Meet Divya Suryadevara, the First Female CFO of General Motors

October 13, 20212 Minutes Read
Success Stories

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Divya Suryadevara is one such woman achiever of India who is an inspiration for girls across.

We know that "Nothing great ever came that easy", which is why Divya knew that she has a tough road to cross ahead of her. The story of how Divya become the first female Chief Financial Officer of the 110-year-old company -- General Motors, America's No.1 automotive company is not only inspiring but also shows that strong determination of fulfilling a dream can turn things upside down.

Here is the inspiring story of Divya, one of the many women achievers of modern India…..

Divya lost her father when she was very young….

It was her mother's responsibility to raise her and her two sisters. Seeing her mother work through day and night to provide for the family, she decided to aim for something big and went to Harvard for her education at the age of 22.

The journey from Chennai to Harvard was again not easy because she did not have enough money and went on a student loan. Her sole purpose of education was centered around providing security to her family by getting a job. Unlike other students, she could not afford to take trips or enjoy, due to the pressure to pay back the loan.

The learnings of the university and her willpower to do something big in the field of finance made her secure a position in the male-dominant world of the corporate hierarchy. Securing a position after sincere determination is one thing, but she was also successful in improving the financial performance of the company through her understanding of the industry and numbers.

She was called a ‘Transformational Leader’ by the CEO of General Motors, who is also a female.

Guess what? Divya was no different than a regular girl. She knew that good education would help her achieve her dreams and that is what she did.

If you also wish to enter the field of finance and become a woman leader in the industry, you must begin to develop your skillset in the corporate finance field.

From Divya's story, two things are very clear -- one is her courage which is why she took a big step of going to Harvard to pursue her education on loans and the other is her ability to believe in her herself and her hard work through which she performed continuously and is now at the top.

So, what are you waiting for? Enroll for the corporate finance course and get geared up to gain immense knowledge and enter the field of finance.

If you are confused on how and from you should start, the best and easiest way is to join an online course in finance and understand the basic concepts. This will not only increase your knowledge of finance but will also help you understand if a career in this field is what you want.

All you have to do is register on this website to gain skills through free online corporate finance courses offered by reputed institutes like edx with highly trained instructors.

This course of Corporate Finance has gained high popularity amongst girls because of its insightful learnings and is also making them kickstart their careers in the field of finance. The learnings range from basic to specialize knowledge of different tools and models used for calculations and company projections.

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Success Stories
December 27, 20232 Minutes Read

Shradha Sharma - Founder and CEO of YourStory, a platform for stories and news about entrepreneurs and start-ups in India

Shradha Sharma , the Founder and CEO of YourStory , started her journey from a journalist to a visionary entrepreneur who has significantly impacted the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, making YourStory a go-to platform for stories and news about startups and entrepreneurs.

As the Founder and CEO of YourStory, Shradha Sharma has carved a niche for herself in storytelling and news curation. YourStory is not just a platform; it's a digital haven that celebrates the journeys of entrepreneurs and showcases the diverse landscape of startups in India . Under Shradha's leadership, YourStory has become a catalyst for change, amplifying the voices of those who dare to dream and build.

One of the distinctive aspects of YourStory is its focus on diversity and inclusivity. Shradha Sharma has been a vocal advocate for promoting and highlighting the stories of women entrepreneurs . In a sector where the gender gap has historically been significant, YourStory stands out as a platform that recognises and celebrates the achievements of female entrepreneurs, providing a spotlight for their journeys and successes.

Shradha Sharma's commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs goes beyond just storytelling. YourStory actively curates content that provides insights and entrepreneur ideas for women , encouraging them to explore and excel in diverse fields. The platform is a source of inspiration, offering many stories that resonate with aspiring women entrepreneurs across India.

In a country where the startup ecosystem is thriving, Shradha Sharma's YourStory plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative around startups in India . The platform has become a knowledge hub, offering valuable resources, expert opinions, and success stories that inspire budding entrepreneurs and provide practical insights into the intricacies of starting and scaling a business in the Indian context.

Shradha Sharma 's journey itself is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit she champions. As a journalist, she identified a gap in the coverage of startup stories in India and took the bold step of creating YourStory to fill that void. Her visionary approach has transformed the landscape of media and storytelling and influenced how people perceive and engage with entrepreneurship in India.

The impact of YourStory extends to various sectors and industries, showcasing the diversity of ideas and innovations emerging from different corners of the country. Shradha Sharma's platform reflects the vibrancy and dynamism of the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In India, where entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming a viable career choice, YourStory's role is significant. Shradha Sharma's vision aligns with the evolving aspirations of young Indians who seek inspiration and guidance on their entrepreneurial journeys. YourStory has become a virtual mentor, offering knowledge and insights that empower individuals to realise their entrepreneurial dreams.

Shradha Sharma has not just created a platform; she has woven a tapestry of stories that reflect the resilience, creativity, and diversity of the Indian entrepreneurial spirit. Through YourStory, she continues to shape the narrative around startups and entrepreneurs in India, inspiring a new generation to embrace the possibilities and challenges of entrepreneurship. As she navigates the ever-evolving landscape, Shradha Sharma remains a guiding force, leaving an indelible mark on the journey of every entrepreneur featured on YourStory and contributing to the growth and transformation of the startup ecosystem in India.

Are you looking for some inspiration in your life, like Shradha Sharma ? Then, explore various courses offered across different fields on Glow & Lovely Careers and let your colours of success shine through! #KaamyabiKeRangDikhao

Success Stories
October 13, 20212 Minutes Read

Meena Bindra: The 40-Year-Old Housewife and Mother of Two Who Started Dress Designing to Earn Pocket Money and Ended up with 600 Crores!

Meena Bindra got married when she was 20 years old. She then had two sons and got busy taking care of kids and family.

She was creative, though and took up dress designing as a hobby. Then it became a source of pocket money for her. Starting a business was never her plan, though.

She says, "When I started designing clothes as a hobby to earn some pocket money, I never dreamt of becoming a businesswoman!"

However, she had courage and passion. "If you have the passion for something, just do it," she says. And that's exactly what she did!

She took up a loan of Rs 8000 and launched the brand BIBA, a brand specializing in salwar kameez and kurtas.

In 2004, Biba opened its first outlet in a Mumbai mall. In March 2012, BIBA's annual revenues stood at Rs 300 crore. And by 2020, BIBA was a 600-crore business venture!

On her way to become a successful businesswoman, there were so many myths that Meera proved wrong.....

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  • **A woman cannot have a career as well as a family: Meena was married and a mum to two sons when she started her business. She has her husband's support. He helped her get her first loan to start the business. **Her sons later joined her business and helped her run it.
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  • One needs to be young and start early to be successful in business:** **Meena was almost 40 when she decided to launch BIBA.
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  • **Creativity doesn't pay. One needs a business degree to start a business: **Meena had no earlier experience of running a business or working in a corporate set-up when she started designing clothes.

    In fact, Meena was a self-taught designer. She had no formal degree in either dress designing or business. It was her determination, passion, hard work and creativity all the way.

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  • You need to be wealthy to start your own business or be a part of a business family:** **Meena's husband was in the Navy. She took a loan to start her business.
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