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This is a collection of stories about inspiring women from around the world. Entrepreneurs, Leaders, and women have challenged the status quo and made a difference in every walk of life. These women entrepreneurs are a curation of inspiration. Reading about these successful people could be just a passing phrase, a casual read or a momentary fascination that inspires us to work towards our goals. 

Check out these inspiring women entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world who are the genesis of a whole new world of experiences. 

Veena Kumaravel, Founder of Naturals

Veena Kumaravel is the woman who revolutionized the beauty industry of Tamil Nadu. She started Naturals in the 2000s with the support of her husband, CKK Kumaravel, and it is now one of India’s most prominent beauty salons. She made her way in the business industry and is one of India’s most successful lady entrepreneurs.

Radhika Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair  

Growing up with music and a father who loved to discover talent, Radhika Jones had said in several interviews that the ‘Love of Discovery’ taught by her father was what fascinated her the most. She was chosen by Vanity Fair, the glamorous fashion magazine, to be the Editor-in-Chief. Radhika Jones challenged the status quo by shifting the magazine’s focus away from haute couture cover pages to bringing women from all types of backgrounds into the limelight. Unexpectedly, Vanity Fair broke its record of subscriptions, silencing the many naysayers and critics.

Maria Eitel, Founder and Chair of the Nike Foundation 

Maria Eitel was appointed as the first vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility at Nike Inc. She later founded the Nike Foundation in 2004. She is the brain behind the theory of The Girl Effect and the almost outlandish idea that adolescent girls have the power to stop poverty before it starts. She is the founder and chair of Girl Effect, an organisation that helps millions of young girls at the bottom of the pyramid, address key pain points that would help them escape from horrendous situations. She decided that ‘ending early marriage and delaying first childbirth, enhancing the health and safety of girls, increasing secondary school completion, and improving access to economic assets’ were key to liberation and dignified existence. Her vision has helped millions of young girls redefine their lives.

Melanie Perkins, Co-Founder and CEO of Canva

Leading at 19 doesn’t happen every day. While people her age were out having fun, she was a young lady with a vision. With not enough knowledge of graphic design, Melanie Perkins decided there had to be an easier way. So, kicking off her heels, she got to work, pitching for a graphic design online platform that was not just user-friendly but was free to use. Her idea clicked quite instantly. Her daring to dream made her one of the world’s youngest lady leaders and technology CEOs. Can grow to become a $1 billion enterprise in less than six years. Up to 85% of Fortune 500 companies use Canva globally; This lady leader certainly stands head and shoulders above many. 

Falguni Nayar, Founder and CEO of Nykaa 

The one that painted pretty pictures in so many of our lives and professions.

Stepping out of her shoes after 20 proud years heading Kotak Mahindra Capital, this managing director found her calling at 50. The journey wasn’t easy but definitely incredible for Falguni Nayar to be called India’s most prominent self-made female billionaire in 2021. She started from scratch with a qualification in management from IIM. Age was just a number to her. All she knew was she had to make it big in the business world and, of course, she did. Nykaa, a trendsetter in its niche, has made her the second most prosperous businesswoman in India, ahead of Kiran Shaw of Biocon. 

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd. 

“As a woman entrepreneur, I had to build my credibility. I no longer consider myself a woman business leader. But to get here, I’ve had to overcome many, many, many credibility hurdles,” Kiran said in an interview. This shows that the journey to the top is merely a cakewalk for these Lady Leaders. On a lighter note, the terrain is rough for these gritty girls. Global recognition in the field of biotechnology, which is arguably a male-dominated field, did not come easy to Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. Known as one of the most influential personalities today, she never fails to recall the arduous entrepreneurial journey that brought her to these unimaginable heights. 

This list of inspirational women doesn’t stop there. We have Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo (past). She is also one of the Board Directors of Amazon and Other global companies. Another successful lady in heels is Priyanka Chopra, an actress, a film producer, hair care brand and restaurant owner. The list keeps going!

The confidence these women have is mind blowing. Step one, before trying on the heels, you need to put your best foot forward. Good grooming and great confidence go hand in hand. So, start right away by booking your appointment at your nearest naturals salon. Show the world you can do it too!