Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker, founded Nykaa in 2012 at the age of 50—an age when many consider slowing down. With no prior experience in beauty retail or tech, she entered a highly competitive e-commerce space dominated by giants. Yet, her vision was clear: to create a platform where Indian women could confidently explore and access quality beauty products.
Challenge & Growth
As a woman in a male-dominated startup ecosystem, Falguni faced skepticism from investors and peers. Building trust with suppliers, managing logistics, and understanding digital customer behavior were major hurdles. But her resilience, strategic acumen, and customer-first mindset helped Nykaa grow steadily.
She leveraged content, tutorials, and influencer marketing to educate users and build trust. Nykaa wasn’t just selling products—it was empowering women to feel confident and make informed choices.
In 2021, Nykaa went public, making Falguni Nayar one of India’s richest self-made women entrepreneurs.
Resilience & Impact
Falguni’s journey shows that entrepreneurship isn’t bound by age or background. By staying adaptable, learning constantly, and trusting her instincts, she built a brand that revolutionized beauty retail in India. Nykaa now champions diversity, body positivity, and women’s empowerment—both in its campaigns and leadership.
Takeaway
Falguni Nayar’s Nykaa is a beacon for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Her story is a reminder that resilience is about embracing the unknown, rising after every challenge, and daring to start—even when the odds aren’t in your favor.
