Falguni Nayar’s entrepreneurial journey is one of the most remarkable success stories in India’s startup landscape. Born into a business-oriented Gujarati family, she spent decades building a stellar career in investment banking, eventually rising to the position of Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank. But at the age of 50, she took a bold decision that would redefine her life, she stepped away from the corporate world to build something of her own.
In 2012, she launched Nykaa, a beauty and wellness e-commerce platform, at a time when online shopping in India was still evolving. Despite having no experience in cosmetics retail or digital commerce, she identified a deep gap in the market, the absence of a trusted, organized, and accessible beauty marketplace for Indian consumers.
Nykaa began as a small online portal but soon expanded into an omnichannel powerhouse. From luxury perfumes to affordable makeup, Korean skincare to homegrown brands, Nykaa curated products with authenticity at its core, earning immense consumer trust. As demand surged, the company ventured into offline retail, opening large-format stores, specialty outlets, and exclusive brand showrooms across India.
The company’s IPO in 2021 was a watershed moment. Nykaa debuted at a valuation that instantly placed Falguni Nayar among the richest self-made women in India, showcasing how late-career entrepreneurship can lead to extraordinary success. Her current net worth, over ₹40,800 crore, reflects the strength of the brand she built from the ground up.
Beyond business success, Falguni Nayar has become an enduring symbol of resilience, ambition, and reinvention. Her story encourages many aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, to break barriers, embrace risks, and pursue their dreams regardless of age or background.
