In the ever-changing world of Indian entrepreneurship, the story of Ghazal Alagh, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of Mamaearth, stands out. Ghazal, who used to be a corporate trainer and is now an artist and a well-known mompreneur, has changed the way we think about success by combining her roles as a mother and a business visionary. Her rise from humble beginnings to creating a unicorn brand worth INR 9,800 crores shows the power of resilience, creativity, and leadership with a purpose. This article looks at Ghazal Alagh’s inspiring journey, her work in the personal care industry, and the lessons she teaches women who want to start their own businesses while also being mothers.
The Early Years and the Start of Business
Ghazal Alagh was born in Haryana, India, and grew up in a middle-class family that was very business-minded. Her parents’ businesses made her want to do something important and interesting. In 2010, she got a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from Punjab University. This gave her a technical base that would later help her business skills. She went to the New York Academy of Arts in 2013 to study modern art, design, and applied arts because she loved being creative. There, she improved her artistic skills and was named one of India’s top 10 women artists.
From 2008 to 2010, Ghazal worked as a corporate trainer at NIIT Ltd., where she taught managers and engineers SQL, J2ME, and Oracle. She made a modest INR 1,200 a day. She said, “I remember the joy of taking my mom shopping and having a memorable dinner.” This simple start helped her develop an entrepreneurial mindset that values simplicity and real connections.
The Beginning of Mamaearth: A Personal Goal That Became a Business Success
Being a mother changed Ghazal’s life for the better. In 2014, she and her husband, Varun Alagh, had their first son, Agastya. He had eczema. Their search for safe, chemical-free baby products showed a big hole in the Indian market, where most products had harmful chemicals in them. Ghazal and Varun started Mamaearth in 2016 with an investment of INR 25 lakhs from Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd. They did this because they wanted to protect their child.
Mamaearth was the first baby care brand in India to be free of toxins. It started with seven products that met international safety standards. The brand’s “MADE SAFE” certification, which was the first for an Asian company, showed how much they cared about quality and safety. What began as a way to help babies like Agastya grew to include skincare and makeup for adults, appealing to millennials who want natural, eco-friendly products. Honasa Consumer owns brands like The Derma Co., Aqualogica, Ayuga, and investments in BBLUNT, Momspresso, and Dr. Sheth’s. It has over 500 products in its portfolio.
Ghazal’s hands-on method of making products makes sure they are of high quality. She tests each product herself because she believes in never giving her kids anything she wouldn’t use herself. Mamaearth became one of India’s fastest-growing beauty and personal care brands because of its commitment and digital-first strategy. In just six years, it made INR 1,000 crore in sales.
Changing the Definition of a Mompreneur
Ghazal’s story as a mompreneur is a strong example of how to go against what society expects of you. While she was pregnant with her second son, Ayaan, who was born in March 2022, people told her to “slow down.” She didn’t agree with this idea and said, “Pregnancy is NOT inability.” Ambition does NOT mean being insensitive. She was eight months pregnant when she signed up to be a judge on Shark Tank India Season 1. She grew her business from one brand to four while also taking care of her family and her growing team. She chose to keep working on purpose because she thinks that every woman should set her own pace.
Her LinkedIn post about this experience struck a chord with many people, starting conversations about how to balance being a mother with having big goals. “As a mompreneur myself, managing my small business and my full-time IT job, your journey inspires me so much,” one user wrote. Ghazal’s honesty about her problems, like being tired, gave others strength by showing that making choices that are in line with your own goals is a sign of strength.
What we can learn from a visionary leader
Ghazal’s success isn’t just in making a billion-dollar brand; it’s also in sharing knowledge that inspires others. In a LinkedIn post from 2025, she thought about what her son had asked her: “Mama, why are you always in a hurry?” This made her want to share five lessons about life that entrepreneurs should learn:
- Clarity Saves Time: Make decisions that are in line with your goals.
- First, take care of yourself: family and health are the keys to success.
- Value First: Get rid of tasks that don’t have any effect but make noise.
- Choose Change: Making choices on purpose leads to real change.
- Learn from Life: Sometimes, like when a child asks you a question, you learn something you didn’t expect.
She also tells business owners not to start a business just for money, fame, or because they don’t want to work hard. “Start simple and small,” she says, remembering how she and Varun kept their first marketing plan simple to get customers before they expanded Mamaearth.
A History of Making a Difference and Giving Power
Ghazal cares about more than just business; he also cares about social and environmental issues. Mamaearth’s Plant Goodness program has planted more than 3 million trees and recycled more than 1,000 metric tons of plastic. Her work for gender equality at work and her mentoring of women business owners make her even more powerful. IDFC First Bank and the Hurun Report 2023 named Ghazal one of India’s top 10 youngest self-made women entrepreneurs. She was also on Fortune India’s list of the Most Powerful Women in Business.
In a 2023 HELLO! India article, she said, “When I first started, I didn’t believe in myself…” I now try to tell my story and help other women so they feel understood and encouraged. Her posts on X and LinkedIn, which range from celebrating Mamaearth’s sixth anniversary to giving career advice, show that she wants to create a community of strong business owners.
The End
Ghazal Alagh’s story is about having a goal, not giving up, and defining success on her own terms. She has shown that motherhood and ambition can work well together, going from a corporate trainer making a small amount of money to a mompreneur running a unicorn brand. Her journey shows us that success isn’t just about making money; it’s also about leaving a legacy that makes people’s lives better, like by making products that are free of toxins, starting environmental projects, or helping others follow their dreams. Ghazal is still a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs because she keeps coming up with new ideas and inspiring others. She shows that anything is possible if you have a clear mind, a strong will, and a heart full of purpose.
