The First Stitch: Meena Bindra on Building Biba, Defying Norms, and the Power of Late Bloomers

What if you could begin your life’s most impactful journey at 39? What if everything society told you was “too late” turned out to be just the beginning?

In this powerful and moving episode of The AboutHer Show, we sit down with Meena Bindra,  the woman behind Biba, one of India’s most iconic ethnic fashion brands. With warmth, candour, and grace, Meena aunty, as many know her, talks about the very first stitch that started it all, her years of multitasking as a mother and entrepreneur, and the legacy she has lovingly passed on to her son.

This is more than a story of business success. It’s a story of self-belief, quiet rebellion, and the understated power of women who decide to bet on themselves.

Who is Meena Bindra?

Before Biba became a household name, Meena Bindra was a graduate from Delhi University, a naval officer’s wife, and a mother to two sons. She spent 19 years as a housewife, living the typical service lifestyle, moving cities, managing the home, and raising children. But when both her sons went to boarding school, she found herself with time, financial pressure, and a deep desire to do something meaningful.

Also Read: Tara Singh Vachani’s Journey of Vision, Compassion, and Gratitude

With a loan of ₹8,000 and no prior business experience, she started a small home-based venture designing ethnic wear. Little did she know, this would blossom into one of India’s most beloved fashion labels.

Key Highlights from the Conversation

Starting Late but Strong

At 39, Meena Bindra took her first business risk — not with grand ambitions, but simply to earn some extra money. She didn’t know how big Biba would become. What she did know was that she wanted to work, to contribute, and to create. “There weren’t grand plans,” she says, “so there was nothing to be nervous about.”

Gendered Expectations and Silent Battles

Meena talks about the invisible work women do. From managing teenage boys to flying in and out of cities for social obligations, all while running a business, the mental and emotional load was hers to carry. “For a man, it’s career. For a woman, it’s career plus home, plus children, plus social life. That’s the difference.”

The Unspoken Strengths Women Bring

Empathy and a softer leadership style, she says, are often undervalued in business — but crucial. “When I hear someone in office just had a baby, my first thought is: who’s looking after the child?” These are questions rooted in care, something she believes women leaders naturally prioritise.

Legacy, Letting Go, and the Next Generation

Though initially reluctant to let her son Siddharth join the business, she gave him the space to experiment, fail, and ultimately succeed. “I gave him a long rope,” she says with a smile. Today, Biba’s continued success is as much his story as it is hers.

Writing Her Story

Encouraged by her grandchildren and driven by the desire to document her journey for future generations, Meena Bindra wrote a book capturing her entrepreneurial odyssey, not out of vanity, but as a legacy of courage and self-belief.

“Don’t have self-doubts. Go all out. Go for the kill. Try anything you want to. If you don’t succeed, try something else. But don’t ever underestimate your capabilities.”

— Meena Bindra

Also Read: Fabulloso Bonds- A Mother-Daughter Story of Building, Balancing, and Believing

Why This Episode Matters

In a world obsessed with youthful success, Meena Bindra is a reminder that it’s never too late. Her story is one of grace under pressure, quiet revolution, and enduring relevance. She challenges the stereotype that a woman’s ambition must have an expiry date. Instead, she shows us how age can be an asset, empathy a superpower, and resilience a non-negotiable.

If you’ve ever felt held back by doubts — about age, about timing, about your own potential — this episode will speak to you like a letter from an old friend urging you to begin.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Here:

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Call to Action

Know someone who needs to hear this story? Share this episode with them.

Feeling inspired? Tell us what your first stitch is. Tag us on Instagram or drop us a note.

Want more? Grab Meena Bindra’s book, A Stitch in Time: The Biba Story and dive deeper into her incredible story.

Let this be the push you’ve been waiting for — the nudge to pick up that dream, to start again, or to simply believe that you can.