From Namita Thapar to Vineeta Singh; when these female Shark Tank India entrepreneurs spoke about balancing personal and professional lives

Juggling boardrooms, brands, and babies isn’t easy, but these dynamic women from Shark Tank India have spoken candidly about the highs and lows of managing both professional ambitions and personal commitments. From late-night strategy decks to PTA meetings and toddler tantrums, here's how Namita Thapar, Ghazal Alagh, Vineeta Singh and Radhika Gupta define their own versions of balance.

On being misunderstood and unapologetically real Namita opened up about being labelled saying, “From day one, we get called nepo-kid and born with a silver spoon and papa ki pari. We are second generation. But what people don’t understand is, when I joined Emcure, were 500 crores, we are 8000 crores now. To take it to that level as a group, the second and third generation also needs to have entrepreneurial mindset. Sometimes, people don’t think through that. It’s just their ignorance, you just can’t help it. You have to do the best you can given the base you have been given and try your best to take it to the next level. We as a family have done a fabulous job.”

On the myth of work-life balance she reflected, “There's no balance. Because I've said this very often, when I prioritize my work, my kids and many other family members hate me for it. So there's a lot of hate, there's a lot you have to deal with. When I prioritize my family at times, I've been taunted as, she's doing it part-time. I just took off for two hours to attend a PTA meeting. That's not part time. So, you know, it's like damn if you do, damn if you don't. There's no balance. You just have to wake up every morning, make your to-do list, be at peace with what you've decided and get on with life.”

On switching hats—founder to mom, she offered a refreshingly real take on what it means to juggle two demanding yet fulfilling roles. Ghazal wrote, “From bedtime stories to boardroom meetings, last night at 11 PM, I was mid-way through a strategy deck when my younger one asked for an impromptu bedtime story. In that moment, I paused the entrepreneur in me and became ‘Mom’, complete with stuffed toys and silly voices.” She went on to reflect how her perspective has evolved over the years. “A few years ago, I would’ve stressed about choosing one over the other. Today I’ve learned that being a mother makes me a better founder.”

Ghazal Alagh beautifully captures the everyday juggle of motherhood and entrepreneurship. “Storytime taught me patience and creativity, which I carry into the boardroom,” she shares. Her parenting moments often sharpen her business instincts. She adds, “The truth is, we can wear multiple hats, just not always alone.” Ghazal emphasizes having a dependable circle. “I’ve built a support system (family, team, co-founder) that allows me to be present where I’m needed most, when I’m needed most,” she says.

In a candid post, Vineeta Singh shared the raw reality of growing a startup while embracing motherhood. “I’d also just become a mom. So at times I’d be pumping breast milk, working out, handling office calls, and hoping to not wake my son up,” she revealed. Despite sleepless nights, her passion kept her going. “I loved what I was doing. After a year, it paid off—we were recognised as the best lipstick brand,” she proudly added.

Vineeta Singh reflects on running a business with her husband. “We have two boys. Even they feel perturbed. We discuss strategy all day long,” she shares. Though both are ambitious, they've built mutual respect. “We used to argue a lot in the beginning… Often arguments would come home from office but we have tried to find a balance.” Practicing negotiation at work and at home, she adds, “Whatever negotiations happen in Shark Tank, I practice them with my kids!”

Radhika Gupta embraces the imperfect beauty of a packed life. Speaking with Kareena Kapoor Khan on her podcast, she said, “There is very little ‘me’ time… I don’t understand this concept of balance. My life is chaos.” However, she’s made peace with the pace. “Take it easy, be kind to yourself. Make a few mistakes and enjoy the process thoroughly.” Her advice? Don’t strive for perfection—find happiness amid the hustle.