In 2025, one trend is impossible to ignore — influencers are launching their own brands. What started as brand deals and affiliate links has now evolved into full-scale entrepreneurship. From beauty and wellness to fashion and tech, influencer-led D2C brands in India are becoming the new normal.
So, why are influencers launching their own brands?
Let’s break down the movement, the models, and the mindset.
Influencer-Led D2C Brands India: A Rising Force
Influencer-led D2C brands in India are booming. With a direct line to highly engaged audiences and an understanding of what clicks, influencers no longer want to just promote products — they want to own them.
These creator-led brands in India are reshaping how commerce works. By cutting out middlemen, influencers enjoy higher margins, creative control, and brand equity. And that’s one of the key reasons why influencers are launching their own brands — they want to build businesses, not just content.
Why Influencers Are Launching Their Own Brands (Explained)
Let’s dig into the core reasons influencers are launching their own brands:
- Built-in Audience
Influencers have what most startups dream of — a loyal community. These followers already trust their recommendations. When they launch their own brand, they’re not marketing to strangers. They’re launching with a ready-made customer base. This advantage is a major reason why influencers are launching their own brands — they start from a place of trust, not obscurity.
- Higher Control & Profitability
Brand partnerships are great, but they come with rules, approvals, and tight margins. Influencers realized that by owning the product, they can decide pricing, packaging, messaging — everything. More importantly, they keep the majority of the profits. That financial independence is another powerful reason why influencers are launching their own brands.
- Authenticity in Influencer Marketing
Audiences today are smart — they can sense when a post is paid versus when it’s personal. When influencers promote their own product, it feels more real. They’ve used it, tested it, believe in it — and that authenticity converts. That’s why influencers are launching their own brands: it’s a natural extension of their content.
- Brand Fatigue from Sponsorships
Constant ads can erode trust. Influencers don’t want to become walking billboards. They want purpose-driven content and long-term vision. Creating their own brand helps them shift from selling other people’s products to building their own legacy — another reason why influencers are launching their own brands.
- Creator Economy Trends 2025 India
With better logistics, e-commerce platforms, and payment gateways in place, creators in India can now build and scale businesses faster than ever. The environment is ripe. From GST-compliant online stores to influencer-friendly supply chains, everything is supporting this shift. And that’s why influencers are launching their own brands at an unprecedented rate.
Influencer-Founded Brands: The Business Models
| Business Model Type | Description |
| Private Label | Influencers source generic products and rebrand them under their name, offering quick go-to-market solutions. |
| Custom Manufacturing | They create original products from scratch, offering uniqueness but with higher cost and time. |
| Digital Products | E-books, courses, presets, and other digital tools — perfect for creators in education or creative fields. |
| Subscription Models | Recurring revenue streams through curated boxes or services that reflect the influencer’s niche. |
Each model has its own pros and cons. Influencers often choose based on their audience’s needs, their personal bandwidth, and their long-term brand vision. And again, each path represents a reason why influencers are launching their own brands — to scale influence into income.
Influencers Building Personal Brands — Then Product Brands
Many influencers start by building a personal brand — through daily content, storytelling, and authenticity. Over time, they learn what their audience cares about, what problems they face, and what products would excite them. Then comes the next move: launching a product that fits seamlessly into that lifestyle.
This is why influencers are launching their own brands — it’s the natural evolution of a personal brand that has matured into a business.
Creator-Led Brands India: Success Stories
- Ankush Bahuguna – Wing It
Built a strong identity in beauty content and created a gender-inclusive makeup line.
- Shivesh Bhatia – Bake With Shivesh
Used baking tutorials and food content to launch tools and brand partnerships.
- Masoom Minawala – Fashion-forward commerce
Merged fashion storytelling with luxury and ethnic products.
These creators didn’t just chase virality — they built businesses. That’s why influencers are launching their own brands — for long-term equity.
Monetization Strategies for Creators in 2025
Sponsored posts and affiliate links are no longer the only monetization channels. Smart creators are now:
- Launching their own products to increase revenue control
- Offering paid communities, digital courses, and consultations
- Licensing content to brands and repurposing across media
Owning a brand gives them multiple revenue streams. And that’s a huge reason why influencers are launching their own brands — they want sustainability, not just one-off deals.
Why Are Influencers Launching Their Own Brands So Often Now?
It’s not just a trend — it’s a shift in mindset. Today’s influencer sees themselves as a brand, not a billboard. The move to brand ownership is about control, scalability, and impact. Platforms support it. Audiences welcome it. The ecosystem rewards it.
This is why influencers are launching their own brands — because the timing, tools, and trust are finally aligned.
Authenticity in Influencer Marketing: The Core Advantage
When content and commerce are aligned, magic happens. Influencers who build something they genuinely use and love bring a layer of authenticity that no paid campaign can replicate. That’s why audiences trust them. That’s why influencers are launching their own brands — because it’s honest, and it works.
Personal Brand vs Product Brand: Do You Need Both?
A personal brand is your voice. A product brand is your vehicle. When they work together, you get more than influence — you get impact.
Influencers today are merging both. That’s why influencers are launching their own brands — to amplify their voice and turn audience trust into long-term value.
Sustainable D2C Brand Founders: The Long Game
Modern consumers care about ethics, sustainability, and transparency. And smart influencers are responding:
- Ethical sourcing
- Transparent pricing
- Conscious packaging
These values deepen audience trust — another core reason why influencers are launching their own brands. It’s not just about profit. It’s about purpose.
People Also Ask — FAQs
Why do influencers start their own brands?
Because they have audience insight, trust, and distribution power. Instead of pushing someone else’s product, they want to build their own — that’s why influencers are launching their own brands.
How do influencers turn followers into customers?
By consistently delivering value, building trust, and launching products that reflect their audience’s desires. It’s content-led commerce.
Are influencer-led brands successful?
Yes — especially when grounded in authenticity, community, and product-market fit. Their success is exactly why influencers are launching their own brands in every category.
What is an example of an influencer-owned D2C brand?
‘Wing It’ by Ankush Bahuguna is a standout example in beauty. His personal connection with the product made it a hit.
Why are influencers moving away from brand deals?
Because they want control, better margins, and long-term brand value — another big reason why influencers are launching their own brands.
How do sustainable brands collaborate with influencers?
By aligning values, co-creating authentic products, and building slow, ethical commerce — making influencer-led partnerships more meaningful.
Can small influencers start their own brand?
Yes — in fact, micro-influencers often have the most engaged communities. Niche = power. That’s why influencers are launching their own brands — even without millions of followers.
What are the benefits of launching a brand as a creator?
Creative freedom, recurring revenue, control over storytelling, and long-term equity. All key reasons why influencers are launching their own brands.
In 2025 and beyond, why influencers are launching their own brands isn’t just a trend — it’s a transformation. They’re not just building audiences; they’re building assets.
Whether you’re a creator ready to launch, or a brand wondering how to work with them — one thing’s clear:
Influencers are launching their own brands — and the smartest ones are building for the long haul.