Meet Zarina Bahadur

We were lucky to catch up with Zarina Bahadur recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zarina, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I get my work ethic from my parents, and it has been the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey. Growing up, I watched them navigate life with unwavering dedication and perseverance. Whether it was putting in long hours to provide for our family or tackling everyday challenges with determination, they instilled in me the importance of working hard and staying true to my commitments.

When I started my company, I quickly realized that the foundation they built for me was not just helpful—it was essential. Entrepreneurship demands resilience, self-discipline, and a willingness to push through uncertainty. Those late nights refining a business plan, early mornings meetings, and countless moments solving unexpected problems were all made possible by the work ethic my parents modeled for me.

Their lessons have become the foundation of my success. I would not be running a thriving company today without the values they passed down. They taught me that success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and never giving up. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day and one that drives everything I do.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At 123 Baby Box, we create developmental monthly subscription boxes for babies that are designed to help infants and toddlers reach their developmental milestones. Each box is carefully curated with age-appropriate toys, books, and products that foster growth, learning, and fun during those precious early months of life.

The story of 123 Baby Box began while I was in business school. The idea came from my realization of how overwhelming it can be for new parents to find the right tools and resources for their babies’ needs. Motivated by a desire to help, I started the company as a college student. I entered our university’s startup competition and out of 114 startups I won first place.

This gave me the confidence and resources to officially launch the company. Just eight months into our journey, we even received an acquisition offer—a testament to the value we were providing. However, I turned it down, as I was passionate about continuing to grow the brand and make an even greater impact. Along the way, we’ve been fortunate to participate in prestigious accelerators in both Los Angeles and New York, which have been incredible opportunities to scale our mission.

The most exciting and rewarding part of this journey has been the impact we’ve made. To date, we’ve helped over 50,000 first-time parents, and there’s no better feeling than seeing the smiles we bring to babies’ faces and knowing we’re supporting their development. Parents have shared how much our boxes have eased their journey and enriched their children’s growth, which continues to fuel our passion.

Recently, we’ve launched a new line of developmental boxes and products, and we’re thrilled about this next step in serving families. Looking ahead, we’re eager to expand into retail stores so that even more parents can access our offerings and experience the joy and ease that 123 Baby Box provides.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As an entrepreneur, I believe the three most impactful qualities in my journey were resilience, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Each of these has played a critical role in building my company 123 Baby Box, overcoming challenges, and staying competitive. Here’s how they’ve made a difference and my advice for developing them:

1. Resilience

Entrepreneurship is full of highs and lows, and resilience is what keeps you moving forward, even when things seem impossible. For me, resilience helped me navigate the early uncertainties of launching 123 Baby Box, from balancing the workload in college to facing rejection and tough decisions like turning down an acquisition offer.

My Advice: Build your resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities to learn. Surround yourself with a supportive network, practice self-care to maintain energy, and focus on the big picture.

2. Strategic Thinking

Running a business requires constant problem-solving and decision-making. Strategic thinking helped me not only craft a vision for my company but also execute it, like deciding our product line or our plan for future retail expansion.

My Advice: Hone your strategic thinking by setting clear goals and breaking them into actionable steps. Study your industry and competitors, and always ask yourself, “What’s next?” Reading books on business strategy and seeking mentorship can also give you valuable perspectives.

3. Adaptability

The entrepreneurial landscape is always changing, and adaptability is key to staying relevant. Whether it was pivoting strategies, incorporating feedback from customers, or navigating unexpected challenges, adaptability helped me seize opportunities and maintain momentum.

My Advice: Cultivate adaptability by staying open-minded and embracing change. Be willing to pivot when necessary and experiment with new ideas. Develop a mindset that views uncertainty as a chance to innovate rather than a roadblock.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The people who have been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and build the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge I needed to be successful are my parents. As entrepreneurs themselves, they not only provided invaluable guidance but also set an example of resilience, hard work, and perseverance that shaped my approach to running a business.

Whenever I faced challenges, whether it was balancing the demands of launching 123 Baby Box while in business school or navigating tough decisions as the company grew, my parents were always there to offer support and advice. They understood the struggles of entrepreneurship firsthand and shared their wisdom on how to tackle obstacles with a clear mind and a strong heart.

Beyond their advice, their example of unwavering dedication and commitment to their own business inspired me to adopt those same values. They showed me the importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and staying grounded, which have all been critical in my entrepreneurial journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their mentorship and belief in me. Their experience and encouragement have been a cornerstone of my success.

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