In a world where gender equality remains an ongoing challenge, Amazon stands at the forefront of change, actively dismantling barriers for women within its ecosystem. Through innovative programs, mentorship initiatives and a culture that champions diversity, Amazon is not just opening doors for women—it's propelling them towards success.
From empowering small business owners through programs such as Amazon Saheli and Amazon Launchpad to providing robust career development pathways for female employees and associates, Amazon's commitment to women's advancement is reshaping the landscape of opportunity in India and beyond. This ties in perfectly with this year’s theme of Accelerate Action for International Women’s Day.
This IWD, we are shining the spotlight on the remarkable women within its ecosystem; from sellers to employees and partners that are blazing a trail every single day. These inspiring stories of transformation and triumph showcase how Amazon's support is turning aspirations into achievements, one woman at a time.
Empowering women entrepreneurs
As more women don the entrepreneurial hat and work towards bettering lives through their innovative products, Amazon continues to support these women-led businesses through its SMB programs such as Amazon Saheli and Amazon Karigar. These programs help women entrepreneurs navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship and empower them to sell pan-India with minimal investments. Meet 3 entrepreneurs who're charting their success stories with Amazon.
Transforming the lives of rural artisans
Prerna Agarwal, the founder of Samakhya Sustainable Alternatives, left a successful advertising career in Delhi to work with rural artisans in Rajasthan, helping transform local crafts into market-ready products. This helped provide sustainable incomes to thousands of marginalised artisans.
Through Amazon, these artisans now have access to a broader marketplace, connecting traditional skills with modern consumers. “Over the last five years, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation in an artisan cluster we have been working with,” says Prerna, adding, “From humble roots with 200 artisans specialising in a single craft and earning ₹16 lakh annually, this artisan cluster has blossomed into a thriving community of over 1,000 artisans, mastering multiple crafts,” says Prerna.
Crafting success by taking traditional India jewellery pan-India
In a small town, four passionate women turned their love for traditional jewellery into a thriving business, Taasha Craft. Starting from a single room in a small town, Taasha Craft has blossomed into a successful enterprise operating from six production halls, employing over 100 skilled artisans - primarily local women trained in traditional Indian jewellery making.
We're grateful for Amazon's support, which has enabled us to showcase our handcrafted jewellery to a wider audience, says Anjali Wadhwa from the founding team. “Our success on Amazon has been phenomenal, with customers appreciating our unique, culturally rich accessories.”
Taasha Craft's journey exemplifies how rural enterprises can thrive while maintaining their cultural roots. Their success story is particularly significant in demonstrating how traditional crafts can be preserved and promoted through modern business channels, creating a sustainable model for cultural preservation and economic development.
The mother-daughter trio transforming body care
What began as simple home remedies for better skin and hair health from their grandmother’s kitchen soon transformed into a successful business idea for the founders of Hibiscus Monkey. Led by a powerhouse trio, mother Mona and her twin daughters Naina and Roshni, Hibiscus Monkey is innovating body care for women. While the beauty industry has long prioritised face care, Hibiscus Monkey focuses on nurturing and protecting the body. Mona (the mother), brings years of experience as a Chartered Accountant and former corporate banker, while her daughters Naina and Roshni are both Harvard-educated and have in the past held high flying jobs in New York before moving back to realise their entrepreneurial dreams. Amazon has played a crucial role in their journey, providing a platform to showcase their products and scale their business.
Amazon: an equal opportunity provider for employees
Amazon has always taken pride in being an equal opportunity provider and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Gender equality is one of Amazon's priority areas and has been empowering women at every stage of their professional journey within its ecosystem. Here are 3 such women who've seen their career arcs blossom within the company during their tenure.
This Operations associate balanced education and career
Rakshitha R started working at Amazon as a Pack Associate while still in college, using the opportunity to support her education. With the support of mentors and colleagues, she completed her B.Sc. degree. “Over time, I have grown in my career and now work as a Process Assistant. My supervisors and co-workers have been supportive along the way. There are people in Amazon operations whose careers I find inspiring. Working here has helped me balance my education with professional growth,” she says.
Her journey underscores how Amazon provides women with growth opportunities, allowing them to balance work and education while advancing their careers.
A company that takes calculated risks in hiring talent
Kanchan Shastry, senior manager at Amazon’s Inventory Management Services, recounts a similar story. “Amazon’s distinctive strength lies in its approach to career development, offering multiple pathways for all employees to grow and evolve professionally. The company takes calculated risks on individuals who may not possess traditional qualifications but bring valuable cross-functional experience that elevates performance standards," says Kanchan.
Reflecting on her nearly 3-year journey within the organisation, she says, “My personal journey at Amazon exemplifies this philosophy. I've successfully transitioned from roles requiring deep functional expertise to broader positions that leverage adjacent knowledge to enhance customer experience.” She currently leads initiatives with increased complexity and scope, drawing on her accumulated experience to drive significant improvements in both seller and customer experiences. Kanchan adds that continuous feedback and guidance from leaders and peers have challenged her to expand her capabilities and evolve as a professional.
The trucking partner who’s charting her path to success
Amazon India has enabled several women breaking stereotypes in the logistics industry. Among them is 55-year-old Prema Sharma, who took over her family’s trucking business after her husband’s passing. Despite having a background in finance and marketing, she successfully transformed Simar Express Solutions into a thriving business with Amazon’s Trucking Partner Program.
Her determination and Amazon’s support enabled her business to grow by 55% in recent years. “Amazon has been instrumental in my journey, helping me balance entrepreneurship and motherhood. I encourage other women to explore opportunities in logistics – it's a dynamic industry that offers a rewarding path to growth and independence,” she says.
