The Supermodel Philanthropist
Entrepreneur magazine|January - February 2020
Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova, recognised for her philanthropic and advocacy work, founded her charity organisation Naked Heart Foundation 15 years ago to tackle the stigma of disability. This year, she launched Elbi India, the country’s first philanthropic rewards-based subscription service in the form of a digital platform. In a conversation with Entrepreneur India, she spills her heart out on making philanthropy fun, rewarding and cool.
The Supermodel Philanthropist

Take us through your entrepreneurial journey.

It might sound surprising but I’ve had this entrepreneurial approach since early childhood. I knew I had to do something to support my single mother and sister with cerebral palsy and autism. I started selling fruits at the local market when I was 11 and then helped my mother set up her own fruit stall. Since my modelling journey, I have always held this approach — give back to society and to try and help as many people in need as I can through my ventures.

Most of the funding goes to all-male founder teams in the UK, as per recent reports. What, according to you, then are the struggles of female entrepreneurs?

Unfortunately, female entrepreneurs aren’t considered equal to their male counterparts in certain industries. The rise of so many female entrepreneurs all over the world, especially in India, is very encouraging.

Once more and more female-founded businesses perform well, people and investors will be encouraged to invest more money into their enterprises. We need to encourage and educate women on entrepreneurial practices across all levels. For example, Elbi is partnering with several like-minded organisations to bring about business training for women in rural areas of India as part of a fundraising project. We hope to reach a million girls with this programme.

Which start-ups have you invested in?

Denne historien er fra January - February 2020-utgaven av Entrepreneur magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January - February 2020-utgaven av Entrepreneur magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINESe alt
How To Ask Family For Money
Entrepreneur magazine

How To Ask Family For Money

Your friends-and-family fundraising round doesn't have to be scary and awkward. Here's advice from one of the world's leading investors.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Data Breach Drama: When Trust Turns Costly In A Digital Age
Entrepreneur magazine

Data Breach Drama: When Trust Turns Costly In A Digital Age

Amid data breaches surges, Indian businesses are prone to financial and reputational fallout. Can cyber insurance emerge as a safeguard?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
THE TERRAIN TAMER
Entrepreneur magazine

THE TERRAIN TAMER

Spearheading a California-based, Series D SaaS company is no easy feat. It requires a blend of ownership, innovation, and the ability to handle stress. But Anand Jain, co-founder and chief product officer of Clever Tap, finds his calm by escaping to rough terrain whenever he gets the chance-be it India or Colombia.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
THE INTELLIGENT READS
Entrepreneur magazine

THE INTELLIGENT READS

Hardika Shah founded Kinara Capital in 2011 with the mission to address the acute credit gap in the micro-small-medium-enterprises (MSME) sector in India, by providing fast and flexible business capital to small business entrepreneurs. Despite operating in highly competitive and tough market of collateral free loans, Kinara Capital has been steadily growing in Hardika's leadership. In conversation with Entrepreneur, Hardika shares insights on her favourite books.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
THE CURSE OF GROWING TOO FAST
Entrepreneur magazine

THE CURSE OF GROWING TOO FAST

FAIRE is a platform for small businesses, but it grew big the wrong way-almost becoming a $12 billion wreck. Here's how it fixed the problem, and why you should think twice before skyrocketing.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
There's No Perfect Answer
Entrepreneur magazine

There's No Perfect Answer

I worked the same job for 19 years. I hated it, but it paid the bills. Then, in 2017, I entertained an exciting but terrifying question: Could I be an entrepreneur? I wasn't sure, so I needed something that felt like a guarantee. I searched for signs that would feel like a big, clear \"yes!\"

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Give Yourself the Gift of Time
Entrepreneur magazine

Give Yourself the Gift of Time

Happy holidays! Emmy Award-winning tech expert Mario Armstrong has five recs to get more hours in the day.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
How to Become a Main Street Millionaire
Entrepreneur magazine

How to Become a Main Street Millionaire

It started when I bought one little laundromat. Now I have a whole portfolio of small local businesses that bring in tens of millions in revenue a year. Here's why following my playbook could be your ticket to financial freedom-and saving America's local small businesses.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Want to Better Serve Your Clients? Become Them.
Entrepreneur magazine

Want to Better Serve Your Clients? Become Them.

As a designer for brands, starting my own product company gave me a dose of humility-and it changed the way I relate to clients.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
How to Succeed With Gen Z Workers
Entrepreneur magazine

How to Succeed With Gen Z Workers

People often say that younger employees are different. But are they? We asked six business leaders what they've learned, and how their teams thrive.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024