At just 28 years old, Karishma Vijay has won the jackpot. Her career is a guide to success. Here’s what you need to know!
This morning, digital creator Karishma Vijay is making headlines after securing a winning spot on the British TV programme The Apprentice. Competing against 19 other entrepreneurs, with a mix of innovative ideas, Vijay was the one to make it to the finish line for series 20.
What is The Apprentice?
The Apprentice is a British reality TV show that hosts several eager candidates with the chance to pitch and deliver a successful business model. In result, Lord Alan Sugar awards the winner with a £250,000 investment, on top of a thorough mentorship plan.
Sugar is the official enterprise tsar at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills of the United Kingdom. In 2024, he climbed the ranks in The Sunday Times Rich List as one of the richest men in the world. As well as his own success, Sugar is renowned for kickstarting the careers of many credible business partners. Including Tim Campbell, Harpreet Kaur and Ricky Martin, to name a few.
The Apprentice is advertised as a dream opportunity for eager young entrepreneurs to build a brand that can be the next best thing. It’s a fun business model with an audience that keeps on growing with each successful campaign.
Who is Karishma Vijay?
Vijay is a fast-rising businesswoman of British-Indian origin. She first came into the industry when she appeared on The Apprentice series 20 in January 2026. Her selling point was kishkin, a luxury, organic skincare company that seeks to tackle self-love and empowerment.
Having suffered with acne and skin issues herself, Vijay very quickly put herself in the shoes of the audience her brand was catering to. Seeing a gap in the market, the contestant went above and beyond to identify solutions in her own brand.
Throughout the programme, Vijay made a lasting impression, balancing a flamboyant charisma with a strong eye for business.
How Did Vijay Achieve Success?
Across 12 weeks of being on The Apprentice, Vijay not only stunned the judges week in, week out. The figures she made proved that she was a star talent to watch. Throughout her time on the programme, the winner made a lasting impression on Karren Brady. Especially, during the Gamified Fitness task, in which Brady told Vijay, “You bossed it, I thought.” Since winning, Vijay told ITV News her company has made “£250,000 in 72 hours of the final.”
These are just a couple of her standout moments.
What inspiration Can Young People Take from This?
There are several pointers young people can take from Vijay’s performance on the programme, but here are a few takeaways:
Identify Your Brand Idea: From the moment she graced our screens, Vijay had a definitive idea, with a strong vision of its audience and how it would stand out amongst the sea of competitors. Can you summarise your brand in a sentence? Can you distinguish it from the companies that have come before it?
Your People Skills Are Just As Important: Throughout the show, Vijay impressed not only the judges but her teammates with her vibrant personality. This was a shining quality that helped so many people have more interest in the contestant’s product. When you’re an entrepreneur, people skills are vital. It’s one thing to sell your product, but can you sell it well?
Know Your Market: Can you tell how your brand is going to sell to a vast range of people? From the first-time customers to the expert buyers? Can you distinguish the difference and make sure that each person is going to be satisfied? Knowing who your audience is and how to cater to it is an imperative skill to have if you want your brand to succeed!
Know the Intricate Details of Your Brand: In the interview episode, Vijay was tasked with distinguishing her oil from a range of other brands in a blind test. She later reveals, “I even know the way my oil moves. When it touches the rim of a bottle, how quickly it flows back down, I know the thickness of it.” Being able to know and defend your brand inside and out could be your gold dust!
Can Your Brand Make a Difference?: For Vijay, the key to kishkin being a successful brand is about making a difference. Rather than how much profit she can make. As an entrepenur this may seem like a stab in the foot. However, having a people-first approach is likely to make your company double in sales. Distinguishing a brand or product that can benefit its customers more than you is likely to give you a huge financial advantage. And was one of the biggest selling points for Vijay, leading her to a winning spot on The Apprentice.
Vijay’ s Response to Winning
While Vijay’s win is news to us, the star told ITV News:
“It was filmed Last May. It’s been a long secret, but you don’t know for sure, because they film the two outcomes. So, with myself and the other finalist, we found out a week ago… He watches over you. He watches over your business, your performance, and what you’re saying on social media. All of these things. You have to send him live updates. I was telling him ‘hey Lord sugar, i got engaged.’ I’m messaging all of these things. He’s up to date with my life, I tell him about all my sales.”
Want to read more success stories? Or learn tools to enhance your career? Become a member at Inside Success. Or, if you’d like to play a part in supporting the cause, you can donate here.
Laviea Thomas is a journalist at Inside Success who writes about film, music and politics.
Outside of that, she is an experienced freelance journalist with bylines in NME, The Quietus, Metal Hammer and more.
Over the years, Laviea has been an active panellist discussing fundamental conversations in the music industry, such as diversity and inclusion, and the importance of grassroots venues. She has been a panel guest for Kerrang! Focus Wales Festival, Future Yard and more.
