Tina Bhojwani, the co-founder and chief executive officer of luxury vegan footwear company Aera, has made it her business to build community around women.
In fact, when the designer and entrepreneur was looking for new investors, she set out in late 2022 to establish The Aera Family, a collective of 11 influential and impact-focused women funders with shared values and a long-term approach to growth who actively work to amplify the brand’s mission.
“These diverse perspectives are really helpful at this stage of my company,” Bhojwani told FN last year, when she announced the investor program. “The most important thing to me was being around like-minded people, so that they understand the materials I use and what it means to be a B Corp. When one traditionally raises money, investors don’t typically have that level of involvement and passion for the business, so this group of women allows me to grow the brand in a supportive way.”
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For Bhojwani, launching Aera has been her “proudest” achievement so far in her career. “I’ve been fortunate to hold leadership roles and contribute to the success of iconic brands like Donna Karan, Theory and Dolce & Gabbana,” she said. “However, my proudest achievement is founding Aera and building it from the ground up, as well as keeping it afloat during the pandemic, which hit a couple of weeks after we launched. It has been fulfilling to blend my passion for fashion with a purpose-driven mission. Witnessing its growth and navigating the challenges has been a deeply rewarding journey.”
Along the way, Bhojwani said that she’s learned that failure is a part of the journey toward growth. One notable instance occurred when she didn’t fully trust her leadership instincts.
“This experience taught me a valuable lesson: to listen to my intuition and align my decisions with my core values,” Bhojwani said. “Reflecting on the situation, I was able to learn from my mistake and ultimately strengthen my decision-making process. This journey reinforced the importance of staying true to myself and the notion that challenges are opportunities for growth.”
Her message for other women looking to rise through the industry is to cultivate a broad range of skills. “Balancing business acumen with creativity (the art and the science) and cultivating strong relationships can help pave a path for success,” the leader noted. “Also, staying abreast of advancements in technology and AI and being adaptable to change, is also crucial for staying competitive and making an impact.”
Career growth can also be helped through mentorship, Bhojwani added. “A great mentor not only provides guidance and support, but also challenges you to push your boundaries and grow,” she said. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have inspiring mentors in all of my former bosses, who significantly shaped my personal and professional development. They have shown me how to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and trust my instincts.”
Bhojwani credits Andrew Rosen, the founder of Theory, for helping her when she needed guidance. “Over my 14 years working under Andrew, I was deeply inspired by his unique ability to combine analytical thinking with creative intuition,” she said.
And even now, when Bhojwani is still focused on building her own brand, she finds it important to mentor young talent in the industry. “Mentoring future leaders is important to me as it allows me to give back and help the next generation succeed,” she added. “I enjoy leading teams by example and nurturing young people as they navigate their careers. It’s deeply rewarding to watch my mentees grow, gain confidence and achieve their goals.”
Five years from now, Bhojwani said she envisions making a significant positive impact in the fashion industry. “I believe in our collective responsibility to address social and environmental challenges constructively,” she said. “I’m committed to contributing to this mission with Aera and beyond.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.
