A HAND TO HOLD

India’s leading business stalwarts, performers, and creative artists talk about their mentors—teachers, gurus, and guides—who motivated them to fulfill their professional destiny.

- Humra Afroz Khan

MALIKA SADANI

Founder and CEO, The Moms Co.

My journey to becoming an entrepreneur found its genesis in a personal struggle when my one-year-old daughter developed a skin reaction to the chemicals in her moisturizer. That was when I realized that there was a dearth of natural, safe, and effective skincare, haircare, and baby care products in India, and so I decided to create them myself.

I met Nandu Nandkishore when The Moms Co. was still an idea in my head. My husband and I were looking to start the company and were wondering how to raise our first round of funds to get it off the ground. We had been speaking to family and friends, and someone put us in touch with Nandu. He had recently retired as a global board member at Nestlé, after having spent more than 30 years building consumer brands in countries around the world.

I remember, when I first met him, he made me write down all my struggles and why I wanted to launch The Moms Co.. I wondered how that would help, only to realize later that the exercise had made me even more determined, and my desire to start the company, stronger.

NANDU NANDKISHORE

Advisory Board, Vyntelligence