For our Ladies Who Lead series, the female founders of thriving global fashion labels share their journeys in design and their learnings along the way. Here, Saloni Lodha, founder of Saloni, a modern fashion label infused with her Indian heritage, discusses breaking the mould to establish her brand, the constant balancing act of being a founder and having a family, and the power of believing in yourself
What led you to start your own label?
I had grown up in India, lived in Hong Kong and just moved to London when I started the brand. In 2008, I realised that I really wanted to create a brand inspired by the rich heritage and colours of India but with a simpler, modern sensibility creating a wardrobe for the busy lives of women of my generation.
What are you still working on improving as a founder?
Becoming a mother as a founder of a small business where you don’t have the luxury of taking time off, I had to learn to balance and prioritise. This is still a work in progress because during the last 10 years I have moved to six different countries and across 10 different homes for my husband’s work. I am constantly learning how to be more efficient with my time.
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Were there any specific challenges you faced as a woman along the way?
Most of my life when I was growing up in a traditional Indian family I was told that I could not go to university or work because I am a girl. My life was meant to be all about studying religion and getting into an arranged marriage. Breaking that mould was huge for me. Later in my life, as I grew the business and brought in external investors I faced some challenges, but it made me tough. I feel I got my own MBA in that process.
In hindsight, what is something you wish you knew that could have helped you?
If somebody told my younger self I would be doing what I do I wouldn’t believe them. I wish I knew the power of believing in yourself. Everyone tells you to but it is not so easy to do. I had to work hard at it. I didn’t go to a fashion or business school so I just had to learn to do things my own way.
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