Kiran Shaw Inspiration: A pioneer in the biotech industry, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is India’s richest self-made woman. She is the recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards but didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. Inspired by her father, she aspired to become a brew master. To fulfil her dream, she got a Master’s Degree in Malting and Brewing from Melbourne University. But unfortunately, no company hired women in the position of a brewing master.
However, this didn’t stop her from moving ahead. The then 25-year-old Mazumdar-Shaw who was seen as a ‘huge investment risk’ was determined to prove her mettle. It has been 43 years since she founded Biocon India and continues to motivate budding entrepreneurs. Through her journey, the ‘accidental entrepreneur’ delivers the message that perseverance pays off.
Kiran Shaw inspiration: 5 reasons to watch out for
1. She broke gender stereotypes at an early age
At an interview with Femina, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said that training as a brew master was a bold decision for the 70s. She gained confidence and self-assurance when She topped the class at Federation University, Australia where she studied malting and brewing. Mazumdar Shaw was the only woman amongst 10 men. She then realised that one’s gender should not matter when it comes to choosing a course or career. “Knowledge is democratic; it’s up to you to learn, and develop competence in anything you put your mind to,” she added in an interview with Femina.
2. Her determination to succeed in a man’s world
After Mazumdar Shaw returned to India, she was ready to pursue a career in brewing. However, no one was willing to hire a woman at a managerial role. At the most, they entrusted her with troubleshooting. Though she tried repeatedly, the male-dominated industry was not ready to take ‘risks’. She then began looking for jobs in the international market. Around this time, it was an accidental encounter with an Irish biotech entrepreneur that prompted her to start Biocon. “If you ask me how I did it, it’s because temperamentally, I was strong,” she said. She was determined to make a success of herself in a man’s world.
3. She faced challenges but didn’t give up
Mazumdar Shaw’s journey was not easy. She was a financial risk for banks as they thought she didn’t have collateral to offer them. The authorities felt that she lacked relevant experience. Coming to the potential recruits, they believed that a woman employer could not give them stability. She went from one bank to the other but with no result. After a long time, a bank manager agreed to help her by extending a credit line. This enabled her to hire two retired tractor mechanics who were looking for income. She rented an industrial shed, brought the required equipment, and started the company.
4. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw started her company in a garage!
At the age of 25, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw started my company in a garage. This failed to evoke confidence in candidates. Pratima Rao, a friend of hers, took a break from her job to provide her with secretarial support. Now she is the mission director of Biocon Foundation. Mazumdar Shaw proved the naysayers wrong by starting from scratch and making Biocon one of India’s largest biopharmaceutical company.
5. Message for inspiring entrepreneurs
As per Mazumdar Shaw, one must be true to oneself and endure to succeed. They should focus on the journey and not the end goal. She suggest them not to shift from one idea to another. Moreover, one should not think of becoming an entrepreneur to get rich quickly. There are youngsters who are in a hurry to get to the market but many of them don’t make it. She firmly believes that there are no shortcuts.