Malika Sadani On Bringing Toxin-Free Products To The Forefront Of India’s Baby Care Industry

After spending a couple of years in London, Malika Sadani returned to India in 2012 and she was in for a rude shock. There was a dearth of dependable baby care brands in the country and both her kids were suffering from the side effects of toxic personal care products. This prompted Malika to scout for natural alternatives that could take care of their skincare needs. What she found instead was a huge gap in the alarmingly nascent baby care industry in India. Consequently, The Moms Co. was born in 2017 out of Malika’s need to give the best to her daughters. Just four years after its inception, the brand has already crossed the coveted Rs 100 crore revenue run rate and they are just getting started. 

The Moms Co.’s award-winning range of products serves over 1 million moms across 15,000 pin codes. Malika’s ‘no nasties’ philosophy has won her accolades as well as several awards including a coveted space in the Business World 40 Under 40 list. Surprisingly, entrepreneurship was never a part of Malika’s life plan. As someone who believes that every problem has a solution, Malika just forayed into the field, driven by her conviction. “I was really bothered about the unavailability of good quality natural products and taking the plunge to create them myself is the reason why I am here today,” she shares.

The past four years have been equal parts rewarding and arduous for Malika. She wanted products that adhered to the toughest global standards and convincing partners on the same was tough. However, Malika refused to compromise on her vision and did not shy away from asking for help whenever she needed it. Today, The Moms Co. has a team of experts across India, Australia, and Switzerland working together to create the best-in-class natural products for skin, hair, and baby care. All their offerings are dermatologically tested, certified toxin-free, certified Made Safe by Safe Cosmetics Australia and cruelty-free. For Malika, The Moms Co. is like her third child. The brand is now set to touch new heights with the Good Glamm Group acquiring The Moms Co. This marks India’s largest DTC transaction to date in the beauty and personal care segment. With this move, Malika aims to expand The Moms Co.’s presence not just in India, but across the world. 

It is innovators and creators like Malika we have been celebrating in our #POPxoWomenWhoWin series and her success story is definitely worth sharing. In a recent chat with POPxo, Malika talked about her entrepreneurial journey and her commitment to creating toxin-free products. Excerpts below:

How do you begin your day?

I am not a very early morning person but still try to get a lot done before I start my day. Exercise for me is an instant mood lifter and helps me get my boost of energy, setting me up for the day. I spend time getting my daughters ready for school, finishing some errands, and then head to work. 

What does a typical workday look like for you?

As a founder, no two days are the same. You will always reach work with a new set of challenges and on certain days accomplishments. But I like to keep things planned. I spend time at night making a list of things I’d like to get done during the next day, drafting emails that need to be sent out in the morning and prioritizing tasks. This helps me be very clear on what needs to be done. My days usually start with internal check-ins with the teams, followed by back-to-back meetings.

How did you begin your entrepreneurial journey?

When my daughter had her first skin reaction, I realised that there was a dearth of natural, safe, and effective products in India. After speaking with over 200 women, I realised there was a growing need for natural and safe products but there weren’t many options. I wondered – why should it be so difficult to find a natural and safe lotion? The Moms Co. was born out of my personal need to address this problem and to provide natural, non-toxic, cruelty-free products that were both safe and effective. Products that women could use without worrying about any nasties.

What has been a turning point in your career? 

I am an engineer turned investment banker turned entrepreneur. The turning point for me was starting my entrepreneurship journey with no knowledge of skincare. My personal struggle to find nothing but the best for my daughters is what kept me going and they are my constant motivation to do better. 

What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?  

Entrepreneurship was never a part of my life plan but was the best professional decision I have taken. I was really bothered about the unavailability of good quality Natural products and taking the plunge to create them myself is the reason why I am here today. It was a sector that was new for me and a journey no one in my family had ever taken but just deciding to believe in myself and working hard towards making it a success is what I would say has been a huge step 🙂

What would you say are the key skills or qualities that have helped you succeed?

Resilience. I strongly believe that every problem has a solution. I see challenges as a learning experience. Whenever I find myself in a tough situation, I work towards understanding it and resolving it. Every challenge teaches you something and if we go back and look at what these challenges have taught us, we would all realise how truly enriching the experiences are.  

A mantra that you swear by in your professional and personal life?

Believe in yourself, dream big & don’t be afraid to make your dreams come true. In this process, you’ll need help, often. Don’t be afraid to ask for help because it isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. 

Would you say you have faced challenges as a woman entrepreneur?

When we started, it was difficult for me to get people to align with our vision. We wanted to create natural, toxin-free products that adhered to the toughest global safety standards and convincing partners on the same was often tough. I remember being questioned on if I was going to run the company alone or how would I find the time to do this with young kids. Over the last 4 years, we have come a long way. People have now started believing in my vision of creating high-quality products that don’t compromise on the safety of any ingredient or product we make. The world is full of men trying to build businesses around women’s needs. Women understand other women’s needs better, it’s time they create businesses for the same. 

What would be your advice to young women entrepreneurs? 

Remember, you deserve the best and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Dream big & don’t be afraid to work hard to make them come true. Think about what example you would want to set for other women.

What kind of future do you envision for The Moms Co.? Can you tell us about the recent MyGlamm-The Moms Co. acquisition? 

With the recent partnership, we are super excited to have very large access to both online and offline distribution. The Moms Co. has always been a brand led by content, community, and trust in the brand and we are excited about engaging with over 100mn base of community users of the Good Glamm Group. 

Featured Image Courtesy: Malika Sadani