Women entrepreneurs are on the rise and shaping every industry. Especially in the world of the textile, women entrepreneurs are weaving their success stories. With creativity and tenacity, they're revolutionizing fabrics, fashion, and business practices, leaving an indelible mark on this vibrant sector. The story of Sapna Kusumgar, Jt. Managing Director of Kusumgar Corporates is one that inspires future generation.

It all began after Sapna completed her civil engineering degree; she found herself at a crossroads. Marriage marked the commencement of a new chapter, with the choice between pursuing further studies or entering the workforce. Two years prior, her husband had embarked on their family business journey, presenting an alluring opportunity. Despite her distant background from textiles, she embraced the leap.

Her initial role centered around researching and marketing geosynthetics; a field intricately linked to civil engineering. The phase was thrilling as she immersed herself in the technical nuances of the industry. As time elapsed, she unearthed the latent potential of their company. It became evident that unlocking optimum growth required a professionalized and institutionalized approach.

This realization prompted a pivotal choice—to embark on an MBA journey. The aspiration was to bridge the management gap within the company, infusing it with a fresh operational dimension. While the path was arduous, the knowledge and insights she amassed were transformative. Armed with novel perspectives and strategic finesse, she re-entered the business realm, brimming with renewed enthusiasm.

As the years progressed, her endeavors seamlessly intertwined with the company's evolution. The decision to combine her engineering foundation with business acumen emerged as a turning point. Streamlining processes, embracing innovation, and broadening horizons reshaped the company's trajectory. Today, she stands as a testament to the potent synergy of diverse skills converging, propelling success within the dynamic realm of the textile industry.

In this interview with Women Entrepreneurs, Sapna shares her insights into her professional journey.

“Believe in yourself & your abilities, & never let anyone tell you that you can't do something”

What are the key challenges you face as a leader in the Indian technical textile sector, and how do you overcome them?

The technical textile sector in India is fast-growing, but it also comes with its own challenges. One of the challenges is the ever-changing market dynamics, especially post-COVID. Decision-making becomes crucial in identifying new technologies and markets to tap into. Additionally, India is grabbing attention as a sourcing destination. For us, being traditionally a labor-intensive industry, bringing in process predictability through automations and quality reliability through data driven approach while keeping costs competitive is important. Infrastructure and supply chain issues are also standard challenges we face.

To stay ahead of the competition, we stay connected to the market by interacting with various stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, and potential customers. We attend trade fairs and industry events to gain valuable insights into market trends and dynamics. We remain progressive in our mindset and drive innovations and market leadership through our people first approach.

What would you say is your success mantra?

My success mantra centers around purposeful action and meaningful impact. I strive to understand the underlying 'why' of everything.

Whether it’s exploring opportunities or overcoming challenges, I see every endeavor as a chance to evolve and grow wiser. Every path I navigate I pursue to be authentic to my core values and practice purposeful leadership.

What’s your leadership approach toward your business?

My leadership style is People-First, and I am very contextual and progressive in my approach. As a woman in manufacturing, I have successfully led and contributed to a family business for over 20 years. Professionalizing the company by introducing necessary structures and processes, bringing in digitization in traditional textile manufacturing has I believe significantly accelerated our growth capability. People Centric policies and practices is increasingly making Kusumgar a preferred company to work for.

Do you have any advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs or business leaders?

I would strongly encourage aspiring women entrepreneurs and leaders to embrace their aspirations boldly, unburdened by any sense of guilt. Achieving your goals, will not only enrich your own life but also ripple out positively to inspire and uplift those around you. Fill your bucket yourself. Your happiness will create happiness around you. While striking a balance between personal and professional commitments is crucial, it's equally vital not to let go of your dreams.

Sapna Kusumgar, Director, Kusumgar Corporates

With 22+ years of experience in Indian textiles, Sapna excels in roles from operations to strategy. She is a catalyst for process excellence at Kusumgar Corporates, prioritizing people-driven growth. A life coach, a Philanthropist, passionate about outdoor adventures and spirituality.