Episode 36 - Building Power, Beauty & Businesses That Scale
In this high-impact episode of I Want Her Shoes Podcast, host Anna Anisin sits down with the brilliant and bold Divya Gugnani — serial entrepreneur, investor, beauty industry disruptor, and the woman behind multiple exits and iconic brands.Divya’s story is the ultimate blend of strategy, style, and stamina. From starting her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs to founding and scaling Send the Trend (acquired by QVC) and Wander Beauty (acquired by Nameless CPG), she’s built an empire — and she’s not done yet.Today, she leads Concept to Co, where she invests in the next generation of visionary brands (over 80 and counting), and 5 SENS, a sensorial fine fragrance brand redefining self-expression.With two decades of experience across finance, beauty, fashion, and venture, Divya brings a rare lens to entrepreneurship — one that blends data-driven decision-making with deep intuition and bold aesthetics. She’s also a mentor, mom, published author, and guest lecturer at top universities including Harvard and Wharton.Together, Anna and Divya dive into the realities of building and exiting companies, the evolution of personal style through the entrepreneurial journey, and what it takes to scale something meaningful without losing yourself in the process.👠 Key Moments:How Divya became an “accidental entrepreneur” after a successful career in financeThe founding stories behind Wander Beauty and 5 SENS — and what she’s building nowWhy exits aren’t the finish line — they’re the inflection pointThe power of personal style when showing up in boardrooms, pitch meetings, and parentingDivya’s investment philosophy and what she looks for in foundersHow her closet — and confidence — evolved with every startup chapterHer take on identity, ambition, and staying rooted while juggling multiple rolesReal advice for women who want to scale with soul, success, and style🎧 Tune in now for a powerhouse conversation filled with honesty, hustle, and high heels — and a front-row seat into what it looks like to lead, invest, and live boldly.If you’re a founder, investor, or multi-hyphenate woman carving your own path — this episode is your playbook.Adding a chic twist to each episode, the 'I Want Her Shoes Podcast' is recorded in Anna’s stunning personal closet, strategically located near the vibrant Miami Design District. This unique setting not only provides a visually captivating backdrop but also embodies the spirit of fashion and innovation that the area is known for.📺 Watch the episodes on YouTube to get a glimpse of this one-of-a-kind Miami closet—it’s definitely worth the view! https://www.youtube.com/@IWantHerShoesPodcastFollow us for more updates:Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoespodcast/Anna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoes/Divya’s LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-gugnani-6ba98/Divya’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/dgugnaniDivya's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dgugnaniDivya's Websites: concepttoco.com and wanderbeauty.com
EPISODE CREDITS:Writer and Host: Anna AnisinProduced, edited, and mixed by the Formulatedby TeamLINKS:Visit the I Want Her Shoes Website Follow on InstagramWatch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter
USA