Women Square

Tag: women in business

  • IFC & IIR 2025: A Pivotal Event for India’s Furniture and Interior Sectors

    IFC & IIR 2025: A Pivotal Event for India’s Furniture and Interior Sectors

    New Delhi – The 4th edition of the India Furniture Conclave (IFC) 2025 and the 5th edition of India Interior Retailing (IIR) 2025 concluded on a high note at the Matecia Exhibition, IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The events marked a pivotal moment for India’s evolving home, furniture, and lifestyle sectors—spotlighting innovation, sustainability, and design-led transformation.

    The events witnessed robust participation from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, designers, retailers, and policymakers. With over 100 influential voices and thought leaders from India and abroad, the conclaves became a catalyst for knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration.

    The IFC 2025 brought together a distinguished panel of industry leaders who are shaping the future of furniture design and manufacturing in India. Among the key participants were Mr. Pragath Dvivedi, Founder of India Furniture Conclave; Mr. Rakesh Khokhani, Managing Director of Nirvana Furniture Pvt Ltd; Mr. Vivek Agarwal, Founder of Maanvi Homes; Mr. Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales at Hettich; and Mr. Tanuj Choudhry, Co-founder of HomeLane. Their presence underscored the event’s commitment to fostering innovation, advancing sustainable practices, and driving transformation in the Indian furniture ecosystem.

    “The convergence of manufacturing excellence and retail innovation on a single platform made this event truly impactful. It reflects the growth, ambition, and creative power of India’s interiors and furniture sectors,” said Mr. Pragath Dvivedi, Founder, Matecia Exhibition.

    Held concurrently IIR 2025 focussed  on evolving consumer behavior, the future of retail design, and the rise of omnichannel experiences, with a particular emphasis on opportunities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The speaker lineup featured prominent industry voices including Ms. Madhurima Choudhary, Executive Editor at Surfaces Reporter; Ms. Shailja Agarwal, Director – Marketing at Amulya Mica; Mr. Akash Chowdhary, Director of Kridha Laminates; Ms. Kirti Shah, Director of MBEE Paper & Plates; Mr. Aman Agarwal, Director of Match Graphics; Ar. Pratik Jain from Agilers, Mumbai; and ID Neha Garg from Studio Jane, Mumbai. Their insights highlighted the importance of personalization, scalable retail strategies, and design innovation in today’s dynamic interior retail landscape.

    “India Furniture Conclave and Interior Retailing 2025 showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and design thinking in shaping the next era of Indian living spaces,” said Ms. Verticaa Dvivedi,, Director,Matecia Exhibition.

  • Building an Empire: Nidhi Yadav’s Journey with Aks Clothing

    Building an Empire: Nidhi Yadav’s Journey with Aks Clothing

    Nidhi Yadav was born in Indore to lawyer parents, Karan Singh Yadav and Rajbala Yadav. From an early age, she developed a strong sense of discipline and ambition. Although she began her professional journey as a software engineer and worked with Deloitte, her heart was always inclined toward creativity and entrepreneurship.

    Choosing Passion Over Security

    After securing a job opportunity in Italy, Nidhi made a bold choice—she returned to India to stay close to her family and pursue her passion for fashion. She further honed her skills at the prestigious Polimoda Fashion School in Florence, Italy, which equipped her with global insights into the fashion industry.

    Founding Aks Clothing

    In 2014, with an initial investment of just ₹3.5 lakh, Nidhi launched Aks Clothing in Gurugram. Her vision was simple yet powerful: to offer stylish, affordable ethnic wear for Indian women. Drawing inspiration from Zara’s fast-fashion model, she introduced new collections every two weeks, ensuring that her brand stayed relevant to evolving fashion trends.

    The Early Struggles

    The brand’s journey began in a modest 2BHK apartment in Gurugram, where Nidhi managed everything herself—from packaging to inventory. Her husband, Satpal Yadav, an IIM Kozhikode graduate and then-operations manager at Jabong, provided crucial operational guidance. Together, they would travel frequently to Jaipur with their young daughter to source fabrics and materials. By 2015, the growing demand led them to rent a basement space to expand their operations.

    Scaling New Heights

    Aks Clothing soon gained traction on leading e-commerce platforms like Myntra, Jabong, and Limeroad. To meet the surge in demand, Nidhi partnered with three production units in Jaipur and leveraged flexible credit terms to expand further. She also transitioned the business into a private limited company, Yuvdhi Apparels Pvt. Ltd., demonstrating her long-term commitment to growth.

    Recognition and Growth

    Thanks to Nidhi’s innovative vision and strategic execution, Aks Clothing established itself as a trusted name in India’s ethnic wear market. The brand’s inclusion in Myntra’s accelerator program further boosted its visibility and credibility. Today, Aks Clothing generates over ₹200 crore in revenue, with ambitious plans to touch ₹500 crore by the end of FY 2023–24.

    A True Inspiration

    From starting small with a dream and limited capital to building one of India’s fastest-growing ethnic wear brands, Nidhi Yadav’s journey is an inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She continues to focus on expanding Aks Clothing’s reach while staying true to her vision of offering fashionable yet affordable ethnic wear for women across India.

  • Women Empowerment Initiative Package Launched for Gender Equality

    Women Empowerment Initiative Package Launched for Gender Equality

    New Delhi, India — In a landmark effort to promote gender equality and amplify women’s voices across sectors, the Women Empowerment Initiative Package has been launched, uniting some of India’s most influential media and digital platforms. This initiative is designed to foster financial independence, leadership opportunities, and representation for women, ensuring they thrive in entrepreneurship, media, and digital innovation.

    The package is supported by leading platforms including Bharat NOW, Women Entrepreneurs, Women Times, Women Chronicle, Women Saga, Women Bytes, Hello Women, She Circle, Women Square, India Saga, along with distribution through DailyHunt and Flipboard. Each platform plays a unique role in amplifying women’s achievements and advocating for equal opportunities.

    Bharat NOW: A Platform for Nationwide Change

    Bharat NOW is a dynamic digital hub spotlighting women’s contributions in politics, business, education, and social reform. By delivering real-time updates on policies, scholarships, and financial assistance programs, Bharat NOW bridges the gap between government initiatives and grassroots women-led movements—making empowerment accessible and actionable.

    Women Entrepreneurs: Shaping the Future of Business

    Women Entrepreneurs is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of women-led businesses. Through success stories, mentorship, and financial literacy programs, it builds a robust network where aspiring female leaders can connect, collaborate, and thrive in competitive markets.

    Women Times: Amplifying Women’s Voices

    Women Times champions gender equality through investigative journalism, in-depth features, and advocacy-driven storytelling. Tackling issues like workplace discrimination and gender pay gaps, it also celebrates female achievers who inspire change.

    Women Chronicle: Documenting Women’s Progress

    Women Chronicle curates compelling narratives of resilience and success, offering women a dedicated space to share challenges and triumphs. The platform promotes awareness and sparks action for gender inclusivity.

    Women Saga: Celebrating Women’s Achievements

    Women Saga highlights outstanding contributions by women in science, technology, arts, and social work. By recognizing trailblazers, it motivates more women to break societal barriers and lead change.

    Women Bytes, Hello Women, She Circle, Women Square & India Saga

    These niche platforms—Women Bytes, Hello Women, She Circle, Women Square, and India Saga—offer diverse avenues for women’s stories, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing, fostering empowerment across communities and industries.

    DailyHunt & Flipboard: Expanding Digital Reach

    With massive reach across India, DailyHunt and Flipboard ensure that news, features, and stories from the initiative reach millions, influencing public discourse and making women’s empowerment a mainstream conversation.

    Conclusion

    The Women Empowerment Initiative Package is more than a campaign—it’s a movement. By uniting powerful voices and platforms, it aims to create an ecosystem where women are celebrated, supported, and given equal opportunities to lead. Through education, mentorship, media representation, and digital outreach, this initiative envisions a future where women’s potential is limitless and fully realized.

  • The 10 Richest & Most Influential Businesswomen Globally (2025)

    The 10 Richest & Most Influential Businesswomen Globally (2025)

    A definitive ranking of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential women shaping global business today.

    1. Alice Walton – The Artful Retail Heiress

    Net Worth: $101 billion
    As the sole daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Alice has parlayed her inheritance into cultural clout. Founder of Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, she’s expanded world‑class exhibitions into rural America and remains a leading philanthropist in arts and education.

    2. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – L’Oréal’s Visionary Heiress

    Net Worth: $81.6 billion
    At the helm of the world’s largest cosmetics empire, Françoise has driven L’Oréal’s expansion across Asia and championed sustainable beauty lines. As chair of her family’s holding company, she also funds scientific research and cultural initiatives worldwide.

    3. Julia Koch – The Low‑Profile Powerbroker

    Net Worth: $74.2 billion
    Inheriting a major stake in Koch Industries, Julia has stepped into boardroom prominence, guiding one of America’s largest private firms. A dedicated philanthropist, she supports education, medical research, and the arts—quietly yet decisively shaping multiple sectors.

    4. Abigail Johnson – Wall Street’s Fintech Pioneer

    Net Worth: $38 billion
    As CEO of Fidelity Investments—managing over $4.5 trillion in assets—Abigail has transformed the century‑old family firm into a fintech powerhouse. Under her leadership, Fidelity has embraced crypto, ESG investing, and cutting‑edge digital platforms.

    5. Gina Rinehart – Australia’s Mining Maverick

    Net Worth: $30 billion
    Turning her father’s faltering mining enterprise into Hancock Prospecting, Gina commands Australia’s iron ore and gas industries. A fierce voice on economic policy, she’s one of the nation’s richest and most influential industrialists.

    6. MacKenzie Scott – Philanthropy’s Disruptor

    Net Worth: $26.7 billion
    Since her divorce from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie has redefined billionaire giving—donating over $19 billion to 2,000+ organizations across racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and education. Her fast, unrestricted grants model is reshaping global philanthropy.

    7. Diane Hendricks – Self‑Made Construction Queen

    Net Worth: $22.3 billion
    From real estate agent and single mother to co‑founder of ABC Supply, Diane built America’s largest roofing distributor. A trailblazer in construction and conservative politics, her story exemplifies grit, vision, and entrepreneurial tenacity.

    8. Safra Catz – Oracle’s Strategic Powerhouse

    Net Worth: $2.6 billion
    As co‑CEO of Oracle, Safra has driven landmark acquisitions—PeopleSoft, Sun Microsystems, NetSuite—and steered the company’s cloud computing ambitions. Known for her fiscal acumen and decisive leadership, she ranks among tech’s most powerful executives.

    9. Rihanna – From Pop Icon to Beauty Billionaire

    Net Worth: $1.4 billion
    Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty shattered industry norms with 40+ foundation shades, while Savage X Fenty pioneered inclusive lingerie. Crowned the world’s youngest female billionaire in 2022, she stands at the intersection of entertainment, fashion, and commerce.

    10. Oprah Winfrey – The Empathy‑Driven Media Mogul

    Net Worth: $3 billion
    From her groundbreaking talk show to OWN network and Harpo Productions, Oprah built a multimedia empire. Her savvy investments—from WeightWatchers to Apple TV+—and her philanthropic initiatives continue to inspire and empower millions globally.

    These ten women exemplify the diverse paths to business success—inheritance turned cultural stewardship, self-made empires, and philanthropic innovation—each reshaping industries and setting new standards for female leadership in 2025.