Richa Singh is India’s leading blogger, TEDx speaker, and co-founder and CEO at Happinetz. Her upbringing in Lucknow, with its rich cultural literature, sparked her interest in the internet. This led her to a life of blogging and social media, helping her become one of the most popular bloggers in the country.

Passionate about advancing this initiative, she later founded Blogchatter, India’s most active community of bloggers. At every juncture, she used the power of her platform to educate people about the strengths and pitfalls of the internet. For instance, her TEDx talk centered around specific usage of social media to ignite change that leads to living room conversations across homes globally.

However, it was when Richa became a parent that her focus shifted back to the darker aspects of the internet she encountered in her early days. Eager to provide an effective and user-friendly solution, she dedicated a year to developing a plug-and-play gadget—a Safe Internet for Kids Box—Happinetz, an Internet filtering platform that enables safe browsing for children.

Today, Happinetz tracks more than 22 million websites containing inappropriate content out of 110 million websites, and it also helps parents filter inappropriate and adult content across apps, devices, and browsers and protects children’s data. It also sets internet schedules and restricts internet use timings to manage screen time, according to the website. TheGlitz has more…

Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell us about the life-changing milestones that have moulded you into what you are today?

Two pivotal moments have defined my journey, shaping me into the person I am today. The first was in 2016, when I left behind the comfort of my corporate job to embark on the path of entrepreneurship. This leap of faith led to the creation of Blogchatter, a community-based platform bridging brands and bloggers for mutual growth. Despite initial scepticism, Blogchatter has flourished and is poised to mark its eighth anniversary in 2024.

The second milestone occurred in 2021, when I embraced parenthood. As an internet entrepreneur, I have witnessed firsthand the dangers of unrestricted internet access for children. Motivated by a desire to safeguard my daughter from harmful content, I developed Happinetz, a parental control filter that ensures a secure online environment for kids. These transformative moments not only birthed two successful ventures but also instilled in me a sense of purpose, guiding my entrepreneurial endeavours towards meaningful impact and innovation.

What are the setbacks you have faced? How did you tackle these setbacks or challenges? And what lesson have you learned from it?

While working on Blogchatter, the biggest challenge was thinking from a business perspective. I was very good at the planning and execution of campaigns that came our way. But thinking about the business, revenues, and scaling my brand was what I found challenging.

What helped here was experience. When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I was still learning. My idea was to establish a blogging community, but it grew from there, with brands coming in organically. I feel everything happens for a reason, and I learned to roll with the punches and learn on the go, constantly reinventing Blogchatter based on market demands.

With Happinetz, I was better prepared since it was my second business. The problems here were more tech-related and not because I didn’t know how to run a business. How do you filter something as vast as the internet? How do you make this technology easy to access for every average parent? We all know the internet is an ever-evolving place, and we had to make sure that Happinetz and its filtering processes would be up to the task of filtering adult and unsecured websites and apps on an almost real-time basis.

What helped here was finding the right partners to solve the tech challenges. I had to keep reminding myself that the solution was there; we just needed to crack it.

When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?

Reflecting on my journey, three key qualities have profoundly shaped my identity. Firstly, my unwavering focus propels me towards my objectives with determination and perseverance. Secondly, embracing spontaneity fosters continuous development and flexibility, as I firmly believe in investing in myself. Lastly, my respect for all stakeholders underscores my approach to both business and personal relationships, prioritising the happiness and satisfaction of brands, employees, and customers alike. These qualities have been integral to my journey and continue to guide me forward.

Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?

The people who have truly been the wind beneath my wings are my dad and my husband. From my earliest memories, my dad has been my greatest cheerleader, always encouraging me to aim high and never let anything hold me back. His belief in my abilities has been a constant source of strength, reminding me that there are no limits to what I can achieve. As a woman, his support has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of societal expectations.

And then there’s my husband, who stands by my side as an equal partner in every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s managing our businesses or raising our daughter, he is always there, offering support and understanding. As a fellow entrepreneur, he gets the struggles and triumphs, making our conversations effortless and enriching. Together, they are the pillars of my success, lifting me up and propelling me forward every step of the way.

Lastly, if there was a quote to define you, what would it be?

“Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong, but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.”