Masoom Minawala is a global fashion icon, She is also an influencer who has become somewhat of an iconoclast, breaking several stereotypes over the years, including what women should do during pregnancy.
In 2021, Minawala became the first Indian influencer to walk the runway at Milan Fashion for Vaishali S, a couture brand from Mumbai. Minawala is also renowned for “Masoom Magic”, a term used to describe how she boosts the brands she works with. In April, Minawala achieved her next first, as she published her debut book, She’ll Never Make it: My Journey from Doubt to Dominance (Juggernaut). Apart from being a must-read for aspiring influencers, the book is also a reflection of how far Minawala has come in her own journey. My Kolkata caught up with Minawala over video call to discuss her book, her defining moments, how she copes with self-doubt, and more. Edited excerpts from the conversation follow.
My Kolkata: Why did you choose to launch your book right now? What influenced your decision to write a book about yourself?
Masoom Minawala: It was exciting to work on a piece of content that would last forever versus having worked on content over the past decade that has been fleeting, that’s been less than 60 seconds. It was a challenge to work on something that was so detail-oriented, that was so large in just its capacity and its volume.
How long did it take you to write the book?
I started working on it around two years ago and finally decided to launch it this year.
What is your favourite section from the book and why?
The section where I talk about GSD — “Get Sh*t Done”. It’s something that pushes you to work towards your goal.
‘I was at the Cannes Film Festival and was being called too short to be on the red carpet’
‘I didn’t let these moments of self-doubt stop me. I kept going,’ says Minawala
What were some moments during which you experienced self-doubt? How did you cope with them?
When I first got married and moved out of India to Europe, I realised that I was deleted from all the PR lists in India. That came as a root shock. I almost felt like I was back to the first step of the ladder that I had worked so hard to climb. The second moment of self-doubt came when I was at the Cannes Film Festival and was being called too short to be on the red carpet. Another one was when I was working at my e-commerce company and investors would ask me to get a male co-founder in order for them to invest.
But I didn’t let these moments of self-doubt stop me. I kept going.
According to you, do women experience self-doubt more than men? How can women transform into more confident versions of themselves?
I'm not sure. I don’t know if women experience more self-doubt than me, but it seems to me that women act on self-doubt a lot more than men. Women give wings to self-doubt and let it affect their lives. Instead, women have to accept self-doubt as fleeting and let it pass. As women, we have to tell ourselves that no matter the self-doubt, we’ve got to keep moving forward. I may be doubting myself at this moment, but this self-doubt doesn’t define my journey.
What are your self-care strategies?
Meditating, journaling and movement.
What have been the defining moments in your career so far that have given you the feeling that you have made it?
The first would be when Masoom Magic became a phenomenon and I could drive traction in terms of sales, conversions and website visits for brands, especially the small homegrown brands. Another huge moment was launching my book and seeing it become the number one bestseller within five hours!
‘Work was the one thing that kept me sane’
As an influencer, you have set an example for how women can work even during pregnancy and ace their game. How did you cope with pregnancy and work?
It’s very important to note that I had an easy pregnancy. I was blessed with good health during my pregnancy, which is why I was able to work. I think in those times work helped me, as things were changing around me everyday — my body, my life, and even my brain, for that matter. Work was the one thing that kept me sane and balanced.
Did you experience postpartum depression? What advice do you offer to women dealing with postpartum?
Yes, I did. The advice that I would offer to women dealing with postpartum is to ask for help and be open about it. It’s a very normal phenomenon and it’s something that just needs more acceptance. It needs to be spoken about more. That’s also what I did. I turned to my family and I always told them when I wasn’t feeling okay.
‘I’ve always told it how it is’
What do you think makes you relatable as an influencer, both locally and globally?
I think my honesty makes me relatable. Through every phase of life, I’ve always told it how it is. I don’t think I’ve sugar-coated anything or pretended to be someone I’m not. For example, as a mother, you can’t have a child and not have contrasting emotions about it. I’ve been honest about all that, and I think people respect that and relate to it.
Let us talk about goals. What is the next thing you want to dominate?
Well, I just launched my book. So, frankly, I’m not thinking about what’s next for now. I’m living in the moment for a bit.
Lastly, if you could gift your book to anybody in this world, who would you gift it to?
If I could, I’d give this book to every woman in this world!
