NBJ Summit Recap with Sponsorship WINner: Komal Baldwa

Komal Baldwa, founder of aspurūs, and Bleu Cares (acquired by Sirona|Good)

NBJ Summit Recap with Sponsorship WINner: Komal Baldwa

This past July, WIN partnered with NBJ to sponsor one trailblazing WIN member to attend the 2024 NBJ Summit at Terranea Resort, in beautiful Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Komal Baldwa was the lucky recipient.

Komal is a global beauty and wellness awards winner, multi-diploma holder and founder of aspurūs, and Bleu Cares (acquired by Sirona|Good), India's first vegan condom brand, which is safer and free of harmful chemicals for women. She fearlessly confronted women's health taboos, leading to a strategic acquisition by D2C Big Brother. As the founder of Waleria Healthtech, Komal passionately integrates Ayurvedic wisdom with scientifically validated herbs to address women's health. 

Komal Takes Us on Her NBJ Journey

She WINs! I was thrilled to win the NBJ sponsorship from WIN – it was truly an incredible opportunity for me! The event provides an amazing platform for C-suite executives to connect and build meaningful relationships. Personally, it allowed me to interact with the industry's "who's who" and set the stage for future collaborations.

During the Summit: I have to admit, I had a bit of imposter syndrome, but the WIN reception was a fantastic icebreaker, helping me connect with even more amazing professionals in our field. The following reception and dinner provided even more valuable networking opportunities.

Contemplations: With close to 400-500 attendees over three days, this event offered a unique chance to deeply engage with decision-makers of companies and brands. It completely shifted my perspective from just focusing on "how the product" to understanding the critical importance of who is the decision maker. 

At NBJ, my perspective shifted to focus more on the decision-maker. Apart from end-user benefits, other factors such as trust, quality, supply chain, etc., would be taken into consideration by the brand decision-maker or c-suite executive when considering incorporating our ingredient into their portfolio. For a startup founder like me, this platform is priceless for taking a top-down approach and making progress within the business setup hierarchy to get our product considered.

Highlights: The NBJ team curated wonderful events like Sound Bath or Love Your Work, including sessions on topics like menopause and women's health accompanied by hardcore industry data. I loved the polls conducted during each session, offering instant insights into the topic and audience sentiment. The trends observed over the past year and those predicted for the future were incredibly valuable for our future research and planning, especially since we're still in our first year in the industry.

Lastly, the resort at Terranea is a paradise. The peaceful sea and morning walks are a must for anyone staying there. Three days simply weren't enough to take in all the natural beauty visible along their sea track.

 After returning to her home in India, we had the opportunity to sit down with Komal to delve deeper into her observations and experiences at the NBJ Summit.

Q: Has your experience at the NBJ Summit shifted how you do business? If yes, how so?

Absolutely. As an entrepreneur with a D2C background, my primary focus has always been on the product—ensuring it effectively addresses customer pain points. I’ve always understood the customer’s pulse and what drives their decisions. However, my experience at the NBJ Summit made me rethink this approach, leading me to understand the critical importance of “who is the decision maker.”

In the B2B channel, it’s not just about the product's merits; it’s about aligning with decision-makers who have a deep understanding of the broader business strategy. These executives have access to crucial data, including market appetite, pipelines, and future roadmaps. They aren’t just evaluating what a product can do—they’re considering how it fits into their long-term business goals.

This experience at the NBJ Summit has significantly altered my approach. Moving forward, I will prioritize understanding the perspectives of C-suite leaders, ensuring that our product not only meets consumer needs but also aligns with the strategic objectives of the businesses we want to partner with. This top-down approach is key to effectively navigating the B2B landscape.

Q: Even though you are incredibly accomplished, on day-one you experienced the "imposter syndrome" (which approximately 72% of women experience in the workplace). What skills do you use to overcome imposter syndrome? 

Even though I have accomplished a lot, I still sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome, especially when I find myself in unfamiliar or high-stakes environments. It's something many women experience in the workplace, and I’m no exception. Women often tend to underestimate their own potential, and I’ve found myself in that category as well.

To prepare for the NBJ Summit, I took proactive steps to mitigate these feelings. I researched the attendees and familiarized myself with their profiles in advance. This helped me feel more comfortable, knowing I would recognize some faces and be able to initiate conversations with a bit of background knowledge.

On Day 1, as the feeling of being an outsider crept in, I intentionally sought out those familiar faces I had identified beforehand. I made it a point to engage with them early on, which helped break the initial barriers. The WIN reception and subsequent events were particularly helpful for this, as these more informal settings allowed for easier, more relaxed interactions. People tend to have their guards down in such environments, making it easier to connect and get involved in their networking circles.

For me, overcoming imposter syndrome is about preparation and taking that first step to reach out. Once I begin connecting with others, the feeling of being an outsider diminishes, and I start to feel more like I belong. This strategy has been effective for me in various professional settings, and it certainly helped during the NBJ Summit.

Q: Do you think you will be attending the NBJ Summit again and if yes, would you prepare any differently? 

Absolutely! I definitely plan to attend the NBJ Summit every year. It’s such a valuable event, and I want to make the most of it each time.

For future summits, I intend to be even more strategic in my preparations. One thing I’ll focus on is reaching out to attendees in advance to schedule appointments and meetings. Cold emailing, which often doesn’t get enough credit, can be a great way to break the ice with C-suite executives. It allows for an initial connection, making it easier to engage when we meet in person.

I also plan to do deeper research on the companies and individuals attending, focusing on understanding their current priorities and challenges. This will help me tailor my conversations to address their specific needs, ensuring that I can offer impactful solutions even in brief interactions.

By being more proactive and targeted in my approach, I’m confident that I’ll be able to make even more meaningful connections and derive greater value from the future event participation.

Q: And what would be at the top of your list to accomplish while there?

At the top of my list is to build meaningful relationships with the people I meet and connect with. Ultimately, it's the human connections that drive business success. Establishing genuine relationships is essential for fostering trust and collaboration, which are the foundations for any successful business transaction. By focusing on building these connections, I aim to create lasting partnerships that go beyond just one-time interactions.