Shark Tank India Season 3: How this 22-year-old entrepreneur won Shark Tank deal

Shark Tank India Season 3: While the spotlight in Shark Tank India Season 3 often falls on big players, it's the small businesses that sometimes steal the show. Among them is 'Polish Me Pretty', a startup helmed by the 22-year-old entrepreneur, Anoushka Rele. Anoushka's journey is not only impressive due to her young age but also because she's already had entrepreneurial stints prior to this venture, including solo ventures and one with her mother. Though all the sharks were intrigued by her startup, it was Piyush Bansal who saw its potential and decided to invest. Let's delve into what Polish Me Pretty offers and how Anushka, at just 22, brought her vision to life.

Journey of the young entrepreneur

Anoushka, a resident of Pune, kickstarted Polish Me Pretty in June 2022, fresh out of graduation. Her belief is simple: just as hair and face makeup are essential for every girl, manicures hold equal importance. Anushka emphasises that attending a party without a manicure feels like something crucial is missing, and that's where her startup steps in. Polish Me Pretty offers over 200 shades of nail colours along with customised nail art services, all handmade, hand-polished, and handcrafted. Not just this! They're reusable up to five times, making them both affordable and sustainable.
 
Anoushka's entrepreneurial journey started early. At 14, she ventured into a cupcake van business with her mother, followed by managing Instagram pages selling stationery and clothes at 17–18. In 2019, she launched a streetwear brand, although it didn't take off and was eventually shut down. Despite setbacks, Anoushka's resilience remained unshaken.
 
Anoushka's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her resourcefulness. She started Polish Me Pretty with her own savings, earned from flipping limited edition Nike sneakers. Seeking a nail artist in Pune via Justdial initially proved fruitless, prompting her to describe her designs to local artists for execution. Anushka credits her family for their unwavering support, recalling nights spent packing orders with her grandmother, aunts, and sisters. Her father's encouragement to independently build her brand further fueled her determination.

Business Model

Focused on catering to Gen Z, Anoushka aims to revolutionise the manicure-pedicure scene. She notes that existing brands lack appeal to today's generation, with uninspiring packaging and a lacklustre social media presence. Polish Me Pretty's innovative product, featuring handcrafted nails complete with alcohol pads for application, fills this gap. Unlike machine-made alternatives prone to breakage, Anoushka's handmade nails offer superior quality and durability.
 
Anoushka's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her resourcefulness. She started Polish Me Pretty with her own savings, earned from flipping limited edition Nike sneakers. Seeking a nail artist in Pune via Justdial initially proved fruitless, prompting her to describe her designs to local artists for execution. Anushka credits her family for their unwavering support, recalling nights spent packing orders with her grandmother, aunts, and sisters. Her father's encouragement to independently build her brand further fueled her determination.

About the business

Anoushka's perseverance also paid off in her marketing efforts. After persistent attempts, she secured a platform on BlinkIt and later Zepto, sending weekly emails for 32 weeks to secure the latter. Her father's advice to persistently pursue opportunities resonated throughout her journey, eventually leading to success. Despite initial challenges, Polish Me Pretty has made significant strides.
 
Anoushka rectified errors pointed out by potential investors and chose to bootstrap her venture, aligning with her father's advice to build it from scratch. With the Indian nail market valued at approximately Rs 9000 crore, Polish Me Pretty aims to capture a significant share, targeting a revenue of Rs 50 lakh next year.
 
Polish Me Pretty's products are priced at Rs 1299 on their website, with reduced rates of Rs 660 on BlinkIt and Rs 770 on Zepto, making them accessible to a wider audience.

Deal

Anoushka's ask was Rs 25 lakh in exchange for 25% equity. Vineeta Singh, CEO and co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics, offered her Rs 51 lakh for 51% equity. However, Anoushka sealed the deal with Peyush Bansal, CEO and co-founder of Lenskart, for Rs 25 lakh in exchange for 25% equity, which was the same as what she asked for.
 
With promising sales figures and ambitious growth projections, Anoushka's venture exemplifies the spirit of young entrepreneurship and is poised to leave a mark in the beauty industry.