How I Met My Tribe.

You know that moment when you realize something's missing, but you can't quite put your finger on it? That was me a couple of years back, feeling somewhat adrift in the entrepreneurial world. I kept thinking about my previous startup experience, where I watched the CEO effortlessly tap into this incredible network—lawyers, marketers, finance experts, all just a phone call away. When I asked myself if I had that kind of network, the answer was a resounding no!

But here's the thing about gaps—they're also opportunities. What started as a simple lunch meetup with a few women entrepreneurs turned into something none of us saw coming.

The Birth of Ladies Who Launch

Picture this: March 2023, a room full of 30+ women entrepreneurs, each with their unique stories. There was the aspiring yoga instructor, the health and wellness enthusiast, the chai innovator, and me—determined to reshape how the world views HR and eliminate toxic work culture from Indian businesses. We had sustainability champions and financial wellness experts, all brought together by one simple truth: we needed our tribe.

From the very beginning, we were clear about one thing—this couldn't be just another networking event. We've all been to those one-off mixers that lead nowhere, right? We needed a purpose, even if we weren't quite sure what that purpose was yet.

The Criticism & The Uncomfortable Truth

"Why do you need a women-only community?" "Isn't this against the principle of equality?" "Are you just organizing kitty parties?" "Are men not allowed?" "Shouldn't we be pushing for more integration, not separation?" "Isn't the real world mixed-gender anyway?"

The questions—and sometimes accusations—came from everywhere, including friends and family as we tread on this journey. ?Someone even dismissed it in a rather condescending LinkedIn comment.

But you know that gut feeling that tells you you're onto something important? That's what kept us going.

Here's something I've learned to embrace: Sometimes, what looks like a step backwards to others is actually a leap forward. Yes, we're a women-only community. Yes, that might seem counterintuitive to some. But in our current ecosystem, where not everyone starts with the same advantages—be it money, networks, or opportunities—creating a space where women can truly support each other isn't just nice to have, it's necessary.

What I've discovered is that sometimes, creating a separate space isn't about stepping back—it's about creating a foundation to step forward more confidently. In our current business ecosystem, the playing field isn't as level as we'd like to believe. It's not just about obvious barriers; it's about those subtle disadvantages that accumulate over time. It's about the networks that were built in spaces we weren't traditionally part of, the unwritten rules we weren't taught, and the confidence that comes from seeing people like you succeed.

Beyond Networking: Building Real Value

The beauty of this community isn't just in what we do—it's in how we do it. We're very intentional and selective about adding new members, ensuring values align. We're not-for-money, channelling all funds back into the community. And most importantly, we show up—week after week, month after month, quarter after quarter!

This community has taught me invaluable lessons about growth mindset, understanding your ideal customer profile, and marketing strategies. I credit much of my progress with my current venture all things talent , to the learnings from this group.

The Power of Showing Up

Two years later, that gut feeling has been validated a hundred times over. We've grown from 30 to 100+ members, but numbers only tell part of the story.

What really matters is what happens when women support women - Other than showing up for each other, helping with all aspects of business, coaching, guiding, training the community on our expertise, brainstorming solutions, giving references and shoutouts.

We got speed-dial connections that actually deliver.

Lessons from Building a Community

Unlearning Perfection: Remember in my first newsletter when I talked about being the "perfect child," always striving for validation? Well, building Ladies Who Launch taught me something surprising—leadership isn't about having all the answers. Here's what I discovered: the community wasn't looking for perfection—they were looking for connection.

The Many Faces of Success: One of the most eye-opening aspects of building this community has been watching women define success on their terms. For some, it's about hitting ambitious revenue targets. For others, it's finding that elusive work-life balance or simply staying sane in the entrepreneurial chaos. In our community, we've learned to celebrate all kinds of victories, big and small. Because success isn't a one-size-fits-all destination; it's as unique as each woman's journey.

The Unexpected Power of Vulnerability: In Ladies Who Launch, I've seen this truth magnified: When someone shares their struggles—whether it's dealing with self-doubt, juggling mom guilt, or recovering from a business setback—something magical happens. The walls come down, and real connections are made. In a world that keeps telling us to "fake it till you make it," we've created a space where it's okay to say, "I'm figuring it out too." And isn't that what we all really need?

Growth Lives Outside Your Comfort Zone: Starting this community (with 5 other amazing women of course) pushed me way outside my comfort zone. Did I see myself as someone who would create a community? Absolutely Not! Did I hesitate before taking this step? You bet I did. But just like those early life decisions that shaped my life, sometimes the best growth happens when we're uncomfortable.

Looking Forward

We often ask ourselves if we'll continue this journey, especially since it's not a money-making venture. But when we see the value it creates—the connections made, the businesses grown, the confidence built—we know the answer. Maybe someday this community will enable something bigger, but for now, it's doing exactly what it needs to do: providing a space where women entrepreneurs can find their tribe, their voice, and their path to success.

This newsletter you're reading? It exists because of the power I drew from this community. Those monthly mixers, the raw conversations, and the unwavering support gave me the courage to share my unfiltered journey. When I hit "publish" on my first edition, it was with the same spirit of authenticity that our community champions—being real, being vulnerable, and being ourselves. Sometimes the greatest gift a community can give you is the confidence to tell your story, exactly as it is.

Remember that CEO with everyone on speed dial? Now I am that person. And so are a hundred other women in our community. That's the power of building something bigger than yourself.

Share your thoughts: Have you ever been part of a community that changed your professional journey? What made it special? Let me know in the comments.

#womeninbusiness #ladieswholaunch #Shemeansbusiness

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