From Miss Nepal to CEO: Anushka Shrestha on Beauty, Business & Brown Identity

In this powerful episode of What’s Brown Got To Do With It, I sit down with Anushka Shrestha — Miss World Nepal 2019 and founder of the luxury Nepali dessert brand, Makuse. Anushka opens up about her journey from international pageant stages to launching a purpose-driven business rooted in cultural identity.We talk about what it means to represent a “small” country on a global platform, how pageantry can be a tool for impact, and why celebrating local heritage — from traditional desserts to indigenous languages — matters now more than ever.She shares candid stories about family expectations, breaking stereotypes, and the bold decisions that led her to leave a banking career to pursue a bigger vision. Whether you’re interested in global identity, entrepreneurship, or the real behind-the-scenes of pageantry, this one’s not to be missed.✨ Topics we cover:The realities of competing at Miss WorldNavigating cultural pride and pressureBuilding Makuse and reviving traditional Nepali dessertsThe role of brown identity in global spacesWhy purpose should lead your platform