Vishnu Priya
When Ghazal Alagh began her journey into entrepreneurship, she was not thinking about valuations or exits. She was thinking about her child. Today, she’s the co-founder of Mamaearth, one of India’s most successful personal care startups, valued at over ₹9,000 crore.
Her path is proof that powerful companies can come from personal pain points, and that deep empathy can lead to market-defining innovation. In this post, we explore how Ghazal balanced her roles as a new mother and first-time entrepreneur while staying true to her values.
Who is Ghazal Alagh
Born and raised in Gurgaon, Ghazal had a background in art and design before co-founding Mamaearth in 2016 alongside her husband, Varun Alagh. The brand began with one simple mission — to create safe, toxin-free products for babies and new parents in India.
Today, Mamaearth is a household name, known for its wide range of skincare, haircare, and baby care products made with natural ingredients and backed by transparency.
What Sparked Mamaearth
The idea behind Mamaearth was personal. When her infant son developed a skin condition, Ghazal could not find any Indian-made products she trusted. She had to import basic baby lotions from abroad and that became the trigger.
She often recalls in interviews:
“I remember standing in pharmacy aisles, thinking — how can I put this on his skin?”
That frustration turned into action. She started researching ingredients, collaborating with doctors, and shaping the foundation of what would become Mamaearth a brand built on trust, transparency, and care.
Ghazal’s 4 Life Principles
During the early days of building Mamaearth while caring for a newborn, Ghazal followed four guiding principles to keep herself balanced and focused:
- Clarity is power
- Habits over willpower
- Growth lies in discomfort
- Progress over perfection
These mantras helped her scale her energy and leadership in small, meaningful steps, without burning out or losing her vision.
The Truth About Hustle
Unlike the hustle-heavy mindset that dominates many startup stories, Ghazal speaks openly about sustainability.
“You shouldn’t give your 100 percent every day,” she says.
Some days need full effort. Other days need rest and reflection.
She believes long-term success is a result of sustainable energy, not daily exhaustion.
Lessons for Founders
Ghazal’s story is particularly relevant for Indian founders and aspiring entrepreneurs today. It offers four key takeaways:
- Start with a purpose — Her business was born from a personal need, which made the mission authentic.
- Compete with yourself, not the world — She doesn’t believe in comparing success with others.
- Consistency beats intensity — Small daily habits shape the long game.
- Parenthood teaches leadership — She credits her child for teaching her patience, prioritization, and long-term thinking.
Where Mamaearth Stands Today
From baby lotion to becoming a full-fledged personal care powerhouse, Mamaearth has now expanded to skincare, haircare, and wellness. With global investors and a public listing on the Indian stock exchange, Ghazal’s vision continues to grow.
Yet she still remains grounded in her role as a mother, mentor, and builder of a purpose-first brand.
Ghazal Alagh is more than a successful founder , she represents a new generation of Indian women entrepreneurs who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Her journey proves that businesses built with empathy, clarity, and intention can scale while staying deeply human.
For anyone juggling work, wellness, and self-growth, her story is both blueprint and motivation.
