CKK: All our salons are very well equipped with all the equipments, which are
needed for a modern day Beauty salon. Having witnessed frequent changes in trends and techniques in the beauty industry, Naturals emphasis's on training support to its franchisees and staff on a regular basis. To ensure uniform services at all its salons, the company updates its franchisees and staff regarding the technical know-how and salon management skills. Under technical training, the company provides extensive training on new-age trends of hair, skin, nail and usage of beauty products, while under salon management, the company offers training on how to take care of a customer, managing the staff, inventory control, billing procedure, telephone handling, communication skills and other trainings to run the salon smoothly.BNI: What kind of investment did you make in the first salon?
CKK: We started our first salon with 5lac of rupees 10 years ago but now we would require 40 to 50 lacs of investment for a salon.
BNI: How did the concept of a 'salon chain' come about?
CKK: Going down history lane, the whole idea of franchising Naturals came about when the founder,
Mrs .Veena Kumaravel realized that it was going to be difficult to be in more than one place at a time and actually take care of things in a very customer service oriented business. Then came about the activity of finding like-minded people to fund the business and run it too and the rest is history with 83 salons across India and 100th salon very soon
BNI: Is it difficult to differentiate your salon in a competitive market?
CKK: Naturals have created a very strong brand image in South India and fast emerging as a big brand in other parts of India. Our salon chain has excelled in segment of unisex & family salon and is the largest unisex salon chain in India. So we have a definite edge over others and a greater share in beauty Industry.
BNI: How are Naturals different & what are your plans for the future?
CKK: The Company mulls to strengthen its network by opening 10 company-
owned salons and 1,000 franchised salons across the country in the next three to four years. Having a well-built market in south-India, the company is all set to storm the Non-South baton. In terms of expansion, Kumaravel says, "We have identified 105 salons in our first phase of expansion in non-South market, which will be opened before December 31, 2011."As of now, Naturals is aiming at cities like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhopal, Nagpur in the West; Kolkata, Bhuvaneshwar, Cuttak, Guwahati and Patna in the East; and Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jaipur in the north.
BNI: Your advice for those opening new salons?
CKK: Every entrepreneur has to have an in-depth knowledge of the sector he/she is planning to enter into. First-hand knowledge of the business or the industry is of prime importance. The rest is all about making well-versed decisions for financial and business development. The person who wants to open a new salon should have a passion for beauty, natural flair for business, willingness to lead the team and who are able to share the time in looking after the salon.
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Courtesy:BeautyNewsIndia.com Panel, All rights reserved.
