Ghazal Alagh Success Story: CEO & Co-founder of Mamaearth

Introduction 

Ghazal Alagh a middle-class girl from Haryana is a well-known figure in India because of her smart work in the form of one of the famous home brand products Mamaearth. Ghazal Alagh with Varun Alagh who is a prominent personality, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Honasa Consumer Private Limited (the parent company of Mamaearth) collaborated thinking about People’s health and chemical-free life laid natural and toxin-free products under the name Mamaearth. Since then the journey of milestones started. In 2021, she became one of the seven judges of the reality show ‘Shark Tank India".

In this blog, we are discussing how two hearts and brains met with each other and laid the foundation for the success and happiness of millions.

 

Early Life and Education

On September 2, 1988, Ghazal Alagh was born in Chandigarh. Her education was finished at Gurgaon, Haryana. She performed well academically up till the 11th standard, but when she chose Non-Medical in Intermediate, everything started to go wrong.

Following her education, Ghazal, like every other middle-class family, had to navigate the confusing world of competitive exams. But as Ghazal learned more about the complexities of these exams, she concluded that this wasn't the route she wanted to go. She boldly told her parents that she had decided not to get ready for the exam

She finished her degree and earned a Bachelor's in Computer Applications from Punjab University. She also received a fine arts degree from the New York Academy of Arts. She worked as a corporate trainer at NIIT Limited in 2008. Ghazal worked there for two years.

Varun studied electrical engineering at Delhi College of Engineering from 2001 to 2005, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. Subsequently, he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) in Finance and Marketing from XLRI Jamshedpur between 2005 and 2007.

While pursuing his post-graduation degree program, Varun had the chance to work as an intern and on LIVE projects for companies like Colgate Palmolive, Havells Electric, Madura Garments, Maruti, and Nokia.

 

 

How did they meet each other?

Ghazal Alagh‘s relative was the neighbor of Varun. So when Ghazal used to come to her relative Varun and Ghazal had eye contact with each other then friendship, and love went on then they married after dating for a few years.

 

Entrepreneurial Journey of Ghazal Alagh

Ghazal Alagh's first journey failed. The idea originated during her struggles with weight reduction, which got worse by her many moves. "Diet Expert" was her startup name. The idea was to serve those looking for ways to lose weight while traveling. Even though the business expanded well, it eventually ran into difficulties and failed. Her second endeavor had the same outcome.

They eventually made their way back to India. Agastya, Ghazal and Varun's first child, was welcomed. Nevertheless, happiness gave way to worry when Agastya's skin color issue was identified. Every product that Ghazal used on his sensitive skin caused rashes and suffering, making her feel bad about not being able to help her kid. She spoke with friends, physicians, and the new parents and discovered that many others were dealing with the same problem.

Ghazal started to question the security of commonly available infant care products. It was at this stressful time for the parents that the concept of Mamaearth emerged. She has been ordering products from overseas. Agastya's health problems provided the root for change.  Ghazal started a goal to provide goods that were safe and friendly for newborns, working with her husband and others who were going through similar things. She began reading about various ingredients and products. 

 

Challenges Faced As a Woman & Mother

Starting a company and managing the demands of being a new mother was no small task. Ghazal faced resistance from family members, friends, and even from herself. People used to ask her a lot of questions about why she put her business before her child. However, the couple was always there for one another.

However, the hardship only strengthened her resolve to start a company that put quality and safety first for all parents and children.

 

Honasa Consumer (Mamaearth) Limited's Performance

Below are the facts of the company for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2022.

• Mamaearth (Honasa Consumert Limited) launched its IPO on 31st October, 2023 worth Rs. 1701 Crore.

• The company's net worth fell to Rs.6,382.637 million from Rs.7009.70 million.

• Revenue from operations increased to Rs.4,644.873 million from Rs.3122.45 million.

• The company’s EBITDA rose to Rs.293.10 million from Rs.-124.35 million.

• The total borrowings increased to Rs.67.90 million from Rs.59.24 million.

• Net cash flow in operating activities increased to Rs.486.62 million from Rs.78.79 million.

• Net cash flow in investing activities fell to Rs. -427.10 million from Rs. -101.81 million.

• Net cash flow in financing activities decreased to Rs. -63.80 million from Rs. -59.84 million.

 

Achievements

• Business World 40 under 40 Awards in association with Businessworld for being a change-maker and corporate leader.

• Honored at the 19th edition of Business Today's 'Most Powerful Women in Business' event by Union Minister Smriti Irani.

• Among the 20 women enlisted on the Forbes 2022 Asia’s Power Businesswomen.

 

Net Worth & Investment

Financial Express estimates that Ghazal's net worth exceeded Rs.148 crore in 2023. According to Forbes' list of influential women, she is among the most prosperous businesswomen.

P-TAL (Oct 16, 2023): Rs.4.33 crore (Seed Round)

Crib (Jun 21, 2023): Rs.15 crore (Seed Round)

Leap.club (Dec 1, 2022): Rs.9 crore (Seed Round)

Wishlink (Oct 11, 2022): Rs.30 lakhs (Seed Round)

unScript.ai (Sep 28, 2022): Rs.10 crore (Seed Round)

FS Life (Sep 22, 2022): Rs.50 crore (Series B)

Bliss Club (May 18, 2022): Rs.1.5 crore (Series A)

Humpy Farms (Jan 31, 2022): Rs.1 crore (Angel Round)

Uvi Health (Jul 19, 2021): 2.47 crore (Pre-Seed Round) 

 

 

Did You Know?

Ghazal Alagh's first salary was just Rs.1200 per day.

 

Conclusion

Ghazal's path, marked by determination and a constant commitment to her objective, serves as an inspiration for aspiring businesswomen in particular. She urges people to be dedicated to their objectives, endure hardships, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Ghazal's dedication to quality and hands-on approach has been essential to Mamaearth's success. Her views offer a thorough perspective, highlighting the necessity of work-life balance and self-care in the demanding world of business.

Being a woman and mother Ghazal Alag from making 1200 Rs per day to owning a million-dollar company went through many ups, downs, and criticism. Her goals, strength, positive-centric approach, and consistency laid her on a successful journey.