Alisha Baheti, Owner MSC Maratha Royals shares her success formula

1. Tell us about your journey so far and what leadership means to you today.
I’ve had the opportunity to build across very different sectors including sports, wellness, infrastructure, and lifestyle, and each one has shaped the way I think in different ways. A lot of my journey has been about learning as I go, staying curious, and understanding what it takes to build something meaningful across very different environments.
If there is one thing that has stayed constant, it is the intent to build with purpose and contribute to ecosystems that create value over the long term. Today, leadership feels very personal to me. It is less about managing people and more about showing up consistently for your team, your decisions, and the culture you are helping shape every day.

2. As a woman leader in business and sports, what challenges have shaped you the most?
I think one of the biggest lessons for me has been learning to stay confident in spaces that push you to grow. Industries like sports come with very different dynamics, and that experience has taught me the value of patience, preparation, and trusting the work you put in. Over time, I’ve learned to see those moments as opportunities rather than obstacles. They’ve helped me become more grounded and more confident in my instincts.

3. What does building a strong legacy through organisations like Kapil Sons Group and MSC Maratha Royals mean to you personally?
I think legacy means different things to different people, but for me, it has always been about creating something that lasts beyond immediate outcomes. It is less about recognition and more about building institutions and ecosystems that continue to grow and positively impact people over time.
Whether it is Kapil Sons Group or MSC Maratha Royals, the goal has always been to build thoughtfully and with long-term intent. With the Royals in particular, there is something very special about creating opportunities for young talent and helping turn potential into possibility.
 
4. How important is women-led community and collaboration in today’s world?
I think it is incredibly important because there is something very reassuring about being part of a community where women genuinely want to see one another do well. Having spaces where ideas can be exchanged openly, experiences shared honestly, and support offered without hesitation makes a real difference.
For me, collaboration creates confidence. Sometimes, it is simply knowing that someone else understands the journey you are on or has navigated something similar that gives you perspective. When women support one another, whether through mentorship, partnerships, or simply being present, it creates an impact that goes far beyond individual growth.

5. What advice would you give to young women who want to lead with confidence and create impact?
I would say don’t wait for everything to feel perfectly ready. It rarely does. Start with what you have, and learn along the way. Confidence is not something you arrive at, it builds slowly, through action and consistency. And I think it is also important to stay honest with yourself about what you want, instead of trying to fit into what leadership is supposed to look like.

6. How do you continue learning, evolving, and staying relevant as a leader?
Staying relevant as a business leader starts with staying curious. The moment you feel like you have figured everything out, you stop growing. I’ve always believed there is something to learn from every experience, every industry, and honestly, every person you work with. For me, learning comes from being open, asking questions, listening closely, and being willing to adapt. I also think working across different sectors has helped because it constantly pushes me to think differently and stay open to new perspectives.

7. What role do visibility, storytelling, and women supporting women play in creating more women leaders?
Visibility is often the first step. If you don’t see someone like you in a space, it becomes harder to imagine yourself there.
Storytelling helps make those journeys real and relatable. And when women support each other, it changes the energy completely. It becomes less about competition and more about shared growth. I think all three together have quietly shifted what leadership looks like over time.

8. How can successful women leaders open doors and create opportunities for the next generation?
It starts with being intentional about lifting others as you grow. Many of us have benefited from someone who gave us guidance, trusted us with responsibility, or simply encouraged us at the right moment. For me, creating opportunities is not only about mentorship, but also about visibility and trust. Sometimes people just need someone to believe they are capable before they fully believe it themselves. As leaders, I think we have a responsibility to create environments where younger women feel confident taking up space and exploring opportunities without hesitation.

9. What kind of women leadership ecosystem or network does the world need today?
The world needs women leadership networks that focus as much on opportunity as they do on inspiration. Representation is important, but access, mentorship, and practical support matter just as much. To me, the strongest ecosystems are those where women actively create pathways for one another, whether through collaboration, guidance, or opening doors professionally.

10. How would you like to contribute to the Let’s Expresso community of women leaders?
I would love to contribute by simply being part of honest conversations and shared learning. I think there is so much value in women leaders exchanging real experiences, not just successes, but also the moments of uncertainty, learning, and growth that shape the journey.

11. What message would you give to women rebuilding themselves or stepping into leadership?
I would say don’t wait to feel completely ready, because most of us rarely do. Leadership, and honestly growth in general, often happens while you are still figuring things out. Be kind to yourself through the process. There will be moments of doubt, and there will be setbacks, but none of that takes away from your ability to move forward. Trust your instincts, stay curious, and remember that rebuilding is not starting over, it is bringing your experience with you into a new chapter.

12. Complete this sentence: “When women stand for each other…”
When women stand for each other, we create environments where ambition feels supported, growth feels possible, and success becomes something we celebrate together.

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Thankyou Alisha Baheti for opening up and sharing your wisdom with us. It’s always great to talk to founders who are building their ventures with passion & purpose. More power to you!
If you are a founder and would like us to share your story, do get in touch at Tanya@variaabl.com.
And before you leave, do read the One-on-One with Dr. Divneet Kaur — CEO & Co-founder, Dermabay. There is so much to learn from her.

Good day!
Tanya