Our guest this week is Rakesh Aggarwal, the visionary owner of beauty giant Escentual.com. He joins us to share his insights into the world of technology and its intersection with the beauty industry.

The high-end online beauty retailer, which stocks brands including Burberry, Clarins and Dior is a family-grown business, launched by Rakesh Aggarwal more than 20 years ago as an online arm of his father Raj‘s chain of pharmacies in and around Cardiff.

From humble beginnings in his parents' garage to riding the dot-com boom wave, Rakesh's journey is a testament to grit, entrepreneurial spirit, and a visionary approach. This episode is a masterclass in brand storytelling, purpose-driven retail, and navigating the challenging terrains of securing funding rounds that could potentially affect company culture.

During the conversation, Rakesh shares his experiences as a business owner and the tech stack that has driven the business to a multi-million-pound turnover. Learn how to make informed tech investments that promise a significant ROI, and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls of adopting technology.

He also discusses the challenges he has faced with adopting technology and the importance of renewing and updating your tech stack to stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

The beauty industry is a dynamic space where trends and consumer preferences change rapidly. Escentual's ability to bridge the gap between technology innovation and customer demands has been the core ingredient of its success; Rakesh’s story provides valuable insights that can inspire businesses and drive meaningful success.

Lastly, he shares his insights on how to retain employees with a clear vision and decision-making autonomy. This episode is a must-listen if you're passionate about e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and technology that makes a difference!

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