| A serial entrepreneur and a mother of three now, Natasha Jain has been the driving force behind the success of Bent Chair. The duo of Neeraj and Natasha Jain has grown the company from being an online-only decor and furniture brand to having a flagship store in Delhi and 4 franchises around the country in the past 6 years. |
Q. What are some key experiences that you had growing up which have shaped you into the woman that you are today ?
I don’t think I recall some key experiences as such, but I give the credit to the people around me. I have been fortunate enough to be born into a family that has made it a priority to ensure that I was not bound by gender roles and norms. My family, education, peer group, colleagues, relationships, work, and now children, have shaped me into what I am today.
Q. What is the significance of International Women’s Day for you, useful or symbolic ?
For me, International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the strength that women possess, especially when I look out from my office to a team led mostly by women, growing by leaps and bounds. I see this strength, capability, and creativity every day in the cocoon I have built at Bent Chair, but this day serves as a beautiful reminder that there are other women out there doing equally great things.
Q. What are some of the challenges you feel are unique to women, even in today’s day and age ?
Men and women do not lead the same lives, even in today’s day and age and so, there are challenges that are unique to both genders. For women, the challenge to make their mark amongst a gender that has been, historically, taking the reigns all this while, is unique. Safety is, I believe, another challenge that is unique to women.
Q. What is one piece of advice you’d offer all women?
Have faith in yourself and your abilities. There will always be points in life when you may feel like you don’t have a choice, or nothing is going your way, but trust yourself to make sure that you stand right back up with your chin to the skies. You’re your own cheerleader and your own crutch.
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Q. Do you see a difference in how younger generations are dealing with gender stereotypes today ?
Absolutely, and I’m here for it! The younger generation is more vocal and aware of gender stereotypes in our society and it serves as a way to not only break away from it but to also teach the older generation how to do the same. It’s powerful and enlightening at the same time and I’m very supportive of it.
Q. Name one modern woman who inspires you.
I’d have to say Sheryl Sandberg in this case. Given my background in technology, I have always looked up to Sheryl, who made her way to the second-highest-ranking official at Meta, a company that was founded by a group of college boys and is predominantly governed by men. Before Meta, Sheryl was with Google and was well-involved in the company’s philanthropic arm. She has beautifully balanced this with her personal life, and has gone on to become one of the most influential women in the world.
Q. Do you believe you have succeeded in redefining the roles that gender play in your life ?
I have definitely tried, if not completely succeeded. I’m still learning (thanks to the younger generation) and so I still continue to redefine gender roles, but some roles have been too ingrained to overturn during one generation. There are multiple expectations and impressions of me, solely due to my gender, but I do believe that I have tried my utmost to redefine them. In some places, I’ve been successful and in others, well, I’m still at it!
Q. Do you believe it has gotten harder or easier to be a woman than it was a decade ago ?
It may be controversial, but I believe that it has been a bit of both. It’s become easier to be a woman in this day and age simply due to all the information and awareness that is there. We’re tackling gender inequality, awareness, harassment, and more for women, which has opened several avenues that were almost impossible to enter a decade ago. That said, some may say it has become more difficult because others may have higher expectations of them to achieve and make a mark. With so many avenues open, it may be confusing for some due to the lack of gender guidance. I hope this only becomes easier in decades to come.
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Q. A book or movie that you believe all women would benefit from consuming.
It may not seem all that much, but I’m tempted to say ‘The Intern’. Its portrayal of strong, independent women, running a business and recruiting a senior from the opposite gender is a bold statement in today’s world where women continue to fight for equal positions at work and have to fight even harder to be taken seriously by their peers.
Q. How has your idea of womanhood evolved over the years ?
I think it is safe to say that my idea of womanhood has pretty much taken a 180-degree turn over the years. As a child and young girl, my idea of womanhood was dependent on someone else; someone’s girlfriend, wife, mother, daughter, etc. Today, these roles play little in my idea of womanhood. Sure, I support women who play some or all of these roles but I no longer define them by the same.
Q. What is one thing that all women should celebrate?
Their womanhood and idea of the self! Women, as a gender, deserve to be celebrated in themselves.
Q. Roman Payne famously said “Never did the world make a queen of a girl who hides in houses and dreams without traveling.” do you agree that travel and exploration can result in both internal and external validation that women don’t often receive ?
Absolutely! I understand that not everyone has the opportunity to travel, but I do emphasise that if one does, she should definitely take it, especially solo travelling. Apart from being exposed to different cultures, thoughts, and ways of life, the exhilarating feeling of having planned and executed a trip can do wonders for one’s self-worth. I remember feeling a sense of achievement and ‘I-can-do-anything’ after I had planned and executed my first international solo trip. It made me believe in myself like nothing else.
