n the spirit of International Women’s Day, let’s take a look at Eshita Kabra, founder and CEO of fashion rental app By Rotation, exemplifying the very essence of this year’s theme: “Inspire Inclusion.” Faced with the familiar hurdle of venture capital firms, often dominated by men, failing to grasp her vision, Kabra-Davies forged her own path, proving that female empowerment extends far beyond a single day.
Instead of traditional routes, she turned to her network of accomplished women, a call for solidarity and support. Five women, including Amanda Cupples of Airbnb, Naomi Walkland of Motorway, and author Candice Brathwaite, invested £75,000, boosting her female angel investor total to over £1 million. This decisive action underscores the power of women investing in women, breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
Kabra-Davies, who delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations last year, advocating for funding over mentorship for female entrepreneurs, continues to champion inclusivity. Her success demonstrates that women don’t just need a seat at the table; they need the resources to build their own. By Rotation, with over a million downloads and a thriving community of “Rotators,” is a testament to her vision.
The app’s success, featuring 120,000 rentable items and celebrity endorsements from Dame Helen Mirren and Ellie Goulding, highlights the growing power of the circular economy and sustainable fashion, values often championed by women. Kabra-Davies’s focus on peer-to-peer lending fosters a supportive community, with women earning up to £4,000 a month renting their wardrobes, using the income for everything from holidays to vital treatments like IVF. This underlines the real-world impact of female entrepreneurship, empowering women financially and personally.
Her journey, from a honeymoon in Rajasthan that sparked her concern for textile waste to building a thriving tech business in the fashion industry, is a story of resilience and determination. Her father’s pragmatic advice, “At what point does this business make money?” has guided her, emphasising financial sustainability over fleeting glamour.
Kabra-Davies’s experience highlights the challenges faced by women and founders of colour in securing funding. Her decision to prioritise financial success and ownership (she retains 70% of By Rotation) over fleeting fame is a powerful message, particularly relevant in the post-International Women’s Day reflection.
By Rotation’s expansion into the UAE, alongside its existing presence in the US, demonstrates the global reach of her vision. The pop-up shop in London, where she personally interacts with customers, reflects her commitment to understanding her audience and driving the business forward.
Kabra-Davies’s journey, marked by strategic decisions, a focus on community, and a refusal to conform to traditional funding models, serves as an inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Her story, echoing the themes of International Women’s Day, proves that when women support women, remarkable things can happen.