Biography of Sairee Chaha: Co-founder Fleximoms and Newslink-Entrepreneur
Story of Sairee Chaha:
Sairee Chahal is a prominent serial entrepreneur in India,
known for her impactful ventures. She co-founded Fleximoms and Newslink, and is
the driving force behind Sheroes.in. Recognized for her influence, she was a
TED speaker and earned the title of one of the most powerful women in Indian
business in 2012.
Sairee Chahal’s Early Life and Education
Born in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, and raised in Muzaffarnagar,
Uttar Pradesh, Sairee Chahal grew up with a strong sense of self-belief,
encouraged by her parents. Her father’s career as a consultant in a Steel
Company led the family to various cities, while her mother, a homemaker,
supported Sairee and her younger sister in pursuing their ambitions.
Sairee's academic journey took her from schooling to higher
education at JNU, Delhi, where she completed her M.A. and later earned a PGDM
from IMT, Ghaziabad, and an M.Phil. in International Business from JNU. During
her college years, she gained diverse experiences working for a business
magazine, assisting CIS-Chambers of Commerce, translating a book on a poet from
Hindi to Russian, and contributing to a Discovery Channel documentary.
A Turning Point on the Train
Shakti, an Indian entrepreneur, once encountered a
distressed young woman on a train. The girl, looking worn and tearful in
tattered clothes, had been harshly treated and fled her in-laws' home. After
paying for the girl's train ticket, Shakti learned of her tragic past and
academic achievements. Despite her brilliance in various creative fields and
her academic success, she had faced severe abuse. Shakti introduced her to
SHEROES, an organization that would transform her life.
The Beginning of a Journey
Sairee’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 21 when
she visited OTGIF and met a mariner with a unique idea. Distressed by his long
periods away from home, the mariner sought a solution to stay updated on daily
developments. Sairee, with her knowledge of start-ups, team-building, and
product development, saw an opportunity. This led her to launch Newslink
Services in 1999, a localized newspaper for mariners.
In 2006, Sairee co-founded Saita Consulting, which supported
small and medium-sized businesses. She also collaborated with Hedrick and
Struggles and worked on setting up embassies in Central Asian countries, as
well as the Russia Desk for the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Inspiration for SHEROES
The concept for SHEROES was inspired by Sairee’s earlier
venture, Flexi Moms. As an independent woman who became a mother, Sairee
realized the challenges faced by women who struggle to resume their careers due
to family responsibilities. Flexi Moms aimed to provide opportunities for women
on career breaks, paving the way for SHEROES to offer broader support and
resources for women seeking to balance their professional and personal lives.
Biography of Sairee Chaha: Co-founder Fleximoms and Newslink-Entrepreneur/ Founder of Mahila Money/Success story ofSairee Chaha: Co-founder Fleximoms
Sheroes: Empowering Women Through Community and Support
Sheroes is a platform dedicated to supporting women by
providing resources, opportunities, and a space for interaction. The platform
hosts events like the #SHEROESSummit and the #theshift Series, aiming to
reshape gender narratives and facilitate community engagement nationwide. It
primarily generates revenue through B2B partnerships, helping businesses hire
or market on its platform. Sheroes focuses on fostering discussions and
learning among women on various topics.
Sairee Chahal: Founder of Mahila Money
Sairee Chahal also established Mahila Money, an initiative
that offers small loans to women micro-entrepreneurs. Loans ranging from Rs.
10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 can be applied for and approved within 48 hours. If a
loan application is rejected, individuals can remain in the community to
enhance their financial knowledge and stability. This digital platform not only
supports business setup and growth but also focuses on improving financial
literacy for women. Mahila Money has collaborated with 60 organizations focused
on women to build trust and expand its impact.
The Impact of SHEROES
Through SHEROES, Tejasvini received recognition for her
creativity and legal assistance that helped her navigate her challenges. The
platform also assisted her in finding employment, which allowed her to invest
in and expand her own business ventures. Her journey from distress to success
highlights the profound impact SHEROES can have on its users.
Empowering Women Through SHEROES
Tejasvini’s story is a testament to the transformative power
of SHEROES, which has changed the lives of countless women. The platform
enables women to explore diverse career options, express their talents, and
build a future full of opportunities. SHEROES stands as a beacon of hope and
empowerment, affirming that every woman has the potential to be a hero in her
own right.
A Visionary Leader in Women’s Empowerment
Sairee Chahal is a dynamic force in entrepreneurship,
dedicated to empowering women across various sectors. As a serial entrepreneur,
angel investor, and advocate for women’s internet rights, Sairee is at the
forefront of creating supportive ecosystems for women. She leads SHEROES, an
online platform offering a wealth of resources, from entrepreneurial guidance
and job opportunities to community support. Additionally, she manages Mahila
Money, a neobank designed specifically for women.
SHEROES
Sairee Chahal is a visionary who has significantly impacted
the landscape of women’s empowerment through her platform, SHEROES. What began
as a small initiative has evolved into a transformative force for women’s
communities. As an entrepreneur and mentor, Sairee embraced the challenge of
elevating women to the forefront, offering resources and opportunities to help
them succeed. Her dedication to fostering a supportive network for working
women is the driving force behind the creation of SHEROES.
Board Member and Advocate
Sairee's influence extends beyond her own ventures. She
serves on the boards of Milaan Foundation, Paytm Payments Bank, and Women in
Cloud, a US-based organization. Through these roles, she continues to champion
the cause of women’s advancement and technological innovation.
Pioneering Change with Technology
With a strong background in technology, Sairee has been
instrumental in addressing gender disparity in India. Her previous ventures,
Newslink and Fleximoms, laid the groundwork for her current success with SHEROES.
Her innovative approach, which combines community support with a robust
technology platform, has made SHEROES a global leader in helping women achieve
their goals and aspirations.
Recognitions and Achievements
Sairee has received numerous accolades for her
contributions, including the Devi Award, Femina Achievers Award, Cartier Award,
and Editor’s Choice for the L’Oreal Femina Women’s Award. Her accomplishments
also include being listed among the Most Powerful Women in Indian Business and
ranking 53rd on Onalytica’s “Future of Work Top 100 Influencers” list in 2018.
Board Memberships and Recognitions
In 2019, Chahal joined the board of directors at Paytm
Payments Bank Ltd., further expanding her influence in the financial sector.
She is also a board member of the Milaan Foundation, contributing to its
mission of social impact.
Awards and Honours
Sairee Chahal has been recognized with several prestigious
awards, including the Cartier Award, Femina Achievers Award, Devi Award, and
the title of Most Powerful Women in Indian Business. She was also an Editor’s
Choice for the L’Oréal Femina Women’s Award, highlighting her significant contributions
and leadership in her field.
Here’s a condensed timeline of Sairee Chahal’s life and
achievements:
1970s-1980s: Born in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana; raised in
Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
1990s: Completed M.A. and M.Phil. from JNU, and PGDM from
IMT Ghaziabad.
1999: Founded Newslink Services, a localized newspaper for
mariners.
2006: Co-founded Saita Consulting, supporting small and
medium-sized businesses.
2009: Launched Fleximoms to support women returning to the
workforce after career breaks.
2012: Recognized as one of the most powerful women in Indian business.
2014: Established SHEROES, a platform for women’s resources
and community support.
2018: Ranked 53rd on Onalytica’s “Future of Work Top 100 Influencers” list.
2019: Founded Mahila Money, offering small loans to women
micro-entrepreneurs.
2019-Present: Serves on boards of Milaan Foundation, Paytm Payments Bank, and Women in Cloud.
