Read how this Mom started Vanity Wagon which today is taking the Clean Beauty Marketplace by storm

The first step for me was to get the founding team right and then building a framework where brands trust us and are willing to work with us.- Naina Ruhail, Co-Founder & CIO (Chief Innovation Officer), Vanity Wagon

How you began your entrepreneurial journey?

My entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 as a make-up artist and beauty blogger, leaving my IT experience behind and deciding to pursue my passion. I went on to specialize in beauty, first at delhi and then in London. In 2017, I decided to make the next leap and invested all that I had into Vanity Wagon. Rest is history.

Today, Vanity Wagon is a Clean Beauty Marketplace, that’s defining beauty in today’s informed – conscious society. We enable Indians to shop Clean Beauty products from over 105 brands today.

What are the challenges you faced when you initially started Vanity Wagon?

Challenges have come in all shapes and sizes. Right from building the right team, sourcing Clean brands, building consumer trust, sorting the supply chain. We have come a long way now, overcoming every challenge one after the other.

The first step for me was to get the founding team right and then building a framework where brands trust us and are willing to work with us. Consumer trust takes time to build and we have been honest and admitted when we were wrong, which has tremendously helped us.

How was the support from family and your partner when you started your journey?

I draw a lot of strength from my family. My parents, in laws and my husband have always backed every decision of mine and helped me every step of the way. When I was founding Vanity, I asked my husband to join in, owing to his skill with business and knowing we would make a great team. He joined in without even thinking for a second and that shows the support I have. We have worked well together and are proud of every small achievement in our journey.

What are your secrets of balancing both work and your me time?

Something that’s really worked for me, is giving everything to the situation I am in. When I say that, the time spent with my daughter is all about her and likewise when I’m working, I only focus on that. This helps me work well in all spheres. I do a lot of positivity enforcing activities- meditation, yoga, etc. These help me remain calm through those extremely demanding days.

What are your future plans in next 5 years in terms of expansion of your business?

With Vanity I am building a market that’ll define the Indian Clean Beauty Industry. While bringing International Clean brands to India, we look to build a global market for the homegrown brands here. 5 years would see us build that, develop our own line of clean products and also attain over 30% of the market share in the sector. We have some exciting things lined up!

What are your tips for the fellow Moms in Business ?

Mothers have this superpower to foresee what their baby needs and multi task better than most. I think a business needs the same treatment like a child, you need to nurture it, work with it and let it grow with you.