Think of a girl, who appeared in her 10th class final exam in a boarding school to find out that, post her exam she was to get married due to some Mangal Dasha. Without realizing what’s happening in her life, she landed in Sasural – a rich industrial family, where everything was available except something to do. She continued with her studies and completed graduation and gradually two pretty daughters came in her life.
She wanted to convert her dreams and twinkles to reality, wanted to do something on her own, utilise her potential, her energy in something which would be HERS and you will be amazed to know this spark came when 40s were round the corner… 40s not arena but her age!
MEET RUPICA CHANDAY
A vibrant, charming, energetic, enthusiastic woman who is always on toes with life. A typical Punjabi woman, who turned Business woman from a typical housewife, running two franchisee of VLCC (Batala and Kapurthala). She has plans to open 3 more and maybe a cafe along with a boutique.
“Life is beautiful with two pretty daughters, wealth all around, good social status but something is still missing. Maybe the purpose of my life? Am I here to flaunt something which is not even sourced by me? Am I born to be a doll?”
Restless she had been till the time she got into business herself. Restlessness was increasing with every passing day. One fine day her husband offered her to join in the family business but she wanted to do something of herself, a feast for her own soul and not for her pocket.
“After consultation and advice of few good friends, I started to explore multiple business ideas and finally zeroed in on the beauty business. I had good experience of various salons and had seen the business and trend evolving in last few years. After discussing on various options, we decided for VLCC, which was fast gaining ground as an Up-market Salon.
Our first centre was Batala, which did extremely well from day one and way above our expectations. In last three years, business has grown by 20% YTY. Initially, we were also not too sure about market, but the way people have responded, this being an eye opener. In Batala, maximum sales come from rural areas. It was a myth that only people living in urban areas are conscious about their looks and health. People in rural areas are equally conscious.”
Internet and social media reach have spread the concept of self care to further places than we believe. And that’s why the market is growing fast. Growth rate in health, beauty and wellness Industry in India is almost double of US and Europe. Although, we are in nascent stage in terms of overall size of market as compared to western countries, we are growing fast. A KPMG Wellness Sector report released in April this year projected that the size of India’s beauty and wellness market would nearly double to Rs 80,370 cr by 2017-18 from Rs 41,224 cr in 2012-13.
Industry per-se is facing few issues – biggest one is perception. Salons are still perceived as beauty parlours, where you go for hair dos, makeups or facials. Slowly people are realizing that these centres are providing complete solution for any skin, hair and other beauty related issues. We hire experts for each field, who analyse skin or hair and recommend suitable product. We all have different skin or hair type and hence one product does not fit all. On bright side, people are understanding this and that’s why we have huge numbers of repeat customers.
Second biggest problem is availability of trained manpower but new generation kids have realized that wellness industry provides huge job opportunities and they are enrolling for professional courses. VLCC and Lakme have opened institutes for this purpose, which are in huge demand. We also wanted to open a VLCC Institute but someone else pipped us and took it before us, says smiling Rupica.
Talking about her business, Rupica says that Haircare, Skin and Bridal Makeup are where, maximum demand is. All girls are already beautiful, we only help her realise it, with the use of few products.
Now a days, all big brands are focusing on innovative products in all segments; be it skin or hair or anything else. New product ranges are increasingly using natural products and few items are even prepared from platelets taken out from person itself, which is easily absorbed by skin, without any side effect but much superior results. Product ranges are extremely large with specific benefits, however one needs expert guidance for real benefits.
Today’s upwardly mobile generation is very well informed, educated, conscious, non-compromising and ready to spend money on everything best including self-care and that’s where the real market and opportunity is.
“The biggest satisfaction comes after seeing smiles on the brides on their big day. And yes, I just bought Merc E Class from the earnings of my own business” – says Rupica with childish big smile on face.
(Rupica Chanday belong to Chanday Family, who owns about 11 production units in Batala and successfully running two VLCC Franchisee on her own, as independent business unit)
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