In today’s episode, we sit down with Shaily Malhotra, Founder of Fixderma and the newest Shark on Shark Tank India Season 5, who built a ₹1500+ crore global skincare brand from scratch without chasing hype, shortcuts, or vanity metrics.

Shaily shares the real story behind Fixderma’s journey, from starting with dermatologists and pharmaceutical-grade formulations to building one of India’s most respected science-backed skincare brands present in 35+ countries. She also reveals what really happens behind the scenes at Shark Tank, how deals are evaluated, and why being sharp matters more than being loud.

This is not a glamour startup story. It’s a masterclass in patience, product obsession, manufacturing excellence, and the kind of stubbornness, or as she calls it “ढीट”, that actually builds long-term businesses.

She also breaks down skincare industry myths, sunscreen controversies, active ingredients like retinol and niacinamide, D2C versus doctor channel, quick commerce growth, fake revenue narratives, and why most founders misunderstand branding.

Whether you're building a D2C brand, entering FMCG, exploring manufacturing, or just curious how real businesses are built beyond Instagram hype, this episode is packed with hard-earned clarity and founder-level wisdom.

Key points from the podcast:

1. How Fixderma scaled to ₹1500+ crore with strategic patience
2. The truth about Shark Tank India. Is it scripted and what really happens behind the scenes
3. Why product is more important than marketing in the long run
4. The sunscreen testing debate explained, In Vivo vs In Vitro
5. How dermatologist trust built Fixderma before D2C ever started
6. The real math behind revenue claims and startup PR exaggeration
7. Why stubbornness is a founder’s biggest advantage
8. Doctor channel vs D2C vs retail vs export, how to balance multiple revenue streams
9. Manufacturing in-house vs outsourcing and what most founders ignore
10. The reality of building a global Indian brand from scratch

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone building something real.

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About Nitin Joshi
Nitin Joshi is a Visionary Entrepreneur, Content Creator,, Impactful Business Educator, and Dynamic Public Speaker who is redefining how people approach entrepreneurship and business growth.

With a unique ability to simplify complex concepts, Nitin empowers his audience with actionable insights that lead to real-world results.

In just 3 months, he achieved the milestone of 1 million followers on Instagram by consistently delivering valuable and relatable content for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts.

Why follow Nitin Joshi?
• Stay updated with the latest trends in business, finance, and leadership
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• Get inspired to take bold steps in your entrepreneurial journey

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#sharktankindia #skincare #sharktank #newjudge #businesseducation

0:00 - Introduction
1:48 - About Shark Tank India
13:17 - Why Fixderma sponsored Shark Tank
17:07 - How She Started Fixderma
30:14 - What is Private Label
33:18 - Exporting Production Abroad
37:21 - Indian Skincare Market
47:59 - About Sunscreen and Product Testing
53:45 - Basic Skin Care For Everyone
1:10:09 - Difference between In-vivo and In-vitro Testing
1:13:29 - Fake PR of Brands
1:26:51 - markting Lesson for 2026
1:34:32 - E- Commerce VS Q- Commerce
1:39:28 - Stop Doing This With Your Sking
1:43:00 - About IPO's
1:44:03 - Importance of Education
1:55:00 - End of Conversation