Summary
Rupali Sharma, an entrepreneur from an orthodox family, transformed her personal struggle with hair fall into a successful business venture. In 2017, she founded Aegte, a nature-based personal care brand, with an initial investment of ₹5 lakhs. By 2023-24, Aegte achieved a revenue of ₹17 crores. Sharma’s journey began with her personal challenge of postpartum hair loss, which led her to develop and market onion oil. Despite initial skepticism and logistical challenges, Aegte’s innovative products quickly gained popularity. The brand has since expanded its product range and is now targeting a turnover of ₹24 crores for FY25, driven by strong consumer demand and strategic marketing.
Key Points
- Rupali Sharma launched Aegte in 2017 with an investment of ₹5 lakhs and achieved a turnover of ₹17 crores in 2023-24.
- Sharma’s inspiration came from her struggle with postpartum hair fall, leading her to use onion oil recommended by her grandmother.
- Aegte’s first product, onion oil, went viral, leading to rapid growth and competition from other brands.
- The name Aegte, derived from Danish, means “authentic,” reflecting the brand’s commitment to unique, high-quality products.
- Products include a range of personal care items, such as conditioners, shampoos, tinted balms, and a beetroot lip and cheek tint, all priced between ₹499-1099.
- Aegte is headquartered in Gurugram, with three warehouses in India and plans to expand into the Middle East.
- The company has been profitable since its first year, maintains a lean team, uses third-party manufacturers for 50% of its products, and remains bootstrapped.
