Vinita Jain,

Chairperson and Managing Director of Biotique

It may seem borderline dramatic to describe a person as iconic, but it’s a more than fitting word when applied to Vinita Jain who realised the remarkable efficacy of Ayurveda early in her childhood when her parents who owned tea estates in Assam and Darjeeling would use the ancient wisdom to treat the workers on the estate. But it was a course in Biochemistry from Switzerland, and then a management programme at the Stanford Graduate Business School that actually helped Jain turn her passion into a fledging business. Biotique was launched in 1992 after Jain formed a team of six Ayurveda doctors and Biotechnologists to do R&D on the products. “We got instant appreciation as Biotique products were highly efficacious and result driven. The combination of the 5,000-year-old science of ayurveda and 21st century biotechnology was a win-win and it didn’t take long for the brand to scale up the popularity charts,” says the reticent founder.

Biotique products are available in 60 countries and continues to be a privately held company. “Biotique is internally funded, and a zero-debt cash-rich company. We have been approached by private equity players and investors but we are not looking for external investors.”

Steve Jobs’ innovative streak continues to inspire Jain who has made yoga and meditation an integral part of her life. Apart from playing squash and travelling Jain is also a voracious reader. “I read and write Sanskrit and love reading ancient Vedic textbooks.”

ADVICE TO FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS: Follow your passion. When you do that, there will be a way to achieve it