TV Actor Quits Acting at Her Prime, Starts Makeup Company with Rs 50 Lakh, Now Runs a Rs 1,200 Crore Beauty Empire
In a remarkable tale of reinvention, Aashka Goradia, a household name in Indian television, left acting at the peak of her career to launch Renee Cosmetics, a beauty brand that has grown from a modest Rs 50 lakh investment in 2018 to a staggering Rs 1,200–1,400 crore empire by 2024. Her journey from the small screen to the boardroom has captivated audiences, with media outlets like The Indian Express and The Economic Times celebrating her as a trailblazing woman entrepreneur. This blog explores Aashka’s bold career shift, the rise of Renee Cosmetics, and the lessons her success offers, drawing from sources like Hindustan Times, Financial Express, and posts on X.
From TV Stardom to Entrepreneurial Vision
Aashka Goradia’s acting career began in 2002 with the TV show Achanak 37 Saal Baad, but it was her role in Ektaa Kapoor’s Kkusum (2003) that made her a household name. Over nearly two decades, she starred in iconic shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka, Naagin, and Laagi Tujhse Lagan, often playing compelling negative characters. Her versatility extended to reality shows, including Bigg Boss 6, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4, Nach Baliye 8, and Khatron Ke Khiladi 4, cementing her status as a TV star. By 2017, Aashka was earning crores, with a net worth substantial enough to purchase her dream home in Mumbai at age 23, as she shared with Housing.com.
Yet, in 2021, at the height of her fame, Aashka made a bold decision to retire from acting to focus on entrepreneurship. In a LinkedIn post, she reflected on her transition: “Being in the spotlight for years has taught me that makeup has the power to transform an individual. Driven by an unwavering passion, I chose a path towards a different horizon… And thus, RENÉE was born—a venture that sums up my entrepreneurial spirit and the essence of my artistic soul.” Her deep understanding of cosmetics, honed under studio lights, became the foundation for her business venture.
The Rise of Renee Cosmetics
In 2018, a year before quitting acting, Aashka co-founded Renee Cosmetics in Ahmedabad with Priyank Shah and Ashutosh Valani, the creators of the men’s grooming brand Beardo. Starting with a modest Rs 50 lakh investment, Renee was launched as an internet-first brand, selling eye makeup, lip colors, skin serums, and highlighters exclusively online through platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and Myntra. The brand’s pricing strategy targeted women in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, positioning it as an affordable yet premium alternative to giants like Lakmé, Maybelline, MyGlamm, and Sugar Cosmetics.
Renee’s growth was meteoric. Within two years, it crossed Rs 100 crore in revenue, fueled by a digital-first approach and a focus on quality. By 2022, the company’s valuation reached $100 million (Rs 834 crore), and in 2024, it was valued at Rs 1,200–1,400 crore after raising Rs 100 crore in funding, per Financial Express. Aashka, as Chief Marketing Officer and Director, drives product management and marketing, while her co-founders handle finance, operations, and distribution. The brand now offers over 200 products and is available in 650+ retail stores, competing directly with Nykaa and Sugar Cosmetics.
The pandemic accelerated Renee’s rise, as online beauty sales soared. Strategic partnerships with e-commerce platforms and a gradual expansion into offline retail amplified its reach. In 2021, Renee won the CNBC Most Trusted Brand of India award, a testament to its quality and consumer trust. Reports from Mint suggest the company is eyeing a Rs 200 crore funding round to further scale operations, signaling ambitious plans for global expansion.
Aashka’s Personal Journey and Strategic Investments
Aashka’s entrepreneurial success is underpinned by her financial acumen, evident early in her career. Arriving in Mumbai from Gujarat at 16, she lived as a paying guest before buying her first home at 23—a wise investment that appreciated significantly, as she told Housing.com. Her decision to invest in property early mirrors her strategic approach to business, balancing risk and vision.
In 2017, Aashka married American businessman Brent Goble, whom she met on Nach Baliye 8. The couple moved to Goa in 2019 and welcomed their son in October 2023. A fitness enthusiast, Aashka shares yoga and gym sessions on Instagram, where she boasts 1.2 million followers, maintaining her public influence as a business leader. Her inclusion in the Fortune India 40 Under 40 list in 2023 alongside her co-founders reflects her growing stature in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Lessons from Aashka’s Success
Aashka’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Leverage Experience: Her two decades in television gave her insights into makeup’s transformative power, which she channeled into Renee’s product development. This underscores the importance of applying industry knowledge to new ventures.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with experienced entrepreneurs like Shah and Valani, who built Beardo, provided Renee with a strong foundation in operations and distribution.
- Market Focus: Targeting Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with affordable, high-quality products allowed Renee to carve a niche in a competitive market, outpacing established brands.
- Adaptability: Starting as an online-first brand and expanding offline during the pandemic shows Aashka’s ability to adapt to market trends.
Implications for India’s Beauty Industry
Renee Cosmetics’ success highlights the booming Indian beauty market, valued at $15 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $20 billion by 2028, per The Economic Times. Aashka’s digital-first strategy capitalized on the e-commerce surge, with platforms like Nykaa and Myntra driving growth. Her story also challenges the narrative around TV actors, as highlighted by Ram Kapoor’s comments on X about stars like Sakshi Tanwar and Ronit Roy building generational wealth. Aashka’s pivot to entrepreneurship shows that actors can transcend entertainment to create lasting business legacies.
However, the industry faces challenges, including intense competition and rising raw material costs. Renee’s ability to raise $48.5 million (Rs 400 crore) over five funding rounds, including $25 million in 2022, positions it to navigate these hurdles and pursue international markets.
Conclusion
Aashka Goradia’s transformation from a TV star to the co-founder of a Rs 1,200–1,400 crore beauty empire is a testament to vision, resilience, and strategic thinking. Starting Renee Cosmetics with Rs 50 lakh in 2018, she leveraged her industry experience, embraced digital platforms, and built a brand that rivals Nykaa and Sugar. Her story, covered by The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and Financial Express, inspires entrepreneurs to take bold risks and redefine success. As Renee eyes further growth, Aashka’s legacy as a business queen continues to shine. For more details, visit The Economic Times, Financial Express, and India.com.
