Serious about building a solid business? "Don't give your 100% every single day', says Ghazal Alagh

Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh believes entrepreneurs should avoid giving their absolute 100% every day, suggesting that a more balanced, 80-85% effort can prevent burnout and improve long-term results.

Alagh shared her perspective in a post on LinkedIn, drawing on her experience in building Mamaearth from the ground up.

"If you are serious about building a solid business, don’t give your 100% every single day," she said. "Over the years, working around the clock, I have realized that constantly pushing for a perfect 100% can actually backfire. Instead, one should learn focused effort and strategic prioritizing. I call it the 85% Rule."

Alagh compared the approach to athletic training, where rest and recovery play a pivotal role. “Constantly pushing for perfection can backfire,” she said.

“Elite athletes don’t train at peak intensity every single day. They understand the importance of pacing themselves so that when crucial moments arrive, they can perform at 100%.”

"This mindset is crucial for running a business too. Building a startup is a long journey, it’s not a quick sprint."

Since founding Mamaearth, Alagh has advocated for a “sustainable hustle” model. She calls it the “85% Rule,” emphasizing focused effort and strategic prioritizing over perpetual all-out work.

“Running a startup is more of a marathon than a sprint,” Alagh noted. “By aiming for 85% most days, we can devote real energy to the tasks that matter and still have the bandwidth to handle sudden challenges.”

"It's about working hard and being smart about it, so one can have the energy and focus left for those crucial moments when there’s need to give a 100%," she added.

Mamaearth's financial performance

Varun Alagh and Ghazal Alagh-led Honasa Consumer Ltd, which owns Mamaearth, BBlunt, and Dr. Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinics LLP, reported Rs 517.5 crore in revenue in the Q3FY25.

Notably, the company also returned to profitability, recording Rs 26 crore in net profit for the quarter—unchanged from Q3 FY24, but a significant improvement from the Rs 19 crore loss it posted in the previous quarter.