Sugar Cosmetics’ Vineeta Singh Opens up about Sexist Encounters in the Industry

New Delhi (India), 13th May 2023: Vineeta Singh, Shark Tank India judge and Co-Founder of SUGAR Cosmetics, is a well-known face in the startup industry. Speaking on a discussion programme with actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, the entrepreneur discussed her experiences with sexism in the workplace after entering the job.

According to the businesswoman, an investor refused to give her a cheque until her spouse joined the company.

During the chat show, ‘What Women Want’ with Kareena, Vineeta said, “I have had various types of sexist encounters starting with the fact that I was told we don’t invest in women-founded companies. So only when your husband joins the business, we will give you the cheque.”

The businesswoman also recalled another time during her internship when she was encouraged to dress differently due of her gender, which she did because she wanted to get recruited by the company.

She said, “When I was doing my internship at ITC, there was a time when I was told that the jeans and the tight tops that I wear to the factory are not okay.”

She added, “So, I remember, overnight, I had called my mother from Delhi to Saharanpur with these big baggy shirts, men’s shirts, and every single day of my 2-month internship I wore those oversized men’s shirts because I didn’t want that to be the reason I didn’t get a job offer.”

She also mentioned that this happened to her 20 years ago and that she now fights back if she hears something similar. She said, “Times have really changed. I think today people would not have the guts to say these things to your face.”