Nearly 70 percent of DesiCrew employees are female. Why the gender disparity? Culturally, women tend to live with their parents until they marry, at which time they move into their husband’s home. In recent years, women began to leave home for school or to work in the cities to generate extra money for their families. However, once they get married, it is conventional for them to move into the home of their husband which is usually in a village. The education, training, or work experience the women gained before marriage is squandered due to a lack of jobs outside of the cities. When a company like DesiCrew sets up shop in one of these rural areas, they find plenty of women who are capable and eager to work. This not only boots financial security for the family, but also gives the women an increased social standing. In turn, the women experience increased self-confidence that motivates them to work hard, lean more, and continue to develop.
Malhotra intends to continue building her company and hopes that it will increase to 1,000 employees within the next couple of years. In addition to physical expansion, she also envisions the company moving up the value chain in terms of services offered. She believes that if qualified people are given the right resources, such as education and training, they can do anything regardless of whether they are from a city or a village. Teaching the villagers proper English is high on the priority list, as Malhotra believes that the company cannot move into more value-added work without being able to communicate directly with the hiring companies. In addition, considering India is a country with 15 official languages, the rural centers span multiple regional dialects. It is important for them to speak English not only because it is “the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication,” as described by the CIA in the World Factbook, but also so the company can communicate internally as well.
Saloni Malhotra’s ambition to change the world for the better is not unique, but it is important in the sense that she acted on her ambition. In opposition to her parents’ will for her to become an engineer (or a doctor), she decided to take a risk. Some still say her business model is crazy, even though the company is turning a profit, however good team and good friends. With such a young face at forefront, DesiCrew continues to bring hope and prosperity to those who need it most