Personal Care
Where Tradition Meets Scale: Inside Aryan Veda’s Growth Story
1. Early Inspiration and Entrepreneurial Journey
How did your journey from engineering to building Aryan Veda begin?
Himanshu Chadha: My father worked with Godrej for 25 years before starting a chemical trading business. I was inspired by those stories, especially around Adi Godrej. After studying chemical engineering at IIT Delhi, I chose to become a job creator. I started small, making my first cream and shampoo at home with just ₹50,000 and a one-room factory.
2. Hustle and Early Manufacturing Innovation
How did you build the business in the early days?
Himanshu Chadha: I started with petroleum jelly in winters and shampoos in summers. I used simple tools like chai kettles for production. At a time when only large companies were doing sachets, I developed ₹1 and ₹2 packs. It was pure jugaad and learning by doing.
3. Evolution of the Indian Market in Ayurveda
How has the market evolved over the years?
Himanshu Chadha: The journey has been through multiple phases. From a sellers’ market limited to hubs like Sadar Bazar and Crawford Market, to tax reforms like GST and demonetisation creating efficiency, and now to a phase driven by e-commerce and quick commerce.
4. Shift to Clean Beauty and Ayurveda
Why did you move towards Ayurveda and clean beauty?
Himanshu Chadha: I realised many chemical ingredients used earlier were harmful. I spent three years studying Ayurveda and shifted to safer formulations using herbal extracts. Ayurveda focuses on solving problems at the root, not offering quick fixes. We also ensured we were cruelty-free and later got certified.
5. Transparency and Winning Gen Z Trust
How did you build trust with modern consumers?
Himanshu Chadha: We always believed in transparency, even before it was mandatory. With concepts like Cosmeto Food, we showed how safe and natural products can be. Today’s consumers, especially Gen Z, value authenticity over influencer hype. With brands like Glow Well, we combine natural ingredients with modern actives.
6. Global Challenges and Competitive Edge
Why has Ayurveda not scaled globally like yoga?
Himanshu Chadha: Yoga is a process, but Ayurveda involves products, which face scrutiny over ingredients and safety. To scale globally, we need transparency and world-class processes.
How do you compete with large players like Patanjali?
Himanshu Chadha: We focus on agility and innovation. Our product development cycle is under 30 days. Being people-driven and design-led helps us stay ahead of slower, larger organisations.
7. Regionalisation and Consumer Insights
How do you cater to India’s diverse market?
Himanshu Chadha: Preferences vary widely. Larger packs work in Punjab and Haryana, while glycerin products do well in the Northeast and Bengal. We even customise packaging language. We also bring in traditional knowledge like Dadi-Nani recipes into our products.
8. Building Trust Through Packaging and Proof
How do you instil trust in your products?
Himanshu Chadha: We provide lab certificates and use QR codes so consumers can verify claims like SPF levels. Transparency and proof are critical to building trust.
9. Family, Culture and Future Vision
How has working with family shaped the business?
Himanshu Chadha: My wife joined the business and we divided roles after learning from global programmes. Now even my sons are joining. We aim to build a ₹5,000 crore company while empowering women, who form 70% of our workforce.
10. Busting Myths Around Ayurveda
Is Ayurveda slow to show results?
Himanshu Chadha: It takes time because it addresses the root cause. It is not a quick fix but delivers long-term benefits.
Does Ayurveda have sunscreens?
Himanshu Chadha: Yes, ingredients like aloe vera and zinc oxide are used, and we enhance them with modern techniques for better application.
11. Personal Discipline and Wellness
How do you stay fit?
Himanshu Chadha: I am an avid marathon runner. I have completed events like the Procam Slam and international marathons in Berlin and Tokyo. Running is like meditation for me.
12. Changing Conversations Around Men’s Health
How is awareness around men’s health evolving?
Himanshu Chadha: Awareness is increasing. Ingredients like Shilajit are no longer taboo and are now seen as energy boosters. We are also innovating with new formats like dissolvable strips to appeal to younger consumers.