many fears, fear of the unknown, especially if we haven’t tried something. If you really feel like doing something, just do it. Don’t procrastinate, time is stopping for nobody. And ‘What If…’ is the most wretched regret to live with,” she said.
While trying to establish herself in different stages of her career, she was also navigating a divorce and being a single parent to daughter, Tahira Tara. While she belongs to a progressive family in Kolkata who encouraged her to be independent, she was living in Delhi and recounted instances of braving extreme judgement. But she chose to be unabashedly herself and true to her principles.
“Initially, gossip and rumours would make me upset. But now, it bounces off me. You have to make your life better for yourself,” she said.
Kalyani emphasised that it’s okay to start small, and bank on the skills one has. With social media, it’s easier to get ideas and highlight one’s work, even if one’s at home — whether it be through cooking, setting a well-decorated table, or a flower arrangement.
“No idea is a bad idea. If you have an idea, try and implement it. The mistakes you make, the failures you’ll have are going to be your biggest learnings. Take the initiative, that doesn’t come from anybody else. If you want to do something, go out there and do it.”
While her brand is self-funded and debt-free, women entrepreneurs who need it can get a bank loan and there are numerous schemes to help them, Kalyani suggested.
The topic struck a chord among the audience. During and after the session, young women reached out to her, sharing their journey and fears. “When you’re pushed against a wall, either you crumble or you get up and move forward. That’s what you have to do right now,” she summed up.