‘Biggest risk is not taking…’: Mamaearth’s Ghazal Alagh shares 3 lessons on overcoming ‘rejection’
Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh recently shared how “rejection” became a constant companion while launching parent company Honasa Consumer Ltd. According to the 37-year-old entrepreneur, when the idea of venturing into entrepreneurship first took root, he faced disapproval and rejection from those closest to him.
Describing the difficult journey and countless setbacks that she and her husband Varun Alagh faced when they started building their brand house nine years ago, she says, “Rejection is not a one-time event, it is a daily reality that you have to befriend.”
Motivating and inspiring budding entrepreneurs, he said, “As a founder, you will be rejected many times.”
“I was told not to risk what I already had; that starting a business, especially in the competitive consumer goods space, was too risky for a new mom with no experience,” the Oct. 13 LinkedIn post says.
Describing this life experience as the “first lesson” of rejection, he said: “Security doesn’t build an empire; it builds courage.” He also explained that potential investors ignored his ideas and vision because they did not believe in the corporate trainer’s ability to scale a brand based on transparency and toxin-free ingredients.
Reasons for ‘Rejection’
He listed 2 reasons for his rejection:
- Not being able to trust the solution depending on the size of the problem.
- A strong belief that a D2C brand cannot disrupt the giants.
Despite numerous rejections, brutal feedback, and the departure of several employees, the co-founders were determined to achieve their dreams and believed in their goals.
Narrating the fundraising experience that negatively targeted her confidence, she said, “They didn’t want to work with a woman leader with no experience within this category and clearly doubted my capability to run a fast-growing company. They had internalized biases about who a founder ‘should’ be, and I didn’t fit that mould.”
How to overcome ‘rejection’?
He listed three tips for dealing with rejection:
1. Treat It as Data, Not a Decision: “Rejection is not a decision about you, but feedback on your strategy,” he said.
2. Focus on a “Yes”: He suggested that entrepreneurs not lose motivation due to rejections, but instead hold on to the vision and focus on success.
3. Use It as a Filter: “It helps you filter out people who don’t quite fit your mission,” he emphasized, adding, “People who stay with us, believe in us, and grow with us are the real champions.”
Reiterating her stance, she wrote: “My journey of rejection has taught me that the biggest risk is not taking any risks at all.”
