Discover the inspiring journey of Vineeta Singh, co-founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetics. From a childhood magazine venture to rejecting a Rs 1 crore job offer, learn how she built a Rs 4,000 crore beauty empire.
As the co-founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, a brand now valued at Rs 4,000 crore, Vineeta Singh's success is a testament to her vision. However, her journey is not just about her current achievements, it's a story of determination and resilience. With a background in education from top institutions like IIT and IIM, Vineeta turned down a lucrative Rs 1 crore job offer to follow her entrepreneurial dream, inspiring millions along the way.
Background
Vineeta Singh was born in 1983 in Anand, Gujarat, but she spent much of her childhood in Bhavnagar with her grandmother. When her father, a doctor, secured a position at AIIMS in Delhi, her family relocated. Vineeta attended Delhi Public School, RK Puram, for her early education. At just 10 years old, she began to develop an interest in business by starting a small magazine with a friend. They sold it door-to-door for just 3 rupees, marking her first entrepreneurial venture and planting the seeds for her future in business.
Education
Vineeta's academic journey was nothing short of exceptional. With immense dedication and hard work, she completed her engineering degree from IIT Madras and later pursued an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. During her time at IIM, she was presented with job offers from several prestigious companies. Among them was an offer from an investment bank with an impressive 1 crore rupee salary package. However, Vineeta made a bold decision that most would hesitate to make, she turned down the lucrative offer. She realized that her true passion lay beyond the corporate world. Vineeta was determined to build something of her own, to create a business that would leave a lasting impact.
Startups
At the age of 23, Vineeta took the first step in her entrepreneurial journey by launching her first startup, “Quetzal.” However, the road ahead was far from easy. She pitched her idea to 10 to 12 investors, but faced rejection at every turn. Despite having turned down a high-paying job offer, Vineeta had to take up a job later with a modest salary. But instead of giving up, she pushed forward. This challenging experience only made her more resilient and determined to succeed.
Business success
In 2012, Vineeta launched her second startup, “Fab Bag,” a subscription-based beauty service where customers received a curated selection of cosmetic and personal care products each month. Although the venture didn’t achieve the level of success Vineeta had hoped for, it was during this time that she identified a significant opportunity in the Indian beauty market. She realized that Indian women were seeking beauty products tailored to their unique skin tones and specific needs. This insight sparked a powerful business idea that would later become the foundation of Sugar Cosmetics.
In 2015, Vineeta, along with her husband Kaushik Mukherjee, co-founded Sugar Cosmetics, with the aim of creating beauty products specifically designed for Indian women. Today, the company is valued at Rs 4,000 crore, and its products are not only beloved in India but also internationally.
Last Updated Feb 3, 2025, 10:14 AM IST