Meet the founder who struggled in a film career, turned entrepreneur, and built a Rs 50 Cr business

Parul Gulati, the founder and CEO of her hair extensions brand ‘Nish Hair’, is an Indian actress who has appeared in several Punjabi films.

In 2022, she also appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank India, where everyone was impressed with her and raised Rs 1 crore for 2% equity from Amit Jain, CEO and Co-Founder at CarDekho.

She mentioned that before her appearance on the reality TV show, the company’s monthly revenue was Rs 80 lakh, and now it’s 3X that amount.

Parul Gulati: Early Life and Career

Parul Gulati was born on August 6, 1994, in Rohtak, Haryana, India. Her acting journey began in 2010 with her debut on the TV show “Kitani Mohabbat Hai” (season 2).

She then appeared in the soap opera “Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam” in 2010. In 2012, she acted in the film “Burrraahh” as Rose.

After a break, Gulati went to RADA, a drama school in London, and worked on theater projects in Mumbai. She returned to the big screen with “Romeo Ranjha” in 2014.

In 2016, Gulati starred in “Zorawar” alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh. She continued with TV series like “P.O.W. – Bandi Yuddh Ke” in 2017. In 2018, she appeared in the web series “Haq Se” as “Jo March,” an adaptation of “Little Women.”

Additionally, Gulati featured in the Netflix production “Selection Day” based on Aravind Adiga’s novel.

She also appeared in “Girls Hostel” (2018–19) for The Viral Fever’s Girliyapa.

Parul Gulati at a Photoshoot
Parul Gulati

Parul Gulati’s Venture into Entrepreneurship with Nish Hair

After spending nearly 6-7 years in acting, she didn’t gain popularity and struggled in the industry. So Parul Gulati decided to venture into entrepreneurship without giving up her acting career.

In 2017, she launched Nish Hair, driven by a desire to leave a mark. Nish Hair offers a wide array of 100% human hair extensions and accessories, including wigs and clip-in bangs. Recently, they even introduced a hair perfume.

Understanding the emotional impact of hair loss, especially for women, Gulati sees Nish Hair extensions as confidence boosters, akin to makeup concealing imperfections.

She lacks business experience. At the start, she learned about making hair extensions, seeing an opportunity to help people with hair loss issues like cancer and alopecia.

Initially, many didn’t take her seriously, and discussing hair extensions was uncomfortable for some. However, Gulati stayed positive.

She works with two vendors for human hair, managing coloring and preparation herself. Nish Hair offers 45 products in four categories, catering to different needs. Prices vary, with options ranging from Rs 1,100 to Rs 36,000.

With an all-women team of 35, Nish Hair aims to expand across India. They started online but now have offline studios for trials and consultations in Mumbai, with plans for more stores.

They also collaborate with salons and offer video call services for older customers. Products are available online and on platforms like Amazon.

Also read: Meet the Couple Who Made Rs 15 Lakhs in Just One Month Selling Libido-Boosting Chocolates

Parul Gulati at Shark Tank India

Parul Gulati appeared in season 2, where she gained attention with her unique pitch, using the term “Nish Hair ki Malkin” (owner of Nish Hair).

She asked for Rs. 1 crore in exchange for 2% of her company.

Out of all the investors, Amit Jain offered the money for that equity, making Parul very happy. This valued her company at 50 crores.

Final Thought

Parul Gulati’s journey from acting to entrepreneurship with Nish Hair is truly inspiring. Despite facing challenges, she didn’t give up and found success by launching her own business.

With the help of Shark Tank India, she secured funding and expanded her company’s reach.

Nish Hair continues to grow, offering quality products to customers across India. Parul’s story teaches us the importance of perseverance and following our dreams.

Muskan, a passionate storyteller and social media manager at Startup Forte. With a talent for sharing impactful founder stories, she invites you to explore inspiring journeys with us.

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