What's Brown Got To Do With It?
"What's Brown Got to Do With It?" is a thought-provoking podcast delving into the triumphs and trials of the South Asian diaspora, featuring guests who bring unique perspectives to discussions on diversity. Host Shadia passionately drives the show towards fostering inclusive spaces, embodying a commitment to positive change through enlightening and inspiring narratives.
What's Brown Got To Do With It?
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 World
- Navigating cultural pride and pressure
- Building Makuse and reviving traditional Nepali desserts
- The role of brown identity in global spaces
- Why purpose should lead your platform