Beauty with a purpose

AMBITION coupled with a keen interest in transforming the ordinary person into someone extraordinary looking, are some of the ingredients to set you on the road to setting up a successful beauty venture. Though the concept of beauty has remained the same over the ages, the need to look beautiful has never been felt more keenly as of now. Grooming for success has almost become second nature and looking good is akin to feeling good. The beauty business is therefore a lucrative option to pursue, if resources permit one to do so. It is an impetus for aspiring beauticians to attempt turning their dreams into reality.

There is no longer a gender distinction to avail beauty treatments. There are salons that cater to the grooming needs of men as well. With beauty salons mushrooming everywhere, competition is but synonymous with trying to establish a successful business. What sets apart a thriving venture, apart from lady luck, is a customer friendly establishment.

To pursue a successful career in the beauty business, you need to-

* Be passionate about the art

* Perfect your area of specialisation

* Possess immense patience

* Be sensitive to those you are going to treat

* Have the ability to serve with a smile despite encountering difficult clients

* Offer the best possible facilities

* Come across as a pleasant and welcoming person

* Offer services at a reasonable price

* Be enterprising

* Be a stickler for safe treatment and avoid unwise experimentation on yourclientele

Humble beginnings have always paved the path towards greater successes; a fact that most flourishing ventures stand witness to. After equipping your-self with a certificate from a recognised institute and a license to practice, the next step would be to arrange for financial resources. This can involve either your own investment or seeking a government loan. The initial investment may range from a lakh of rupees and more depending on the infrastructure and rental charges. If acquiring the right space is a problem, you can begin by working from home initially. It is also a preferable alternative for those who are financially constrained.

Purchasing the necessary infrastructure and facilities like chairs, combs, mirrors, adequate lighting, cosmetics, steamers, electronic massagers and the like, and recruiting able help is the next consideration. Beauticians desirous of apprenticeship can make for the appropriate help at the salon. Investing in unskilled labour to help maintain excellent standards of hygiene and cleanliness is also essential. It is important to find a supplier willing to supply cosmetics at a reasonable price if you have not done a course in cosmetology to prepare your own cosmetics.

A successful strategy

A fledgling practice, if nurtured carefully can blossom into a highly rewarding and profitable enterprise. From the dicor of the establishment to the service provided, a beauty salon has to spell success. Qualitative service is the distinguishing quality of a thriving business. This can prove to be the best platform to ensure an informal mode of advertising. You can also invest in cost effective methods of advertising and publicity like distributing flyers through newspapers and at venues such as colleges and offices.

From Eve to Priyanka Chopra, the preoccupation with beauty or looking beautiful has never waned. Beauticians are almost like magicians who possess the ability to bring out the best in every one physically. Wielding these magical skills with due care and careful personal attention is the best winning approach to step on the gear to success.

SAMYUKTA KODA,

samyukta.hyd@careercommunity.co.in