HYDERABAD: For Shahnaz Husain, CEO of Shahnaz Herbals Inc and India’s best known entrepreneur known for her herbal care products, Hyderabad is a home away from home. In the city for the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Summit, she went nostlagic recollecting her connection with the city which goes back three generations. She was born in Hyderabad. Her maternal grandfather, Osman Uddaulah and his father Sir Afsar Ul Mulk were Commanders in Chief of the Nizam’s army and members of the royal family. Sir Afsar Ul Mulk, her great grandfather, was the most favoured Aide-de-Camp of the 6th Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan.
He used to lead the Nizam’s grand procession with thousands of torch bearers, horseman and sword dancers. Her paternal grandfather, Mirza Yar Jung was the Chief Justice of Hyderabad during the time of the 7th Nizam. Shahnaz still remembers her ancestral home in Hyderabad, Rahat Manzil in Saifabad, to which she returned at the age of 15 to shop for her wedding trousseau. Later, she renewed her beautiful link with Hyderabad with the Shahnaz Signature Spalour.
Talking about how her journey as an entrepreneur, she said, “I was the first woman in 104 years to receive the award of World’s Greatest Entrepreneur and I feel I have received it on behalf of the women in India. But I am surprised it took so long to discover me.” She adds, “With international cosmetic empires pumping billions of dollars into a hysterically mad cosmetic industry, selling youth & dreams in bottled jars… there I stood up and sold India’s ancient civilization in a jar.”
Shahnaz Husain had earlier spoken at Harvard Business School on how she created an international brand without commercial advertising, becoming a Harvard Case Study on Brand Creation and Now she is a Subject and part of the curriculum in Harvard Business School for “Emerging Markets.” This is in recognition of the international market for Ayurvedic beauty care created by Shahnaz Husain.
During her entrepreneurship journey, she has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the World’s Greatest Woman entrepreneur Award from Success, the US-based business magazine and the Padma Shri award. “My dream is to see Indian plant power lead the international cosmetic market during the coming decade,” she signs off.
