We live in financially uncertain times, putting even more pressure on you as you scale your business. With this in mind, does working with purpose still matter? What about community, connection, values and the empowerment of others? Are they just nice to have or even an unnecessary distraction?
As we learned from today’s podcast guest, Shraddha Varma, rather than getting in the way or wasting precious resources, these things are superpowers in unlocking potential: both yours and that of others. At the head of Fuzia, a global business that creates commercial opportunities by bringing creatives and businesses together, she sees herself as a bridge between potential and opportunity. It’s a powerful hand-in-hand story of human and commercial success, so timely when everyone feels stretched.
It all started with an 11-year-old author and the 6-year-old writer she inspired. And although it’s a profoundly uplifting story about actively empowering women’s economic independence, this powerful message of resilience speaks to everyone and anyone in business.
Listen to discover:
- How a writing club for girls evolved into a global, commercially successful ecosystem.
- What Shraddha learned from being the only woman in a training room of forty when she started her high-pressure role in pharmaceutical sales, and how it helped her to step out into her purpose-driven journey.
- How to make risk feel less risky.
- By providing an open and safe space for creativity to flourish, Shraddha unlocked the passions and talents of over a million women and turned them into opportunities for transformative economic independence.
- A refreshing perspective on ROI because it’s not always about the numbers. If you ignore the value of other assets and metrics of growth, you’ll be leaving good money on the table.
- What’s really at play when founders hit a sticking point. Shraddha learned how to scale without burning out and now she’s enabling others to do the same. If you’re your own bottleneck, don’t worry, she has plenty of good advice.
- The difference between a hobby and a commercially viable product or service (and it’s not what you think).
- Why values, purpose and big ambitions aren’t just for big organisations. They form the core of any business, regardless of size. You’re never too small.
So, the question becomes not shall we scale but how can we do it in a way that unlocks our potential and that of others? Because this is the truly sustainable way of doing it in an uncertain world.
Here are a few moments we love:
“One thing I strongly believe in is that visibility changes identity. It shifts how someone sees themselves, and it builds confidence, voice and eventually action.”
“Inspiration is not enough. Empowerment has to be economic… Empowerment is incomplete without economic independence.”
“Growth doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from building systems.”
“Clarity is more valuable than effort.”
“It’s important to learn what your core values are because I believe in having people with you who share your vision. That’s what goes a long way because otherwise, everything becomes very temporary.”
“I envisage a world where women don’t hesitate before taking opportunities because support systems are easily accessible and businesses can grow without burnout.”
And Shraddha’s final word? Some advice to her younger self: “You don’t need to have everything figured out at the start.” It’s something we agree with and quite often hear, but rarely do we see it lived quite so bravely and openly.
TL:DR
Shraddha Varma, co-founder of Fuzia, shares her journey of scaling a girls’ writing club to a global economic commercial ecosystem. Today, it’s a powerful tool for female empowerment, and she talks about how it bridges the gap between creative talent and financial independence. The conversation highlights her transition from corporate sales to building a platform that challenges traditional business models by emphasising that community, creative visibility, and values are essential for resilience and growth rather than optional extras.
Where to find Shraddha:
Check out her platform: Fuzia.com
And her profile on LinkedIn where she shares her experiences in the field and reflections on leadership.
Texts mentioned:
Michael E Gerber – The E-Myth Revisited
Jim Collins – From Good to Great