Biography of Anoushka Rele: Founder and CEO of Polish Me Pretty- Entrepreneur
Anoushka Rele: A Young Entrepreneur’s Journey
Anoushka Rele is the dynamic founder of Polish Me Pretty, a
trendy nail care brand that has gained attention for its innovative approach to
manicures. With a focus on offering ready-to-wear press-on nails, Anoushka’s
brand has revolutionized the way people approach nail care. Polish Me Pretty
was even featured on Shark Tank India in its third season, where Anoushka’s
vision and hard work earned her an investment deal from Peyush Bansal, the
founder of Lenskart. But her journey to this point has been filled with
determination, resilience, and early entrepreneurial experiences.
The Beginning of an Entrepreneurial Journey
Anoushka’s entrepreneurial spirit showed up early in life.
At the age of 14, she teamed up with her mother to launch a cupcake van
business, which marked the start of her entrepreneurial career. Over the next
few years, she expanded her ventures by managing Instagram pages where she sold
stationery and clothes. At 17, Anoushka was already trying her hand at
streetwear fashion. Though this venture didn’t take off, she learned valuable
lessons in business that would shape her future.
The Birth of Polish Me Pretty
After completing her education in Fashion Communication
& Styling, Anoushka founded Polish Me Pretty in June 2022, right after her
graduation. The idea for the brand came from her own frustrations with the nail
care industry, particularly how time-consuming and expensive salon visits can
be. She wanted to create a product that would help women get salon-like
manicures in no time. The brand specializes in handmade, reusable press-on
nails, offering a wide variety of colors and designs, with the added benefit of
affordability and convenience.
Understanding the Market Need
Anoushka noticed that nails were just as important as hair
and skin when it came to personal grooming, but there wasn’t an easy solution
for busy women. Attending a party or an event without well-done nails felt
incomplete to her, so she saw an opportunity to provide a better, quicker, and
more affordable alternative. Polish Me Pretty’s press-on nails became the
answer to this problem, combining style, convenience, and sustainability all in
one product.
A Vision for Gen-Z Consumers
The brand targets Gen-Z, a demographic that values both
style and convenience. Anoushka wanted to create nails that were not only
fashionable but also high quality. Unlike many machine-made nails that break
easily, her nails are handmade and designed to last. Each set of press-on nails
is crafted with care, making them more durable and of higher quality compared
to alternatives available in the market. This attention to detail resonated
with her target audience, who appreciated the product's blend of affordability,
quality, and style.
Building the Brand from Scratch
Starting Polish Me Pretty wasn’t easy. Anoushka relied on
her own savings, which she had earned by flipping limited edition Nike
sneakers. When she couldn’t find a suitable nail artist in Pune, she took
matters into her own hands by describing her designs to local artists. With the
help of her family—especially her father’s encouragement and support—she pushed
forward, eventually creating a business that would later turn into a successful
venture.
Challenges Faced Along the Way
Despite her determination, Anoushka encountered challenges.
Her initial attempts at reaching out to platforms like Zepto were met with
rejection. But she didn’t give up; she sent weekly emails for 32 weeks,
eventually securing a deal with the platform. This perseverance and belief in
her brand proved to be a critical part of her success, as she continually
sought ways to get her product in front of customers.
Innovative Marketing Strategies
Anoushka’s marketing efforts also played a huge role in the
brand’s growth. She realized that many existing nail brands had uninspiring
packaging and a weak social media presence. She set out to change this by
making sure Polish Me Pretty’s packaging was as trendy as its products and
ensuring the brand had a strong online presence. Through her creative approach,
she effectively reached her audience and created a strong brand identity that
resonated with Gen-Z.
Facing Setbacks and Learning from Mistakes
Anoushka’s journey wasn’t free from setbacks. Earlier in her
entrepreneurial career, she faced failure when her streetwear brand didn’t take
off. However, rather than letting it discourage her, she used the lessons
learned to improve. She was determined not to make the same mistakes again and
chose to bootstrap Polish Me Pretty, focusing on building the brand from
scratch and learning from each mistake along the way.
Biography of Anoushka Rele: Founder & CEO of Polish Me Pretty- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/nail market/shark tank/Polish Me Pretty
Growing with Support
A key factor in Anoushka’s success has been the unwavering
support from her family. Her father, in particular, played a significant role
in her entrepreneurial journey, advising her to persist through challenges. She
recalls nights spent packing orders with her grandmother and aunts, further
fueling her drive to succeed. Anoushka’s strong family network was integral in
helping her take her brand to the next level.
The Investment Opportunity with Shark Tank India
Anoushka’s appearance on Shark Tank India Season 3 was a
game-changer for Polish Me Pretty. She went in with an ask of Rs 25 lakh for
25% equity, valuing her business at Rs 1 crore. The sharks were intrigued by
her product, and after some intense questioning and a live demonstration,
Anoushka received offers from multiple investors. Ultimately, she accepted an
offer from Peyush Bansal, who offered the Rs 25 lakh for 25% equity deal.
A Smart Business Model
Polish Me Pretty’s business model revolves around offering
high-quality, affordable press-on nails with a focus on sustainability. The
nails are reusable up to five times, which not only makes them cost-effective
but also eco-friendly. With a range of over 200 nail colors and custom nail art
services, the brand caters to a wide variety of customer preferences.
Anoushka’s goal is to make manicures accessible to everyone without the need
for costly salon visits.
Expanding the Brand’s Reach
After securing investment, Polish Me Pretty has expanded its
reach. The brand is available on several online platforms, including BlinkIt,
Zepto, Myntra, and TATA CliQ, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Anoushka is confident that her product will continue to thrive, especially as
the Indian nail market is valued at around Rs 9000 crore. She hopes to capture
a significant share of this market and is targeting a revenue of Rs 50 lakh in
the coming year.
The Future of Polish Me Pretty
With the backing of Peyush Bansal and a growing customer
base, the future of Polish Me Pretty looks bright. Anoushka plans to continue
expanding the brand, introducing new designs and colors, and reaching more
customers. She believes that her brand will continue to make manicures easier,
more affordable, and accessible for everyone, especially young women who want
to stay stylish without spending a fortune at the salon. Anoushka’s journey is
a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a strong belief in
one’s vision.
A timeline of Anoushka Rele's entrepreneurial journey:
Age 14 (2012): Started a cupcake van business with her
mother.
Age 17 (2015): Began experimenting with streetwear fashion.
June 2022: Founded Polish Me Pretty after completing her
education.
2022: Overcame challenges and secured a deal with Zepto
after 32 weeks of follow-up.
2023: Featured on Shark Tank India Season 3 and secured an
investment deal from Peyush Bansal.
2023-2024: Expanded reach through platforms like BlinkIt,
Zepto, Myntra, and TATA CliQ.
Future: Plans to grow Polish Me Pretty and capture a
significant share of India’s Rs 9000 crore nail market.
