As we welcome the new year, it’s crucial to acknowledge the women leaders who are making a profound impact in their fields. These trailblazers, from politics to business, are not only breaking down barriers but also paving the way for future generations of women. Their leadership, characterized by bravery, innovation, and empathy, resonates globally. We eagerly anticipate their continued success and the new milestones they will achieve.
Zarine Manchanda, the founder of the Zarine Manchanda Foundation, stands out among the Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2023. Despite facing numerous obstacles, her tenacity and resilience have enabled her to overcome challenges in both her business and philanthropic pursuits. Her foundation has made a significant societal impact, showcasing the power of perseverance. Zarine’s dedication to merging luxury with social responsibility has earned her a notable place on this list of influential women.
A Journey of Versatility and Vision
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, where her father was a notable businessman and state minister, Zarine initially aspired to be a Bollywood actress. After moving to Mumbai and encountering numerous rejections, she redirected her ambitions towards politics. Following advice to start a charitable foundation, she established the Zarine Manchanda Foundation in 2019. The foundation has since conducted nearly 300 donation programs for Mumbai’s underprivileged, earning Zarine the title “Princess of the Poor” and significant media recognition.
Capitalizing on her foundation’s success, Zarine launched the Zarine Manchanda café during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic’s challenges, the café quickly gained popularity among Bollywood celebrities. Her entrepreneurial spirit further manifested in the creation of Zarine Manchanda’s Heavenly Flavors, a cloud kitchen food delivery service, and a premium security company. Recently, she introduced Zarine Manchanda’s Flavors of the Himalayas, offering the first Himachali cuisine in Mumbai.
Transforming Adversities into Achievements
Zarine’s journey to success has been marked by perseverance. Initially aiming to build a political base, she faced significant obstacles in Bollywood, a period that tested her resolve. Her decision to launch a foundation provided new direction and purpose, allowing her to make a positive societal impact and gain the support necessary for her success.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges for Zarine’s foundation and café. Nevertheless, her determination enabled her to navigate these difficulties, resume regular operations, and expand her charitable programs.
Luxury with a Spiritual Essence
Zarine’s vision integrates luxury with spiritual elements across her ventures. From her charity foundation to her café, cloud kitchen, and premium security services, each enterprise reflects her unique blend of opulence and spirituality. This approach ensures that customers experience both luxury and a sense of calm amidst Mumbai’s bustling environment.
Her foundation embodies this vision by offering luxury services to the underprivileged, reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a touch of luxury. This distinct combination has helped Zarine’s businesses thrive in a competitive market.
Entrepreneurship in the Post-Pandemic Era
Reflecting on the pandemic’s impact on entrepreneurship, Zarine notes that it has prompted many businesses to reconsider their work models, with remote work becoming more prevalent. While this shift has led to a sense of isolation, it has also intensified the desire for meaningful connections. Zarine sees this as an opportunity to foster a sense of community and belonging in her businesses, a concept she terms “spiritual charm,” which has contributed to their success in the post-pandemic landscape.
No Looking Back
Zarine has a distinct viewpoint on reflection and advice to her younger self. She emphasizes living in the present and anticipating the future. After recently losing both her parents, she deeply values each moment and strives to live fully. Zarine is at peace with her life’s direction and believes in the purpose behind every event. She follows God’s will, engages in philanthropic efforts, and operates her businesses with honesty. As a strong, inspiring woman, Zarine motivates others to stay focused on their aspirations and make the most of every opportunity. Her counsel to her younger self is to remain faithful to her principles and trust in life’s unfolding journey.
Creating Her Own Legacy
Zarine is forward-thinking and has ambitious plans for the future. Drawing from her extensive experience in managing successful businesses, she aims to continue her father’s legacy in her unique way. Starting with a foundation to aid those in need in Mumbai, she has diversified into a luxurious seven-star café, a cloud kitchen food delivery service, and a high-end security firm—all branded with her name. She intends to take her enterprises global, with franchise inquiries pouring in from both India and abroad. Despite her grand ambitions, Zarine stays true to her mission of doing good, showing benevolence, and being kind to the less fortunate. Her businesses, she believes, should incorporate elements of charity, luxury, and spiritual elegance. With her relentless drive, Zarine Manchanda is making a significant impact in the business world and is determined to continue her positive influence.
Instincts, Hard Work, and Risk-Taking
Zarine maintains that while education is valuable, success in entrepreneurship relies more on instincts, diligence, and the willingness to take risks. She attributes her achievements to her parents’ legacy and her own courage and fearless attitude, which have refined her instincts and empowered her as a role model. Zarine’s perspective underscores that while education imparts essential knowledge and skills, personal attributes and drive play a crucial role in entrepreneurial success. This highlights how bravery, persistence, and resilience shape one’s success and influence life’s trajectory.
Leading with Compassion
Zarine credits her mother with instilling values of honesty, purity, and ethics. Her mother’s reminder that God is always watching has deeply influenced Zarine’s leadership approach. To her, true leadership is about empowering her team and ensuring they feel proud to be part of her brand rather than exerting power through intimidation or loudness. This philosophy has guided Zarine to lead with compassion and a focus on the greater good. She believes that the best leaders embody these qualities and strives to live by this standard daily. By prioritizing people and leading with integrity, Zarine has built a respected brand that positively affects the world.
Phenomenal Growth Trajectory
Zarine has witnessed remarkable growth in her businesses. Her blend of luxury with a spiritual touch has garnered a devoted following, making her a prominent figure in Mumbai and beyond. Her impressive growth has attracted significant media attention, leading to numerous opportunities for business and philanthropic expansion globally. Zarine attributes her sustained success to her unique selling point of luxury combined with spiritual charm, a trait that resonates with her clients and customers. Her focus on this niche has created a favorable reaction within the business community, and her vision for her enterprises is both clear and promising.
Plans for Expansion
Zarine is exploring various avenues to expand her services and reach a global audience. With her diverse portfolio of companies in Mumbai, including a charity foundation, a café and cloud kitchen, and premium security services—all infused with a luxurious and spiritual essence—she is poised for further growth. Her initial step towards global expansion involves franchising her café and security services. Zarine Manchanda’s ambition extends beyond business growth; she aims to enhance her foundation’s impact by establishing free food canteens, ambulances, mobile medical clinics, and educational and care facilities under her name, thereby making a substantial societal contribution.
“Can You Just Imagine”
Zarine’s life has been a remarkable journey marked by numerous successes and accolades. If her experiences were to be encapsulated in a book, she believes it would be aptly titled “Can You Just Imagine.” This phrase resonates deeply with her, reflecting her extensive use of it to describe the incredible achievements she has accomplished in global branding and business, even amidst challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her career has been decorated with numerous prestigious awards, including two National awards, a Governor’s award, and the Nelson Mandela Peace Award, which honored her with an honorary doctorate. Zarine’s media presence has been unwavering, and her influence stretches beyond business into philanthropy, fashion, and politics. Her success is a result of her bold vision and her ability to imagine and implement innovative, strategic plans for her companies. She urges aspiring entrepreneurs to think creatively and identify their unique selling points.
Guiding Words
Zarine offers a powerful message to aspiring entrepreneurs. Through her experiences and accomplishments, she highlights the significance of boldness and risk-taking. She advises emerging entrepreneurs to avoid following the crowd and instead discover and boldly pursue their unique selling propositions (USPs).
Her message is straightforward: success requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone and thinking innovatively. This approach, according to Zarine, will pave the way to a more secure and successful journey toward one’s goals.
Today, Zarine stands as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who has made a profound impact on society. Her path to success has been fraught with challenges, but her determination and hard work demonstrate that with perseverance, anything is possible. Zarine’s story serves as a powerful testament to the strength of resilience and the potential for overcoming adversity.