Success often comes from the bold decision to turn personal challenges into powerful opportunities. Few embody this spirit more profoundly than Michelle Ranavat, the founder and CEO of RANAVAT, a luxury Ayurvedic skincare and haircare brand that has become a global pioneer in elevating Indian beauty traditions to the world stage. From Wall Street to Ayurveda, from financial crisis to entrepreneurial triumph, her journey reflects resilience, cultural pride, and the belief that timeless rituals deserve modern recognition.
Michelle Ranavat: Early Life, Education, and the Seeds of Curiosity
As a first-generation Indian American, Michelle Ranavat grew up balancing dual worlds—deeply connected to her Indian heritage while carving her own space in the United States. In 2003, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Later, she pursued her master’s in engineering management at Tufts University.
Her time at UW–Madison was more than just academic. It was transformational. For Michelle, college represented freedom from high school’s narrow social boxes. She found herself in an inclusive community where collaboration, curiosity, and creativity thrived. She learned to ask questions without fear, embrace not knowing, and find joy in problem-solving—skills that would later prove invaluable in entrepreneurship.
Wall Street Dreams and the Collapse That Changed Everything
After graduation, Michelle’s career began at Lehman Brothers on Wall Street, where she worked in investment banking. But in 2008, the global financial crisis brought down Lehman, abruptly ending her career in finance.
What could have been a devastating setback became a pivotal turning point. Michelle turned to her father’s pharmaceutical manufacturing business, where she immersed herself in every aspect of production—supply chain, quality control, sourcing, and sales. This experience not only sharpened her technical expertise but also rekindled her love for understanding how things are made.
Michelle Ranavat: Motherhood, Postpartum Struggles, and Returning to Ayurveda
Michelle’s most personal transformation came after the birth of her two sons in 2013 and 2016. Like many new mothers, she faced postpartum hair loss and skin concerns. Searching for healing, she reconnected with her South Asian roots and turned to Ayurveda—the ancient Indian science of wellness.
But Michelle quickly realized a gap in the market: while Ayurvedic remedies were powerful and effective, they weren’t presented in a luxurious, premium, or accessible way. This sparked a groundbreaking idea: to marry ancient Ayurvedic rituals with modern science and luxury presentation. The vision for RANAVAT was born.
The Birth of RANAVAT
In 2017, Michelle officially launched RANAVAT, a beauty brand that redefined Ayurvedic skincare and haircare. The company is known for using clinically tested, high-quality ingredients like hand-harvested saffron from Kashmir, delivering not just results but also an elevated sensory experience.
RANAVAT quickly became the first South Asian Ayurvedic skincare brand to be carried by luxury retailers such as Sephora and Harrods—a monumental achievement that placed South Asian beauty on the global luxury map.
But RANAVAT is more than just a brand; it’s a movement. Michelle’s mission has always been clear: to showcase the luxurious side of Ayurveda, elevating rituals once confined to tradition into powerful practices embraced by the modern world.
Impact, Growth, and a Legacy in the Making
Today, RANAVAT generates over $15 million in annual sales and continues to grow globally. Michelle envisions her brand as a legacy—something that will last beyond fleeting beauty trends. “There’s so much work to be done,” she often says, emphasizing her desire to expand globally and tell deeper stories about Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom.
Her role as CEO is hands-on. From product development to supply chain management, she draws on her engineering background to ensure efficiency, precision, and quality. At the same time, she emphasizes the human side of leadership, building a culture of respect, collaboration, and creativity within her team.
Giving Back and Empowering Others
Michelle believes that success is not complete without giving back. RANAVAT donates 1% of its proceeds to the Desai Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers women and children in India through community development programs.
She also finds joy in mentoring the next generation of leaders. Through her talks at universities and organizations, Michelle encourages students to embrace challenges and step outside their comfort zones. Her advice is simple but powerful: “You can always take the easy road, but when you look back, it won’t feel as fulfilling as pushing yourself beyond what you thought was possible.”
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