Ashish Mishra, the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Clensta, a Gurugram-based personal care D2C startup, has stepped down from his role. His resignation comes as the company explores a potential acquisition, which he stated did not align with his long-term career goals.
Reasons Behind the Exit
In a social media post, Mishra expressed gratitude to his team at Clensta and explained his decision. He wrote, “Time to move on to build something big! Thankful to the entire team at Clensta for their support and love during the tenure, but everyone has different aspirations in life and the acquisition strategy at such an early stage didn’t match my long-term goals.”
Mishra, who joined Clensta in September 2023, has a strong background in the consumer goods industry, having worked at Honasa Consumer (the parent company of Mamaearth) for over three years.
Acquisition Plans and Financial Struggles
Clensta is currently in talks for a potential acquisition following a challenging phase of financial difficulties. Reports suggest that the company has been struggling with cash flow issues and has faced hurdles in securing additional funding. The acquisition discussions indicate a strategic shift for the startup, which has been competing in the crowded personal care market.
Mishra’s departure comes at a crucial time for Clensta, as leadership changes often impact a company’s decision-making and business direction.
Mishra’s Future Plans in the Beauty Industry
After stepping down, Mishra hinted at his plans to launch a new business in the beauty and personal care space. He revealed that he has spent the past three months conducting market research and consumer surveys to identify gaps in the industry.
He stated, “I have been working extensively in the last three months on consumer research and market surveys to identify a clear gap in the market, alongside established HNI founders. Hopefully, we will curate something meaningful for a larger consumer base.”
This suggests that his next venture will focus on creating innovative beauty and personal care solutions that cater to evolving consumer needs.
Impact on Clensta and the D2C Market
Mishra’s exit marks a significant leadership change for Clensta, a brand that has been trying to establish itself in the competitive D2C personal care market. The company’s acquisition plans and financial struggles highlight the challenges that many startups face in sustaining growth.
As the D2C beauty and wellness industry continues to expand, Clensta’s future will depend on how it navigates this transition and whether the acquisition deal strengthens its market position. Meanwhile, Mishra’s upcoming venture is expected to leverage his experience in the industry and bring fresh innovations to the beauty sector.
