March 31, 2025, marked the end of an era as Hitesh Dhingra stepped away from The Man Company, the premium men’s grooming brand he co-founded in 2015 alongside Bhisham Bhateja and Parvesh Bareja. Over nine years, the trio transformed a niche concept into a powerhouse in the Indian grooming industry, redefining how men approach self-care.
The Birth of a Category in India
When The Man Company was launched, men’s grooming in India was an untapped market. Most Indian men relied on generic, mass-market products with little focus on premium ingredients or specialized formulations. The founders saw an opportunity—not just to sell grooming products but to shift an entire mindset. They aimed to position self-care as an essential, not an afterthought, creating a brand that blended luxury with functionality.
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The early days were anything but easy. The first product launch was a gamble. Finding the right retail partners was a struggle. Yet, the brand quickly found its footing, with one of the first major breakthroughs being a retailer willing to take a chance on them. Then came validation in the form of customers—emails, reviews, and word-of-mouth praise that signaled they had tapped into something real.
Scaling to Success
What started as a small venture rapidly grew into a ₹200 crore brand. The Man Company became synonymous with high-quality, chemical-free grooming products for men, offering everything from beard oils and shampoos to fragrances and skincare. The brand’s marketing strategies, influencer collaborations, and digital-first approach helped it capture a loyal customer base.
The company’s growth attracted major investors, and in 2020, Emami Ltd acquired a significant stake, further fueling its expansion. With a combination of e-commerce dominance and an increasing retail presence, The Man Company became a leader in India’s premium men’s grooming segment.
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The Founder’s Exit & The Road Ahead
After nearly a decade of building the brand, Hitesh Dhingra announced his departure. In an emotional reflection, he likened the experience to raising a child—nurturing it from infancy to independence. With Emami Ltd now at the helm, the company is poised for its next phase of growth, backed by a strong team and an established market presence.
Dhingra credits The Man Company with shaping him as much as he shaped it. The journey was filled with lessons in resilience, patience, and adaptability—lessons that will undoubtedly influence his next entrepreneurial venture. While the specifics of his future plans remain undisclosed, his track record suggests that this exit is just the beginning of another groundbreaking chapter in India’s startup ecosystem.
