Meghna Joshi

Tell us a little about your organization and your organization’s journey so far

SWAN (Skilled Workforce Advancing Nation) Livelihood is a social enterprise based out of Delhi dedicated to empowering workforce through tailored training programs, counselling sessions, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of sustainable livelihood opportunities for a brighter future.

We started our operations in January 2020 to make a meaningful impact on the lives of disadvantaged youth. This initiative aimed to upskill economically disadvantaged urban youth, aged 18 to 28, by providing them with comprehensive training and connecting them with employment opportunities in the retail industry.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our team’s unwavering determination led us to conduct extensive surveys to understand the specific challenges faced by various groups, including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, college students, and working professionals. This research proved instrumental in shaping SWAN Livelihood's programs and strategies. Through strategic partnerships and stakeholder support, SWAN successfully made a positive impact through experiential learning & mentoring sessions also extending their reach to rural villages in Uttarakhand.

Our unwavering commitment to inclusivity propelled us into collaborative efforts with the Mission Shakti program of the Uttar Pradesh Government, where we extended our expertise to empower marginalized women workers in Delhi/NCR's factory regions. These women, who had endured severe hardships during the lockdown, benefitted from our training sessions on government schemes and application procedures.

Recognizing the critical need for counselling and skill enhancement, SWAN Livelihood spearheaded 'Skill-X,' a comprehensive platform offering hands-on learning workshops, mentorship sessions, and strategic partnerships with grassroots organizations.

Within the purview of SWAN's initiatives, experiential learning workshops, mentorship sessions, collaborations with grassroots organizations, and training of the trainer (ToT) programs were also integral components of their overarching mission.

Currently, SWAN Livelihood’s focus lies on the 'Mera Business Programme,' which empowers rural micro women entrepreneurs in Haryana & Rajasthan. This initiative, powered by ACIC Foundation and BML Munjal University, Hinduja Foundation, Ashok Leyland and Ambuja Foundation reflecting their dedication to bridging gaps, providing support, and fostering holistic development and workforce inclusion.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (background) and your journey as a entrepreneur, please;

Drawing from a decade of diverse experience in the Start-up, Environment & Development, and corporate sectors, I had finely tuned my abilities in Program Delivery, Project Management, and Skill Training across a range of disciplines. Whether leading Citizen Science initiatives, overseeing Skill Development Centers' operations, or enhancing the capabilities of the informal workforce throughout Delhi/NCR and PAN India, I feel that my unwavering dedication revolves around empowering lives and fostering enduring transformations.

With a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics (Honours) and a Master's degree in Environment and Development, my interdisciplinary education provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle intricate social challenges. My unwavering commitment to social justice and sustainable development formed the bedrock of my future endeavours.

Focusing on technical and vocational education (TVET), women's empowerment, and sustainable change, my visionary leadership has transformed SWAN Livelihood into a beacon of hope for marginalized youth and rural communities. I feel my guest lectures on Social Entrepreneurship have inspired college students, igniting hope and inspiration. My relentless pursuit of inclusive economic growth aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning me as a driving force in the realm of regenerative leadership.

Through my dedicated work, I has earned numerous accolades and awards, including the Ambassador for Good Award (Global Women for Good), Exceptional Women of Excellence (Women Economic Forum), 100 Influential Indians (Fox Story India), and the Glantor X Women Leadership Award.

What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?

The ability to innovate and address critical issues affecting grassroots communities and the gig workforce is paramount for me as an entrepreneur. By thinking outside the box and delving deeply into existing problems while empathizing with the community, I have developed innovative programs to bridge the gap between the urban poor and the affluent. Engaging with young minds and fellow innovators to share challenges and experiences has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of being an entrepreneur.

What do you find most challenging about being an entrepreneur?

One of the significant challenges about being an entrepreneur is making the startup space more gender-inclusive, especially as the investor panel remains largely dominated by men.

What is your brand’s USP?

I feel proud to apprise that our brand’s USP is that we are specialize in providing the following services:

1. Community Development Programs: We implement community development programs aimed at empowering individuals and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.

2. Capacity Building: We curate programs that offer hand-holding support for program implementation to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and grassroots organizations.

3. Specialized Workshops: Our experiential training workshops and upskilling programs help individuals realize their full potential by enhancing their cognitive capacities and improving their skill sets.

In addition to these core services of SWAN, we actively partner with various college societies to run programs focused on social entrepreneurship and sustainability, encouraging youth to become future changemakers.

How is your brand different from the competitors?

Regarding brand difference from our competitors, we believe in creating a greater impact at the community level, which is why all our programs are customized based on the specific needs of our target audience, geography, and socio-cultural context. Before launching any program, we conduct a thorough needs assessment to ensure that our training programs and workshop sessions are tailored to the prevailing conditions. This approach allows us to avoid directly replicating or digitizing content, whether in offline or online modes, and ensures maximum impact and relevance for the communities we serve.

What have been your most significant failures, and what did you learn from them?

Having a mentor whose vision aligns with your company's vision is crucial, especially when you're starting up. Additionally, building a strong team of individuals who share and support your startup's vision is essential for success.

What makes an entrepreneur successful?

I feel that the following things can make an entrepreneur successful:

1. Clear Vision: Understanding what you're working on and identifying whose problem it will solve is fundamental. A clear vision provides direction and purpose.

2. Aligned Mentorship: Having a mentor whose vision aligns with your company's vision is crucial, especially at the startup stage. This guidance can help navigate early challenges and opportunities.

3. Empowering Leadership: The ability to lead by empowering the people around you is vital. Building a strong team of individuals who share and support your startup's vision creates a cohesive and motivated workforce.

4. Sustainability and Purpose: Ensuring your idea is sustainable and having a strong "why" or reason for starting your business provides long-term direction and resilience.

5. Problem-Solving and Innovation: The ability to decipher problems and continuously work on creating innovative, out-of-the-box solutions sets successful entrepreneurs apart.

6. Empathy: Being empathetic allows you to understand and address the needs and concerns of your team, customers, and stakeholders, fostering stronger relationships and trust.

7. Consistency and Patience: Being consistent in your efforts and patient for results is particularly important in the early stages. Success often requires time and perseverance.

8. Combining these elements helps create a solid foundation for entrepreneurial success.

In your opinion, what is the importance of a good team?

In my opinion, An entrepreneur needs to realize that one cannot run their business alone. A strong team of empowered members who share the vision and are enthusiastic about taking on leadership roles based on their capabilities is essential. This not only distributes the workload of the founders but also fosters a collaborative environment. Founders should focus on building the capacity of their teams, ensuring that members are willing and able to take on new and challenging roles in the fast-paced startup environment. A good team is crucial for:

1. Shared Vision: Team members who abide by the company’s vision help maintain a unified direction and purpose.

2. Distributed Leadership: Empowered team members can take the lead in various areas, leveraging their skills and expertise to drive the business forward.

3. Workload Management: Sharing the workload among capable team members ensures that no one person is overwhelmed and that tasks are completed efficiently.

4. Innovation and Agility: A team that is ready to embrace new challenges and roles can adapt quickly to changes, fostering innovation and maintaining agility in a dynamic market.

5. Sustained Growth: Investing in team development and capacity building ensures that the team grows alongside the company, ready to meet future challenges and opportunities.

A good team is not just a support system but a critical component of the business's success, enabling sustainable growth and resilience in the face of challenges.

How do you plan for your business's future?

Since inception, we’ve expanded to include both classroom and virtual training sessions. Looking ahead, we intend to expand into e-learning to reach a larger number of people with skill-based learning, as well as begin our in-class, community development sessions in the areas of skill development, education, and women empowerment. Future projections appear brighter as skill development gains traction, as evidenced by the SDGs-2030 (Sustainable Development Goals), which advocate for technical, vocational education and training (TVET), decent work opportunities and assistance to young adults. Making our programmes tech inclusive to reach out to a wider audience is in the goal list.

What do you look for when building a team?

We are seeking individuals who share our zeal and enthusiasm for working towards a common goal and mission. Our organization thrives on the collective passion of its team members to bring about meaningful change. Since our inception, we have attracted like-minded individuals who have contributed to our collective success and growth.

How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?

I manage stress and pressure by engaging more people to share the workload, allowing for effective distribution and ensuring high-quality work is submitted before deadlines. Taking intermittent breaks to refresh myself is crucial; as an avid trekker and ardent birdwatcher, I find these activities rejuvenating. Attending conferences on climate change, ESG, and sustainability helps broaden my perspectives, especially since my work intersects with social and environmental issues. Additionally, being an art lover, I seek out spaces where I can learn about new art forms, which provides a creative outlet and further helps in managing stress.

What do you consider non-negotiable in your business?

The delivery of quality work within the specified timeline is non-negotiable for us.

In your opinion what are the keys to success?

I feel that the Key elements for success include having a growth mindset, empowering and supporting your team, thoroughly understanding problems before seeking solutions, maintaining consistency in work, and empathizing with your target audience.

When did you know you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

The past experience of working in Development Sector showed that there were youth who were unemployed, there were youth whose employment history had been short lived and there were employers who were either not getting suitable employees or whose experience with past employees had been miserable. All these situations required deep understanding and delicate handling of both sides. SWAN saw a niche in bridging the aspirations of the youth as per the requirements of the industry and we got started.

What marketing tactics do you find most effective for reaching new customers?

Word-of-mouth referrals, capturing video testimonials from our beneficiaries, and showcasing our work on social media have been our most effective marketing tactics for reaching new customers.

Who do you look toward for advice?

My mentors, team and family

What goals are you still working towards achieving?

We are currently focused on integrating sustainability and technology into our operations. These efforts aim to align with the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate our growth. Simultaneously, we are collaborating with more like-minded organizations working at the grassroots level to continue to empower rural women to enable sustainable livelihood opportunities.

What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?

Always believe in yourself. Consistency in your work will take you a long way.