Full Name: Falguni Sanjay Nayar
Born: February 19, 1963 – Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Known For: Founder & CEO of Nykaa
Industry: Beauty, Fashion, E-commerce
Story:
After a successful 20-year career in investment banking—including serving as Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Capital—Falguni Nayar made an unexpected move. At the age of 50, when most consider retirement, she launched Nykaa in 2012, aiming to bring a structured, trustworthy beauty platform to Indian consumers.
Starting from scratch, with no prior tech or retail experience, she built Nykaa into India’s top online beauty retailer, offering both Indian and global brands. By 2021, Nykaa’s IPO made headlines, and Falguni became India’s richest self-made woman billionaire.
Key Achievements:
- Founded Nykaa, now valued over $13 billion
- Pioneered beauty e-commerce in India
- Successfully led Nykaa’s historic IPO in 2021
- Named in Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Business
Famous Quote:
“Age is no bar. If you have the passion, go for it.”
Legacy:
Falguni Nayar’s journey is a beacon for aspiring women entrepreneurs. She proved that it’s never too late to dream big, disrupt industries, and lead with confidence. From banking boardrooms to beauty showrooms, her story blends vision, risk-taking, and reinvention.
