Mallika Tomar – From Army Kid to Award-Winning Shepreneur - I Built an Empire Between 2 AM Photoshoots and Missed Deadlines (Mrs. India Finalist & SheThePeople Award-Winner)


“I didn’t choose entrepreneurship—it found me somewhere between a 2 AM campaign shoot and quitting the corporate chase.”


1. Who is Mallika Tomar beyond the digital titles?

(Plays “I’m Just a Girl” in the background while answering)
Beyond the agency, the content, and the awards, I’m someone who enjoys figuring things out. Coming from an army background meant constantly starting over—new cities, new schools, new people. That taught me how to adapt quickly and stay grounded, no matter where I was or what I was doing.

At my core, I’m a builder. Whether it’s relationships, brands, or something as simple as a daily routine—I like creating things that matter. I thrive in the chaos behind the scenes just as much as I love putting something beautiful out into the world. I don’t always have it all together, but I always show up. That’s probably the most consistent thing about me.

2. How did Mrs. India and SheThePeople shape your journey?

Mrs. India was my leap of courage. I walked into that world with zero expectations, and walked out understanding that poise and presence come from self-belief—not from heels or sashes. It taught me that it’s never too late to show up for yourself.

Winning the SheThePeople Digital Women Award in 2022 was incredibly validating—especially coming from a platform I deeply respect. It reinforced the power of storytelling, whether for myself or the brands I help grow. Both experiences reminded me to stop playing small and start owning my space.

3. What pushed you to become a Shepreneur?

Honestly? I never woke up thinking, “I want to be an entrepreneur.” I was working with brands like adidas, Future Group, and Karix—handling campaigns, events, strategies. Somewhere between decoding sales patterns, managing e-comm tie-ups, and wrapping 2 AM photoshoots (yes, been there, done that), I realized I didn’t just want to execute—I wanted to lead.

And before I knew it, I wasn’t applying for jobs anymore—I was hiring. So, if anything, the career chose me. I just didn’t resist.

4. How do you balance your personal life with your personal brand?

Balance? Let’s just say I’m still figuring that one out!

From Monday to Friday, I’m deep in agency mode—client calls, campaign strategies, deck-building, team management. On weekends, I shift into content creator mode—shooting, editing, negotiating, pitching. I’m essentially working 24/7, just in two very different roles.

Do I get tired? Absolutely. Do I feel like throwing my phone some days? Yes, many times. But do I love the challenge? One hundred percent. I’m always chasing the next big idea, the next smart pivot, the next storytelling moment. It’s a lot, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

5. What’s the biggest myth about being a Shepreneur?

That it’s all glam and freedom. In reality, most days are filled with Google Sheets, backend fires, reschedules, and reworks—with very few Instagram-worthy moments.

The biggest myth is that we’ve got it all figured out. We don’t. We’re figuring it out as we go—while doing the work. You don’t need to be perfect to lead. You just need to be honest, accountable, and willing to get things done.

6. One key tip for building a loyal digital audience?

Talk to people, not at them.

People connect with people—not polished feeds or perfect filters. Share what you genuinely believe in. Talk about what you’ve tried, failed at, learned from. Audiences don’t crave perfection—they crave honesty. That’s what keeps them coming back.

And always reply to your DMs. That personal connection builds community faster than any viral reel ever will.

7. If you launched a lifestyle brand today, what would it stand for?

I actually launched one—House of Tomar, a womenswear brand. It was my first love project.

But if I were to start something now, it wouldn’t be fashion or beauty. It would be called SĀRA, which means “essence” in Sanskrit. A lifestyle brand designed to simplify the chaos of everyday life—not another planner or candle company, but something no one’s quite cracked yet.

Imagine smart, modular tools that make your home office more functional, or a system that blends wellness with real-time management. Real solutions for real women who do a lot. It would be smart, beautiful, and actually useful—like that one friend who sends calendar invites and reminds you to breathe. Or doubles as your fitness partner. I don’t know the exact form yet—but it better be something meaningful.

8. If your journey were a Netflix series, what would be the title of the latest season?

“She Had a Plan (Until She Didn’t)”

I thought I had everything mapped out—corporate career, brand jobs, stability. Then life happened. I built an agency, became a creator, and started rewriting the script in real time.

This season? It’s about letting go of the plan—and making room for something even better.

Bio:

Mallika Tomar is a dynamic digital entrepreneur, award-winning storyteller, and the founder of her own creative agency. With a background rooted in an Army upbringing, she brings resilience, adaptability, and grace to everything she does—whether it’s building brands, leading campaigns, or creating content that resonates. A finalist at Mrs. India and a recipient of the SheThePeople Digital Women Award, Mallika is known for blending strategy with soul. She thrives in the chaos behind-the-scenes while consistently delivering impact on the frontlines—proving that you don’t need a perfect plan to build something powerful.


Interviewed by: Shantanu Singh 

Edited by: Shantanu Singh 

Post a Comment

0 Comments