In the dynamic realm of startups, the narrative is evolving, with women entrepreneurs emerging as architects of change. Swati Bhargava, the visionary force behind CashKaro, shares her journey, challenges, and insights which reflects that how diversity and inclusion can fuel India's quest to become a USD 3 trillion economy by 2030.
Backed by Ratan Tata, CashKaro, is a B2C platform, featuring apps like CashKaro, EarnKaro, CashKaro Stores, and BankKaro. The startup caters to over 1,500 e-commerce brands, from Amazon and Flipkart to Mamaearth and Nykaa.
In the TICE TV Exclusive Interview, Swati Bhargava shared insights into her journey, triumphs, and the path to becoming a successful Shepreneur by overcoming gender biases and leveraging her strengths.
How an Ambala Girl Became a Global Figure?
Swati Bhargava's journey began in the small town of Ambala in Haryana. A trailblazer, she became the first woman from her community to study abroad, setting the stage for an extraordinary life.
"I got a scholarship to study in Singapore for my A levels, then at the London School of Economics, and eventually worked at Goldman Sachs in London for five years," she narrates.
Together with her husband, they ventured into entrepreneurship, founding CashKaro, which has now flourished for a decade.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Challenges as a Female Entrepreneur
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Swati dismisses the idea of gender defining her role.
"I never really thought of myself as a woman entrepreneur; I am an entrepreneur, gender comes after that," she asserts. While acknowledging biases, she emphasizes that resilience and letting one's work speak for itself are essential. "We have to go and do our job and let our work speak for itself," she advises.
Seizing Opportunities: Motivation Behind Studying Abroad
Swati's audacious decision to study abroad stemmed from a belief in embracing opportunities that alter one's destiny.
"When an opportunity comes, I wanted to not let go because I didn't know what awaited me," she shares.
Her fearless pursuit of the unknown fueled her journey from Ambala to international success.
Tech Evolution: The Genesis of CashKaro in India
CashKaro's inception in India followed its success in the UK. Swati details their grassroots approach, leveraging LinkedIn and contacting journalists and partners to establish the platform. With partnerships with major e-commerce players like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra, CashKaro transformed into a pioneering cashback app, resonating with the Indian audience.
Swati acknowledges the role of technology in CashKaro's evolution, highlighting the adaptation to new tech and integration of AI. With a dedicated tech team, they crafted a scalable stack, enabling the platform to stay at the forefront of innovation in the rapidly changing tech landscape.
Balancing Act: The Entrepreneur-Homemaker Dual Role
As a businesswoman and homemaker, Swati unveils her strategy for balancing diverse roles.
"I time my day a lot," she reveals, emphasizing compartmentalization to ensure dedicated focus at work and home.
Empowering Future Leaders: A Message to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
Swati Bhargava's message to budding female entrepreneurs echoes a blend of hard work and attracting positivity. "You have to work towards it, have faith that it will come to you," she advocates, underscoring the importance of maintaining a high vibrational frequency to attract success.
Swati Bhargava's narrative exemplifies the power of determination, innovation, and breaking stereotypes. As India aims to reach new heights, embracing diversity and inclusion, championed by visionary leaders like Swati, can become the driving force propelling the nation towards this ambitious goal.
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