What these young women leaders say about being a woman in the 21st century

The new brigade of young women entrepreneurs are the new trendsetters. From fashion, tech, wedding planning, photography to real estate, interior designing, they have got their footsteps in spaces one wouldn’t have thought of. There’s fresh energy flowing in their system, there’s life, passion, conviction and a sense of purpose in their ideas and complete madness to strike the goals they have set out for.

Failure doesn’t have a place here. Breaking all barriers, these girls are out fiercely chasing their dreams. Some of them already have, while a few have set out too early – in their 20s. The belief to do something and be known for it is almost INFECTIOUS!

And so, on a day which has been voicing the plight and achievements of women for more than a century, what better could I serve to you than the strong voice and purpose of four such young women entrepreneurs who have taken the plunge and are encouraging others to not let their dreams die because "now is the time to go after them."

Here's what the women leaders of tomorrow have to say. Read on:

BUILD YOUR IDENTITY

“I have been raised in an environment where it’s important for women to work and lead a balanced life. A women should have her own identity apart from being someone’s mother, daughter, sister or wife. It helps to have a professional goal in life and to be able to balance your lifestyle. Also, the journey becomes easier when you are financially independent. We were taught to be independent by our parents so that we could take ownership of our future ourselves, says Sana Chopra, Executive Director of Carl’s Jr. India, a California based burger chain.

“A lot do with the environment that I have been raised in. One beautiful thing I have seen is my dad encouraging my mother to work. When she got married, shehad finished her college. It was my dad who pushed my mother to work. So, males in the house can contribute some value if they encourage females in their house to work,” she adds.

DO NOT OVERTHINK, JUST TRUST YOUR INSTINCT AND GO FOR IT

“The problem is that women overthink. We like to plan everything out before taking a step. Therefore, we are less impulsive compared to men. My advice is sometimes, if there’s a gut feeling, trust your instinct and take the leap,” says Mehak Shahani, co –founder of WedMeGood, an online wedding portal and app.

Working in the tech space, Mehak feels, it provides a great level playing field for men as well as women. “Nothing here matters as much as your product. If you want to do a startup don’t think too much. You cannot plan as its full of risks and you react as and when they come to you. So just go for it if you believe in yourself,” she says.

CARRY YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO

Anvita of Confidential Couture who started her online portal for buying and selling pre-owned luxury products when she was 23 years old says she’s a chill boss.

“I have a young team who keep throwing ideas at me. I play the friendly person to them. I feel the company is as much to them as it is to me. They are a part of the core decision making processes,” she says.

Ask her what’s her idea of a woman in a leadership role and pat comes the reply: CONFIDENCE. “You need to know where to be and what to be. If I am behaving or dressed in not so apt way for a certain place, my confidence can take off the attention from my clothes. If you go with that attitude, nobody can do anything to you. That’s my advice to every woman starting out early in life. It’s worked so far for me. Carry your attitude up your sleeves and you will be fine,” she says.

CREATE WITH CONVICTION, HARDWORK AND PATIENCE

“Throughout history women have always been the stronger gender. Men and women both have been given equal brain power by nature. It is upto every individual to evolve and be able to use maximum of their capability. Women by large and by default are the ones who are more in touch with their feelings. The combination of this ability with the honed skills of logic makes them more suitable for leadership roles,” says Harsheen Arora, co-founder of The V Renaissance – Bespoke art and luxury.

“I personally never thought of my decision as taking the plunge. My focus has always just been to create. I think it is important to have an inclination towards creating something on your own and following it through. Business stems from a mindset. I think the mantra should be - conviction, hard-work and a lot of patience!” she says.