About this episode
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 finance The founding stories behind Wander Beauty and 5 SENS — and what she’s building now Why exits aren’t the finish line — they’re the inflection point The power of personal style when showing up in boardrooms, pitch meetings, and parenting Divya’s investment philosophy and what she looks for in founders How her closet — and confidence — evolved with every startup chapter Her take on identity, ambition, and staying rooted while juggling multiple roles Real 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/@IWantHerShoesPodcast Follow 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/dgugnani Divya's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dgugnani Divya's Websites: concepttoco.com and wanderbeauty.com EPISODE CREDITS: Writer and Host: Anna Anisin Produced, edited, and mixed by the Formulatedby Team LINKS: Visit the I Want Her Shoes Website Follow on Instagram Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter