Being an entrepreneur is in Divya Gugnani’s DNA. She got here to the trade from an unconventional path, pivoting from funding banking and personal fairness to the aesthetics-driven world of magnificence. Whereas it’s a transition that’s unusual on most resumes, her title, the “unintentional entrepreneur,” is simply a small a part of her story.
Now the founding father of the clear magnificence model, Wander Beauty, Divya’s trajectory serves as a robust reminder that at each step in our journey, we’re precisely the place we have to be. As is true for a lot of passionate, successful founders, Divya’s present enterprise was impressed by the challenges she was going through in her personal life. She got down to create an answer for busy folks looking for out clear magnificence necessities. And Wander Magnificence sits squarely on the intersection of those two pursuits.
“Our objective was to assist streamline the trendy girl’s routine so she will spend much less time preparing and extra time doing what she loves.”
As is conveyed in the intention behind each of her products, Divya’s lifestyle prioritizes this pairing of efficiency and finding joy in her every day. She limits her social media minutes, works out between meetings, and keeps tech out of her bedroom. With this structure set, she has more time for her children, more space for spontaneous creativity, and the bandwidth to feed a food-shopping obsession. Did I mention she swims at night?
Just as Divya knows how to build a company, she knows how to build a life. In both, she’s guided by her intuition and she’s not afraid to do things differently. This makes for a routine that offers both focus and flexibility. Dive into the inspiration below.
On Building an Unconventional Career
You left a successful career in investment banking and private equity to launch your business. What inspired you to take the leap?
I left my career in finance to become an entrepreneur and successfully started four different businesses. Prior to starting Wander Beauty, I worked at QVC after I sold my previous company to them. But while there, I found that I missed entrepreneurship. Ultimately, I saw a problem in my own beauty routine and decided to launch a business to solve that problem.
What was the impetus behind launching Wander Beauty, and what was the goal?
I was a working mom and had two kids in two years. I was more time-starved than ever, doing my makeup on the subway, my skincare at the gym, and my hair at my work desk. I realized that my products and routines were not made for beauty in motion: There were too many products, an arsenal of “must-have” tools, and products housed in packaging that was too heavy, bulky, and fragile to take beyond my vanity. I needed high-performance products that saved me time in my day and space in my beauty bag.
In 2015, Lindsay Ellingson and I launched Wander Magnificence to create clear, easy necessities you attain for day-after-day. Our objective was to assist streamline the trendy girl’s routine so she will spend much less time preparing and extra time doing what she loves.
The Lessons She’s Learned Along the Way
What values have driven the direction of Wander Beauty?
I believe in innovating, not imitating. When we first set out to launch mascara, everyone discouraged us because it was already a very crowded space. But we knew that we had something special with our mascara so we trusted our gut and went forward with the launch.
We innovated in the formula, delivery system, packaging, and the wand. Both our Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara and Mile High Club™ Volume and Length Mascara are now multi-award winners.
Pursuing Passion, Finding Success
If you could pin your success down to one thing, what would that be?
I always trust my gut and always follow my intuition.
What’s your favorite piece of career advice?
Learn to listen. Active listening is a vital skill for any leader. It builds and strengthens relationships between customers and brands, and between managers and employees.
Divya Gugnani Shares Her Morning Routine
What does a typical morning look like for you?
I start my day with ginger water and transcendental meditation to calm my mind and body and give me the strength I need to focus for the day. Then I empty my inbox and do some stretching before I drop the kids off at school. I often stop by the grocery store on the way home because I’m obsessed with food shopping and always trying new and interesting recipes. Then when I get home I start my workday.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I love to make this do-it-yourself yogurt with granola and fruit.
Take us by way of your magnificence routine.
I don’t wash my face within the morning. I begin by simply splashing my face with heat water after which spritz my face with Mist Connection Essence and Toner. I end my skincare routine with Sight C-er Vitamin C Focus and sunscreen.
For make-up, I begin with Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer after which add some coloration to my lips and cheeks with Double Date Lip and Cheek. Lastly, I swipe on a couple of coats of Upgraded Lashes Therapy Mascara. These merchandise maintain me prepared for the day.
Getting Dressed With Divya Gugnani
What’s your daily uniform?
I wear workout clothes or loungewear every day. I love Giapenta, ThirdLove, Athleta, and Heroine Sport. My day by day uniform has completely modified since quarantine as a result of I don’t have to enter the workplace since I’m working remotely from Miami.
What’s in your favourite getting-ready soundtrack?
“Tusa” by KAROL G and Nicki Minaj, and “Dákiti” by Unhealthy Bunny and Jhay Cortez.
What about your favourite books?
Rituals and Products for a Smooth, Successful Morning
What do you always keep on your nightstand?
I like to keep my nightstand clear so I don’t have any distractions. I keep a pen and paper in my drawer for any late-night ideas because I don’t like to touch my phone at night. My bedroom is a haven for me. I don’t do any work there and I don’t have a TV or any electronics in the room. I do, however, keep my phone since I use it for my alarm, but it’s on Do Not Disturb mode.
What are your morning media rituals?
I like to focus on my work first thing in the morning, so I hold off on checking my Instagram, the news, and other media until later on in the day. I really enjoy reading The New York Times every single day.
Do you work out in the morning?
I try to fit in a mid-morning or lunchtime workout if I have a break between meetings. I alternate between weights circuits and cardio (elliptical, treadmill, biking, or spinning). My favorite exercise is swimming and I usually swim in the evenings after work. It’s a relaxing way to end the day while getting a good workout in.
What do you do to stay present and grounded?
I thank God once a day, every day for everything that I have: health, a roof over my head, hot food to feed my kids, and that I’m still able to spend time with both of my parents. I think that the best thing I can do is express gratitude every day and there’s not one day that goes by without me thanking God.
Sentence Finishers
I never leave the house without: my Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer. You by no means know who you’re going to see.
If there have been extra hours within the day, I’d: train day-after-day.
Healthiest morning behavior: morning meditation.
Worst morning behavior: checking Instagram.
One factor I need to be recognized for is: serving to others.
The most important sacrifice I’ve made for my profession is: lacking particular moments in my youngsters’s lives.
The one factor I concern essentially the most is: being irrelevant.
Once I really feel that concern, I: learn every thing and keep present with what’s occurring on this planet round me.
The e-book I all the time advocate is: The Trip of a Lifetime.
The highest traits you could reach life are: exhausting work, confidence, and mental curiosity.
