Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | July 08,2025 | A deep-rooted passion for business and the drive to create something new helped Himanshu Adlakha establish a distinct identity in India. Long before Winston India became a household name, his entrepreneurial spirit had already taken shape. Growing up in Faridabad, surrounded by his family’s established electronics distribution business that catered to global brands like LG and Luminous, technology was always within reach. Yet, despite this solid foundation, Himanshu aspired to carve his own path. His wife, Nikita Malhotra, shared the same ambition. Having already made a mark by importing and selling beauty products via Instagram, she had developed a keen understanding of D2C commerce. Their complementary skills laid the foundation for Winston India, which they launched during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown, offering technologically advanced personal beauty devices that delivered a salon-like experience at home.
Their entrepreneurial journey started modestly-with a personal investment of Rs. 30 lakh and a small Instagram page.
They imported 5,000 premium hair trimmers from China, relying heavily on influencer marketing to test consumer response. The gamble paid off-the entire stock sold out in just 16 days. This highlighted an unmet demand for reliable, high-quality grooming devices accessible from home. Energized by the early success, they rapidly expanded their product catalog to include eyebrow trimmers, callus removers, LED face masks, massagers, and combs. Within a year, they had about 18 SKUs. Revenue grew just as swiftly-from Rs. 60 lakh in their first year to Rs. 5.5 crore in FY 2022-23. Himanshu and Nikita set their sights on Rs. 18 crore for the next year, aiming to capture 5-6% of India’s rapidly growing Rs. 8,500 crore trimmer market. However, they realized that brand credibility was key to scaling-something Shark Tank India Season 2 would soon deliver.
Established as a Mid-Premium Brand in Personal Care Electronics
In Episode 5 of Shark Tank India, the couple confidently pitched Winston, seeking Rs. 1 crore for 4% equity at a Rs. 25 crore valuation. Despite concerns about their Chinese manufacturing ties and product originality, Sharks Anupam Mittal of Shaadi.com and Vineeta Singh of Sugar Cosmetics saw potential. Recognizing Winston’s early traction and vision, they struck a deal for Rs. 1 crore in exchange for 10% equity. The impact of Shark Tank was immediate and transformative-website traffic rose by 114%, and in January 2023 alone, daily sales surged to Rs. 1.5 crore. Their customer base grew from 20,000 to over 100,000. Supported by platforms like Amazon, Nykaa, Flipkart, Tata 1MG, Blinkit, and Ajio, Winston’s D2C model became the backbone of its growth, with 75% of sales coming from these marketplaces. Flagship products like trimmers and skincare devices became bestsellers, cementing Winston as a trusted mid-premium brand in personal care electronics.
Financial figures reflected this momentum. By mid-2024, revenue had jumped from Rs. 4.78 crore the previous year to Rs. 15.5 crore. Their operations remained lean and service-focused, offering a one-year doorstep replacement warranty that built consumer trust in a category often criticized for unreliable products.
Face and Eyebrow Trimmers Contributed the Most to Sales
Even before Shark Tank, Winston’s sales were promising. In FY 2021-22, they earned Rs. 1.2 crore. By the time they pitched on national TV, they had reached Rs. 1.5 crore in sales and were projecting Rs. 18 crore for FY 2023-24. Their best-selling face and eyebrow trimmers accounted for 46% of total sales, while the callus remover contributed 20%. In July 2022, the company posted a net profit of Rs. 3.44 lakh with a complaint rate of less than 0.5%, indicating solid profitability. Despite concerns from Sharks like Namita Thapar, who questioned the authenticity of Chinese-sourced products, and Peyush Bansal, who felt he couldn’t add value, Winston’s strategic vision remained strong. Nikita’s clarity in branding, customer relations, and after-sales service set them apart from transactional sellers. Their 3S strategy-Smart, Strong, Super Easy-perfectly encapsulated their product philosophy.
Progressing with a Vision for ‘Make in India’
Today, Winston is moving beyond its initial D2C playbook. With support from Anupam and Vineeta, they’ve invested Rs. 2 crore in R&D and launched advanced hair styling devices like multi-stylers and plasma ion dryers, priced between Rs. 12,000-18,000. They’re also reducing reliance on China and aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision by shifting towards local manufacturing. Their roadmap includes offline shop-in-shop formats, deeper market penetration, and a revenue target of Rs. 100-180 crore by FY 2027. From a sold-out Instagram product to a Shark Tank-backed powerhouse, their journey highlights how strategic positioning, product quality, and relentless execution can transform a small home-grown idea into a national success story.
 Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
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