It got his journey underway in the world of cosmetics with Beardo, which initially focussed on beard-care products and was eventually acquired by Marico. By 2020, Valani had entered the make-up and skincare market with Renee Cosmetics.
"It taught me how powerful consumer insight can be when backed with clear positioning and execution. Beardo's experience gave us a good pulse on the beauty market and we went deeper by speaking to consumers, distributors and analysing data to understand what women really wanted," says Valani, 38, co-founder of Renee Cosmetics.
Growing up in a business family inspired Ahmedabad-based Valani to build something of his own. Pursuing business studies further helped him understand economy, market trends, brand building and how to read numbers. More importantly, it introduced him to Aashka Goradia Goble and Priyank Shah, who are his college buddies turned co-founders today.
"Over the years, that relationship has evolved into a strong professional partnership. The bond we share has helped us navigate challenges and make quicker, more aligned decisions, especially in high pressure situations. We understand each other's strengths and limitations well, which allows us to collaborate more effectively," he says.
My father has always been my biggest mentor. Watching him work taught me about integrity, discipline and how to stay grounded no matter the scale of success.
One lesson that has stayed with me is to build for value, not just valuation. That perspective helps me focus on long-term brand trust rather than short-term hype.
I try to keep mornings distraction-free. A bit of meditation, reflection and planning helps me stay aligned and focussed throughout the day.
I believe in prioritising tasks instead of multitasking. Blocking time for focussed work and trusting my team with responsibilities has helped me stay balanced.
The pandemic taught me the value of work-life balance. I became more mindful of switching off when needed and ensuring that my team did the same.
I unwind by spending time with the family, watching inspiring documentaries and sports. I also enjoy travelling and exploring new products and trends -- it keeps me creatively inspired.