“ I strongly believe in the importance and power of education. This is a core value of the work I do with both ZuMantra and TheSmartGirls. This is a core belief that is shared by Akshaya Patra. As a small business owner, I find Akshaya Patra’s scale and reach across India to be deeply impressive.” Today’s woman dreamer, Marvi Ali, is a student at Vanderbilt University and has been a social entrepreneur since the age of 11. Her venture, ZuMantra, helps women artisans from rural parts of India and Pakistan become empowered through financial independence. In this inspiring interview with Women Who Win for our “Women in Philanthropy” series with Akshaya Patra USA, Marvi reflects on her journey as a young founder and the power of education is propelling rural communities forward.

1. Tell us your story. You are a student at Vanderbilt University and a social entrepreneur. At age 11, you founded two social enterprises, ZuMantra.org, where you helped women artisans from rural parts of India and Pakistan become empowered through financial independence. Tell us more about what inspired your passion for creating change and in entrepreneurship at an early age?  

For as long as I can remember, my family and I would visit my grandparents in Mumbai every summer. During my annual visits to India, my grandfather instilled the importance of education in me. From a young age, he taught me that education goes far beyond textbooks or the classroom. Most importantly, as I've grown older, I learned that education paves the way for true, meaningful change, holding the ability to improve lives. 

Although I was fortunate to have a formal education experience, I knew many young children in India did not share this privilege. So, I began to volunteer as a teacher at Akanksha, a local enrichment center for poor children in Mumbai. For them, education was a means to escape their low socioeconomic class and build a successful future for themselves. While teaching, I, again, recognized the importance of learning. I resolved to take more action and launched my social enterprise, ZuMantra, working with the students’ mothers, who were unable to adequately provide for their families. I encouraged the women, experienced artisans, to sell their handicrafts as a means to support themselves, with the ultimate goal of becoming financially independent. As my business progressed, I helped provide the women with resources to learn about running a business, saving money, and responsibly spending their income to support themselves and their children.

A strong education is key to a more just and more equal society. Through service, we can not only educate others, but help them to build a better life

2. What was the most rewarding learning experience you had in your work with ZuMantra and TheSmartGirls? 

At age 11, I won an entrepreneurship pitch competition, providing me with the seed money and mentorship I needed to launch ZuMantra. At that point, I knew my primary goal was to empower women artisans from rural parts of South Asia through financial independence. Initially, I built an app for women to sell their handicrafts to an international audience. However, upon testing the app, it became evident that women, struggling to support their families and working multiple jobs a day, could not simultaneously manage virtual storefronts. So, I had to start from scratch. I consulted with mentors and the women themselves, brainstorming how I could still make this idea work. I rewrote my business plan, taking on the responsibilities of building and independently managing an online platform. Looking back on my journey of launching, growing, and running ZuMantra, some of my most challenging roadblocks have also been my greatest triumphs. I’ve realized that mistakes and setbacks are simply a chance to grow. My journey as an entrepreneur, and this initial failure in particular, has taught me how to rise to any challenge, continuously innovate, and push myself beyond my comfort zone, and ultimately take ownership of my work. 

3. A multi-faceted entrepreneur, you also founded TheSmartGirls to drive financial literacy education for middle & high school students. Why do you believe financial literacy and financial independence is so important for women around the world? What was the need you saw? 

In the process of launching ZuMantra, I learned a great deal about handling personal finances and even developed an interest in corporate finance. I knew this knowledge would serve me well in life. Yet, this wasn’t the case for most girls in the US. In fact, a report found that the average high school senior could not pass a basic financial literacy exam. Historically, women face a gender gap, having much lower financial literacy rates than men. Recognizing the need for a robust financial education, I launched TheSmartGirls, an initiative to empower middle and high school girls to make smart, personal financial decisions. Whether at under-funded public schools to prestigious private schools, students lack the tools to be financial literate. But, a solid foundation of financial literacy sets students up for success, positively altering the trajectory of their careers and lives.

4. You are a part of Akshaya Patra Young Professionals. What inspired you to get involved with Akshaya Patra, and what inspires you about their mission and work? Why is it so important for young professionals to give back in life? 

As mentioned earlier, I strongly believe in the importance and power of education. This is a core value of the work I do with both ZuMantra and TheSmartGirls. And, this is a core belief that is shared by Akshaya Patra. As a small business owner, I find Akshaya Patra’s scale and reach across India to be deeply impressive.  

5. What is your 1 top tip to students applying to college this upcoming year?

My top tip would be to prioritize “fit.” In today’s competitive environment, it’s easy to get caught up in rankings and prestige, but it’s crucial that you think about what location, what environment, and what culture will truly make you happy. So, in short, be sure to strike a balance between finding an academically competitive school and one that you’ll thrive at!