In a powerful and deeply personal address at the HerRising 2024 event in Gurugram, Priyanka Gill, Venture Partner at Kalaari Capital, challenged long-standing beliefs about the impact of career breaks on women’s professional growth. Sharing her own life journey, she encouraged women to view breaks not as setbacks, but as opportunities to reset and continue their careers with renewed focus.
She founded POPxo, a digital community for millennial women, in 2014. The platform later merged with MyGlamm in 2020, leading to her role as co-founder of the Good Glamm Group and CEO of Good Media Co. Today, her career story stands as an inspiration for millions of women navigating the complexities of balancing personal life with professional aspirations.
During her speech, Priyanka highlighted the unconventional nature of her career path, saying: “When I first started working, I put in extra hours every month. I returned to India and realized that there is no standard path to life—it’s not cookie-cutter, not one-size-fits-all. We’re all on our own unique, individual, and wonderful journeys, and that’s what we should celebrate.”
Priyanka, who married at 20 and only began her professional journey at 32, exemplifies this outlook. “Until the age of 32, I hadn’t held a formal job. If you had given my CV to an HR person back then, it wouldn’t have looked great. I had worked as a freelance writer and managed various projects, but there was no formal employment. So, as an employer, when you’re interviewing candidates, it’s important to ask them about their journeys. They may have gone through or achieved something remarkable that would make them a great asset to your company,” she added.
She further shared: “When POPxo took off, over the next 10 years, I managed to raise $1 million. More than 16 million women have engaged with the platforms we created. Our team grew to nearly 300 people. In 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic when the world was shut down, POPxo was acquired. I became a co-founder of the Good Glamm Group. We raised $250 million in just a year, acquired 10 companies, and hit a valuation of $1 billion. I firmly believe the reason for our success isn’t because there’s something special about me. In fact, there’s nothing extraordinary about most people who achieve big things. The key is to keep going, do the work, and inspire others by showing that it can be done.”
Drawing from her own experience, she explained how her family’s belief in education was a cornerstone of her development, even though she started her formal career much later than most. Her message to the audience was clear: “It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.”
She also spoke about the power of networks and the role of mentorship in her success, giving a nod to Vani Kola, her first investor and mentor, who later invited her to join Kalaari Capital as a venture partner. “The people you meet on your journey can be pivotal in shaping your path,” she said, encouraging women to lean on their networks and seek out mentors who can offer support and guidance.
Priyanka Gill Shares Her Mantra for Success
Priyanka Gill also shared her mantra for a successful career with the crowd. Here are the key takeaways from her address:
- Tapping into one’s network is crucial for growth. Building connections and relying on the community are key factors, as networking is considered a powerful tool. Seeking support during the journey is encouraged.
- Big goals should be broken down into smaller, manageable tasks. Consistent progress and tracking are essential steps toward achieving success.
- Practicing gratitude can be transformative. Ending the day by reflecting on moments of happiness helps maintain focus on the positive and stay grounded.
- Happiness is a choice that individuals can cultivate. Regardless of challenges, adopting a mindset geared toward happiness is within one’s control.
- Everyone has the ability to shape their own narrative. With persistence and self-belief, achieving dreams is entirely possible.
