Mamaearth’s Ghazal Alagh Breaks Down What It Really Takes to Build a Startup

Building a startup is often romanticized in pop culture as an overnight success story, but few understand the grit, resilience, and endless iterations it takes to truly make it work. Ghazal Alagh, the co-founder of Mamaearth, recently opened up in a candid interview about the real journey behind creating one of India’s most beloved D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) beauty and wellness brands.

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A Personal Problem Sparked a Business Idea

Ghazal Alagh’s entry into entrepreneurship wasn’t driven by trends or market gaps—it was born out of a personal struggle. When her son suffered from skin allergies, Ghazal and her husband Varun Alagh found it hard to locate toxin-free baby care products in India. That gap led to the founding of Mamaearth in 2016, with a mission to create safe, natural, and chemical-free personal care products for families.

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Ghazal recalls, “It all started with a mother’s need. I didn’t have a business degree or a roadmap, but I had the determination to solve a real problem for millions of parents like us.”

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The Startup Struggle: Sleepless Nights & Relentless Hustle

In her breakdown of the startup journey, Ghazal doesn’t mince words—success doesn’t come easy. The early days involved long hours, constant R&D, frequent rejections from retailers and investors, and a fair share of self-doubt.

“There were days when we questioned everything,” she shared. “From supply chain glitches to customer trust issues—it was all about failing fast and fixing faster.”

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She emphasized that building a startup requires not just vision, but extreme adaptability. “What works today might not work tomorrow. You have to keep evolving.”

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The Power of Listening: Consumer Feedback is Gold

One of the key pillars of Mamaearth’s growth has been its obsession with customer feedback. Ghazal emphasized that being close to the consumer is not optional—it’s critical.

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“Every product we launch is backed by data and real customer conversations. We never assume we know it all—we listen, iterate, and improve constantly,” she explained.

Building a Brand with Purpose

Mamaearth wasn’t just about creating products; it was about building a purpose-led brand. Ghazal insisted that modern consumers don’t just buy products—they buy into values. That’s why sustainability and social impact (like their plant-a-tree initiative for every order) became central to their identity.

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“It’s not enough to sell, you have to stand for something. For us, it’s safety, sustainability, and honesty,” she said.

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Advice to Aspiring Founders: “Start Small, Stay Consistent”

Ghazal’s message to budding entrepreneurs is refreshingly grounded: “Don’t chase unicorn status from day one. Focus on solving a problem well, build your credibility, and be patient.”

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She also highlighted the importance of mental wellness, saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Entrepreneurship can be draining—take care of yourself.”

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Final Takeaway

Ghazal Alagh’s journey with Mamaearth is a testament to what truly goes into building a startup. It’s not just about a great idea—it’s about execution, empathy, resilience, and an unwavering focus on creating value.

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As she puts it, “Anyone can dream big, but only those who wake up every day ready to do the hard work will see those dreams turn into reality.”