Chanda Lokendra is an extraordinary women, leader, and believer of social good. She is a Sustainable Period Care Advocate, Empowering Menstruators and leads Lizzom, considered as RetailME most admired startup in MENA.
As the Founder of LiZZOM, a lifestyle period care company, she has built a unique brand that is committed to being Natural, Organic and Sustainable.
LiZZOM makes periods a safer time of the month for women as well as for the environment with their all-natural, plastic-free period care solutions. As a truly committed socially responsible organisation, the company gives one pad to sisters in need for every product sold at LiZZOM empowering women to help fellow women overcome period poverty.
We ask her about her journey as a first-generation entrepreneur who broke myths, pushed several boundaries, and built a super successful healthcare company on her personal passion and purpose.
As a first-generation entrepreneur; how was your initial journey as you were setting up Lizzom? When and how did you know that you wanted to venture into women’s health?
My journey with Lizzom was deeply personal and driven by a profound sense of purpose. Losing a friend to uterine cancer was a devastating experience that sparked a desire within me to make a meaningful impact in women’s health. It wasn’t just about building a business; it was about honouring her memory and helping other women avoid similar struggles. The initial stages of setting up Lizzom were incredibly challenging, as is often the case with any entrepreneurial endeavour.
From securing funding to navigating regulatory hurdles, every step seemed to present a new obstacle. However, amidst the chaos, I found solace in the knowledge that I was working towards something greater than myself. The decision to focus on women’s health was a combination of both natural progression and strategic planning. On one hand, my personal experience with loss directed my attention towards the critical issues facing women’s health. On the other hand, I recognized the market opportunity and the lack of innovative solutions in this space. It became clear to me that there was a pressing need for products and services that catered specifically to women’s unique health needs.
Through careful research and strategic planning, I homed in on areas where Lizzom could make the most impact. Ultimately, the journey with LiZZOM has been a testament to the power of patience and persistence. While there were undoubtedly moments of doubt and uncertainty, staying true to our vision and remaining consistent in our efforts has allowed us to overcome countless obstacles along the way.
You have seen tremendous recognition and success in the past few years. How does growth and success change one’s leadership style?
Experiencing significant growth and success can certainly influence one’s leadership style. It often necessitates a shift from focusing solely on day-to-day operations to more strategic thinking and delegation. it also provides increased visibility and greater expectations. Overall, growth and success can inspire you to become more visionary, adaptable, and focused on scaling your impact.
What motivates you every day to wake up and do what you do?
The thrill of entrepreneurship is like riding a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. Each hurdle you overcome brings a rush of satisfaction, fuelling your determination to push forward. It’s this cycle of facing obstacles head-on, finding solutions, and emerging stronger that keeps you inspired and driven on your entrepreneurial journey.
How much does passion count in building a sustainable business?
While passion is a crucial starting point, it must be accompanied by other factors like flexibility, resilience, market understanding, effective execution, and strong relationships, to build a truly successful and sustainable business. For me, passion served as the initial spark. However, what drives me forward now is the prospect of continuously creating and achieving new things every day. I look for magical moments in my work every day and I am happy finding fulfilment in the discovery of something novel. I don’t adhere strictly to perfectionism.
What are the top three challenges you have faced as a sole entrepreneur?
With limited resources, one can easily feel burn out and tired all the time. Additionally, as the sole decision-maker in your business, the responsibility falls entirely on you. This can be daunting, especially when faced with important decisions that could have a significant impact on the future of your business. It’s important to seek out advice when needed and to develop strong decision-making skills to navigate these challenges effectively.
What are three pieces of advice for women who are dreaming of building their first business?
• Focus on Building Success and trust yourself: Instead of approaching your business as an experiment, strive to build it for success from the start. This means meticulously planning and executing your ideas, ensuring they align with market demands and your strengths. By envisioning success from the outset, you set a clear path towards achieving your goals.
• Embrace Strategic Pivoting: Recognize when aspects of your business aren’t working as intended and be prepared to pivot strategically. Rather than persisting with failing strategies, adapt and evolve your approach to better meet market needs. This flexibility is key to overcoming challenges and steering your venture towards success. LiZZOM has made product and business structure changes to suit the demand.
• Identify Profitable Opportunities: Prioritize identifying profitable and scalable business ideas that resonate with your target audience. Conduct thorough market research to validate your concepts and ensure there’s a demand for your products or services. Aim to secure at least 10 committed customers or clients who are willing to invest in what you offer, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
To know more about Chanda Lokendra and LiZZOM, visit: https://www.lizzom.com/
