Mumbai's Mahilas: Tarana Lalwani
Brigid Connell (BC): Can you tell me a little bit about what you do for a living and how you got into it?
Tarana Lalwani (TL): I work at Seedfund, which is an early-stage hybrid venture fund where we invest between the venture and angel phase. I've been with Seedfund for almost 3 years. It's a pretty small organization - 7 of us - so we all do everything, from evaluating deals to portfolio management.
I grew up in Bombay, then studied and worked in the US. I moved back to India in 2006 with a start-up. But coming from a finance background, and with the product being at a very early point, there was not much value for me to add, so I actually left within a year.
I was doing some private equity deals and also working with this friend of mine on his early-stage education venture. At the same time, Mumbai Angels was being set up, which is an angel network based out here. I started going to all the Mumbai Angel meetings, and I got entrenched into the whole early-stage ecosystem in India. That's how I ended up in venture capitalism.
BC: Who or what do you think has been one of your greatest influences, both personally and professionally?
TL: Honestly, it's actually one of my best friends from high school. I didn't know what private equity or venture capital was when I was very young and he did. I point him out but I'd say it's having a lot of close guy friends who have been an influence professionally to say finance is what I want to do.
BC: What was the most recent book you read?
TL: I just finished 'The Forty Rules of Love' by Elif Shafak. And I'm reading 'Things I've Been Silent About' by Azar Nafisi.
BC: What drew you to move back to Mumbai after living in New York?
TL: If you were talking to me when I was 10 or 15 years old, I always thought I'd live in America. I loved America for whatever reason - Disneyworld, Tom Cruise, I have no idea. But I was pretty ambitious; I wanted to do my MBA, get some work experience and then come back to India. As you grow older it feels nice to be back in your city, your home. And I really like Indian culture, the informality of it.
BC: What is one of your favorite things about living in Mumbai?
TL: I think just that my family is here. Also, most people hate the two degrees of separation and that everyone knows everyone, but I actually like that.
BC: Have you had any personal experiences with gender stereotypes in your profession or your industry?
TL: I know people talk about it a lot, especially in India, but I've never felt it. I'm one of the few people I know who will walk around in anything in Bombay and not feel uncomfortable. I always say that I felt more uncomfortable in New York. Professionally, I've not really felt it. Finance in general is a male-dominated industry, but Seedfund is kind of an outlier; we have three women in a group of seven. I've never felt professionally or personally that being a woman has been to my disadvantage.
BC: What type of advice would you give to young women living in India right now about success?
TL: I would say, when there's a will there's a way. Focus. I mean, things are not going to be easy, man or woman. I think you just have to give it your best shot. You can't give in easily. If you want something, at least try and go after it. There are no guarantees, but put in your best effort. I feel like people sometimes make excuses, and you've at least got to try.
BC: What do you think is one of the most effective platforms for change in this society?
TL: I think you have to take the initiative. There's no real platform. You have to be proactive and take the initiative to do whatever you want to, to try and change things.
BC: What is something that you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
TL: I would say becoming more of an individual, in terms of social independence. I was more of an introvert 10 years ago than I am today. Especially in the professional world, you have to go out and talk to people and be more socially adept. I think I'm in a good place, but there's always room for improvement in every way, right? Otherwise, will get stagnant, but you always have to try and do something more.
Mumbai's Mahilas is an interview series conducted by Brigid Connell, Programme Development Intern, Asia Society India Centre. The series explores the diversity and drive of Mumbai's women, both personally and professionally. All women, especially those who are leaders in their field and who create change in their communities, were encouraged to participate. Interviews cover women's backgrounds, professions, successes, interests, reflections, and advice for other women. Any views or opinions presented in this series are solely those of the individuals and do not represent those of the Asia Society India Centre.