EXPANDING THE HORIZON

Kanishka Ramchandani in conversation with Vandana Bhardwaj, Managing Director and Spokesperson, Marie Claire Paris Salons, about the brand’s expansion plans and widening the scope of the beauty business.

Vandana Bhardwaj launched Marie Claire Paris Salons in India in 2018, and since then the brand has grown exponentially with partnerships and collaborations across the country. B2C Network LLP, which is the exclusive licensee in India for Marie Claire Paris brand, covers Marie Claire Paris Salon, Marie Claire Paris Salon & Wellness, Marie Claire Paris Just Nails and Marie Claire Paris International institute of Wellness and Aesthetics (IIWA). In the light of the setback the salon industry received due to the pandemic, and its resurgence in the form of the third wave, we get Bhardwaj to share with us insights into the business of beauty and understand from her the best tactic to deal with the situation in a profitable way.

HOW WAS THE YEAR 2021 FOR MARIE CLAIRE?

Year 2021 was extremely challenging. However, at the same time, it was intriguing as it taught us lessons on how to cope up with highs and lows of business especially during on and off lockdowns. I am delighted that we have been launching salons almost every other month.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE BRAND THIS YEAR?

We are coming up with new salons and will be launching our academy soon, too. We hope to reach our target of 100 salons soon.

WHAT WERE THE KEY CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACED IN YOUR EXPANSION PLANS FOR THE SALON?

Ensuring that our clients feel free and safe to visit our salons without any hesitation during the Covid crisis has been a priority and challenge for us.

APART FROM OPENING MORE DOORS, WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE MARIE CLAIRE BRAND?

It is to maintain the quality of the brand and to sustain the business, and make it a win-win for our franchisees as well as to our customers.

WHICH GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS ARE YOU TARGETING SPECIFICALLY? WHY?

We are targeting South and North India at the moment as the potential of Marie Claire Salon is high in these places, and we want to make a bench in these areas first. Gradually we will move to the East and the West, too.

HOW WERE THE LAST TWO YEARS CHALLENGING FOR YOU PERSONALLY? WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH AS A BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL?

Last two years have been extremely challenging. They have taught us how hard it is to sustain a business during a pandemic. We as a brand made sure that all our franchisees are able to cope with the situation and we supported them completely. We are planning to open 100 salons over the next two years.

YOU HAVE FOUR CONCEPTS UNDER THE MARIE CLAIRE BANNER. WHICH ONES ARE PERFORMING WELL IN INDIA AND WHY? WHICH ARE THE ONES THAT STILL NEED TIME TO DEVELOP AND WHY?

All our concepts are doing extremely well. We are glad that the market has been open to us and trusted us. We needed to work on our academy though. Due to Covid, we couldn’t do much on that front but now we are set to launch the academy, too.

HOW DOES OWNING A MARIE CLAIRE FRANCHISEE HELP GROW BUSINESS FOR A BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL?

Every beauty professional seeks out a brand such as Marie Claire as the brand denotes quality, high standards and professionalism. Moreover sustainability and goodwill of the brand are top notch priorities for Marie Claire franchisees.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO HAIRDRESSERS OR BEAUTICIANS WHO ARE LOOKING AT OPENING THEIR OWN SALONS?

Always keep in mind that every venture goes through a lot of hardships. There is always a shift in the business graph so unless and until you are sure about the sustainability of your business, you should think it over. Do your homework thoroughly before going to the floor.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT FACTORS ABOUT BEING A WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY IN INDIA TODAY?

Women entrepreneurs are getting a lot of acceptance in India, especially in the beauty industry. The difference between male and female entrepreneurs is reducing slowly but there is still a long way to go. Major factors about being a woman entrepreneur is to accept the challenge, to keep upgrading, follow the instinct, to study the market, keep learning and understanding whether it is the beauty industry or any other industry that is your true calling.