Get All Access for $5/mo

An Actress Takes an Entrepreneurial Path Here's what compelled Jacqueline Fernandez to look beyond her flourishing acting career and take up an entrepreneurial venture.

By Punita Sabharwal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Entrepreneur India

The sassy Sri Lankan beauty and actress Jacqueline Fernandez had grown up under the tutelage of an entrepreneur father, who runs his business in Bahrain. About the influence, she says, "Growing up, I was very influenced by the passion that he had for his business. That kind of energy is infectious." Joining the likes of Selena Gomez, Beyonce and Kate Hudson, Jacqueline's decision to launch Just F was based largely on her own challenges as a woman while looking for a decent activewear range.

Today, women are getting health conscious and moreover, they want to look good while working out. She says, "I couldn't find any female activewear products that weren't generic "pink and shrink' knock-offs of the male activewear line. I wanted to address this imbalance and decided to launch something that is designed around the specific needs of women."

After discussing it with the Mojostar team, the idea of co-owning a female activewear brand intrigued her, she announced earlier this April. The first range came out in July. Apart from selling through the website, the brand has also partnered exclusively with Amazon fashion. When asked what it feels to see that your efforts are being paid off, she says, "To see a brand that you have been involved with from the very beginning – which you feel is an authentic extension of your own persona – is definitely heartening."

Talking about juggling between her acting career and business, Jacqueline says, "Just F is a passion project for me, as is acting. I'm equally committed to both." And comparing the two roles, she says, "As an actor, you generally have an entire team managing and fussing over you – how you look, how you dress, whether you're hydrated enough." As per her, when you're an entrepreneur, you're amongst equals who are experts in their fields. No one is there to mollycoddle you. "You take in their comments and suggestions, but the ultimate decision of what you choose to follow is your own," she affirms.

Talking about her collaboration with Mojostar, she says, "Having an experienced business partner has definitely helped in ensuring that my learning curve as a first-time entrepreneur isn't as steep." As a newly-minted entrepreneur, her philosophy is clear, "If and when I do launch another business, the focus will be less on the industry I am operating in, and more on the need-gap that it addresses," she concludes.

Punita Sabharwal

Entrepreneur Staff

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur India

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Green Entrepreneur®

6 Ways to Profitably Integrate Eco-Friendly Practices into Your Business

Sustainability efforts can improve operational efficiency, increase customer demand and boost profitability. Here, we highlight six easy ways entrepreneurs and small businesses can capture the financial benefits of sustainability.

Business News

A Former Corporate Lawyer Now Makes Six Figures on YouTube — Here's How She Does It

Here are the secrets to starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, according to a YouTuber with millions of subscribers.

Business Culture

You'll Always Have Anxious Employees if You Don't Follow These 4 Leadership Tactics

Creating a thriving workplace environment hinges on the commitment of company leaders to nurture and inspire their teams.