Put your hands together for TheGlitz ‘Super Woman’: Shilpa Khanna Thakkar, CEO, Chicnutrix. Her story is unique. While growing up, her first language was never English but she graduated from the prestigious world-renowned Cardiff University. So, when after over a decade in a premium financial service company, JP Morgan, the dynamic Shilpa decided to plunge into entrepreneurship. Being a woman and consequently understanding the different phases of a woman’s life and the kind of toll it takes on their health, Shilpa wanted to create a brand that focused exclusively on women’s needs.
And thus Chicnutrix was created! But with time, the focus of Chicnutrix moved towards creating a premium brand that focuses on the needs of everyone and anyone for healthy skin and hair. It is now a one-stop brand for beauty, nutrition, and wellness requirements through all life phases, with products that provide solutions for skin, hair, nails, PCOS, weight management, and UTI, amongst others. The brand’s star products include Glow, Happee, Bounce, Cysterhood, Cleanse, and Super C.
Shilpa always wanted to “have it all” – a career, a family life, friends, and leisure pursuits (dance being a passion). Today, Shilpa Khanna Thakkar is the founder of Chic Moms Tribe, an online community for women to come together and discuss, share, and seek advice on matters about motherhood.
A platform by a mom for moms, Chicmomstribe has collaborated with Bollywood actor Neha Dhupia to talk about post-partum hair fall and has celebrity Sucheta Pal as its post-partum coach. Read on to know why Shilpa Khanna Thakkar is a true blue TheGlitz ‘Super Woman’.
Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell us about your life-changing journey that has moulded you to be what you are today?
There are many momentous milestones that everyone experiences, and I am no exception. These moments, both good and bad, shape us into the people we are today. If I had to choose one such milestone, it would be my decision to study abroad after graduation. This was a bold move, especially for someone from a conservative and protective family like mine. I had never made an independent decision before, and my parents agreeing to let me go was a big step for me.
I was the first girl in my family to study abroad, and it helped me understand and explore myself better. More than just studying abroad, it was about overcoming my fears. I used to think that I could never be an independent person, take a decision alone, or be a strong woman. But going abroad helped me overcome those fears. I started taking up things that I was afraid of and challenging myself, and that’s how I shaped my journey.
Could you list 3 of your major achievements?
I believe there will be many more significant accomplishments to come, but I feel my biggest accomplishment is my ability to balance work and parenthood. Other professionals often tell me they admire my management style and multitasking abilities, as my timelinesare often critical. The nicest form of feedback for me is when my children feel like I’ve always been there for them. That is my most significant success. Mom’s guilt impacts me since I don’t spend enough time with my children.
Nevertheless, I’ve been able to teach my kids that their mother needs to work too, and they understand that while still making me feel like I’m on top of the world. They’ve always felt connected to me, and I never miss anything essential for them either. In my opinion, nothing in the past or the future can compare to this accomplishment, as it surpasses all others.”
What are the setbacks you have faced? How did you tackle these setbacks or challenges? And what lesson have you learned from it?
Due to the nature of an entrepreneur’s work, it is challenging to single out just a handful of the many challenges we face. As entrepreneurs, we all encounter difficulties and setbacks, and learning from these mistakes helps us move forward. In my opinion, the most important lesson I have learned is that there is always room for improvement when introducing a new product range.
With each new product launch, I have grown to appreciate my business and products more and more, but I have also learned to accept that not everything will go according to plan. As an entrepreneur, you must learn to be less emotive and consider the organization’s perspective. While most decisions we make are driven by passion and our hearts, there are times when we must use our heads and data to make tough decisions.
Over the years, I have learned to keep my heart out of the equation and make decisions based on rational data, while still keeping my head in the game. When a project or product we were passionate about does not work out, we must learn to let it go and figure out how to fix it so it can succeed in a different form. However, there are occasions when it is crucial to remain emotionally detached.”
When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?
As a mother and successful woman entrepreneur, I believe that my multitasking abilities, go-getter attitude, and patience have been three of my most valuable qualities.
Being a mother has taught me how to juggle multiple responsibilities at once. Multitasking has become second nature to me, and it has been a critical skill that has allowed me to manage my business and family life effectively. I have learned how to balance my time, prioritize my tasks, and ensure that I give my best to both my family and my business.
My go-getter attitude has been a driving force behind my entrepreneurial journey. As a mother, I have learned how to be fearless and take calculated risks to pursue my business goals. This mindset has helped me to identify opportunities that others may not see and turn them into successful business ventures.
Finally, patience has been an essential quality that has helped me to persevere through the challenges of entrepreneurship and motherhood. As a mother, I have learned that success takes time and effort, and setbacks are inevitable. However, being patient has allowed me to stay focused on my long-term goals and overcome any obstacles that come my way. These qualities have been instrumental in my journey, and I believe that they are essential traits for any entrepreneur who wants to start and grow a successful business while making time for family.
Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?
As a female CEO, I am fortunate to have the unwavering support of my family. My father, husband, brother, kids, and mom have been instrumental in my success, and I am grateful for their love, encouragement, and guidance. My father has always been my role model and mentor. He instilled in me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. His unwavering support and guidance have been invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
My kids have been my constant source of motivation and inspiration. Their love and support have given me the strength and courage to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact in the world. Overall I would say that the support of my family has been the driving force behind my success. I am grateful for their love, guidance, and encouragement, and I could not have achieved what I have without them by my side.
Lastly, if there was a quote to define you, what would it be?
Life is a never-ending classroom, and I’m always eager to learn something new. Every experience, every challenge, every obstacle is an opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge and skills.”
