WMW# 36: Ruchira Darda, mum, entrepreneur, coach and community leader
"I don’t do anything because it’s my duty—I do it because I love it."
Today I am so excited to bring you one of my favourite interviews of this series. A few months ago I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with someone truly inspiring—Ruchira Darda.
Ruchira is a powerhouse - and that is really the best way to describe her. She wears many hats—mum, entrepreneur, mentor, community builder, coach and a passionate advocate for fitness, learning, and empowerment.
I don’t know how she does it all, but what I love most about Ruchira is her passion, her honesty and owning not only who she is but also who she wants to be, without any need to explain herself to anyone!
She doesn’t just balance multiple roles—she genuinely loves them.
She’s embraced teamwork, delegation, and support in a way that allows her to thrive, all while staying present for her family.
I’m so excited to dive into her story today—how she manages it all, what drives her, and the mindset shifts that have helped her along the way. There is so much to learn from her!
Q&A with Ruchira: Balancing Passion, Parenting, and Productivity
Q. Tell us about yourself, your work, and your family.
Ruchira: Thank you, Abha! I’ve always been someone who wanted multiple eggs in her basket.
Today, I juggle several roles: I have a women’s club that focuses on learning opportunities for women, featuring workshops and inspirational journeys.
I also run The Yellow Door in a city called Aurangabad (India), an initiative that hosts learning and fitness events for both children and adults. I’ve written a few children’s books, and I coach parents as well.
I run a brand called Maha Marathon, an organisation that organizes marathons across 6 cities in the state of Maharashtra (India) with over 60,000 runners.
I’m also the Director of Campus Club at Lokmat, a prominent newspaper in India, which is a student platform with over 200,000 members, where we organize learning and competition events. Additionally,
Beyond all this, my favourite role is being a mum to two energetic boys!
Q. That’s incredible! How do you manage everything, while also staying so involved at home?
Ruchira: Honestly, I love all the roles I play. I enjoy setting a beautiful table for my family’s meals, spending time with my kids, and being active in my work.
Many people see these as burdens, but I see them as joys.
The key to managing everything? Teams.
I have an amazing support system, from my colleagues at work to my family and home staff.
I don’t try to do everything alone—I embrace help, which allows me to focus on what matters most.
Q. Many working mums struggle with asking for help. How did you shift your mindset?
Ruchira: I believe it’s conditioning.
Society has made women feel like we should be able to do it all, and if we can’t, we’re somehow failing. That’s not true.
No one ever said a mother has to do everything for her child—so why put that pressure on ourselves? I learned this from great mentors and leaders. I let go of the guilt and saw support as a blessing.
For example, I delegated feeding my kids when they were little. Instead of spending an hour making them eat, I used that time to read with them or play. I focused on meaningful interactions and let others help with the logistics.
Q.What’s your ultimate goal as a working mum, balancing so many things?
Ruchira: Initially, I wanted recognition—to establish myself beyond my family’s business.
Over time, I’ve refined my focus. Now, my biggest passion is parent education.
I see so many kids struggling because of unintentional parenting gaps. We live in a distracted time, with work, social media, and endless demands pulling us in different directions. My mission now is to help parents become more intentional, to equip them with the right skills to raise good humans.
Q. What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur?
Ruchira: Oh, so many!
The biggest one? Proving that my work is serious.
When I started, I had to constantly justify my ideas, especially because my husband is a successful businessman—people assumed I was just keeping myself “occupied.”
Also, balancing my personal ambitions with family expectations was tough. My husband is supportive, but it took time for us to be on the same page.
The good news is that with patience and persistence, people come around. Once they see your success and consistency, they start to believe in you too.
Q. Where do you find inspiration?
Ruchira:
I have to give credit to myself! (And as women, we should own that!)
I have an inner fire that pushes me. But my biggest driver has been my mother. She always encouraged me to experience new things, to challenge myself. She never let us have a dull moment growing up, and that mindset stuck with me.
Q.What advice would you give to mums in transition—whether they’re starting a career, switching paths, or returning to work after kids?
Ruchira: Believe in yourself.
The biggest reason we hold back is self-doubt. Whether you're restarting a career or switching gears, trust that you have the potential.
If you lack skills, get them—take a course, find a mentor. But never wait for external validation. You are the only one who truly understands your struggles and strengths. Own them.
Q.What’s your biggest productivity hack?
Ruchira: Google Calendar! I put everything in it—kids’ schedules, meetings, social media planning. I also use colour coding and Excel sheets for organization. I never rely on my brain to remember everything!
Q.How do you ensure quality time with your kids?
Ruchira: I time-block. From 2-4 PM, I don’t schedule anything because that’s when my kids come home and unwind. After dinner, I’m with them until bedtime—no phone, no distractions. If an emergency arises, someone will call, but otherwise, that’s our time.
Quickfire questions!
Favorite tool that makes life easier? Asking for help.
Favorite parenting book? How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and I, Parent by Neha Hiranandani.
Favorite quote? “People don’t remember what you did for them, they remember how you made them feel.”
Me-time activity? Working out. I love strength training and aerial yoga. Oh, and coffee. Always coffee!
I really enjoyed out conversation, and I hope you did too.
You can watch our interview here too, it’s a great and colourful chat :)
More about Ruchira here:
You can connect with her on Instagram here.
Feel free to leave a comment for her here too, I’ll make sure she gets it.
Till later,
Abha