Page 45 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 7 | October - November 2024

hen I walked into the flagship location of Trendi Bangkok. I then got married and lived in Dubai and Singapore
Hair Bangkok, on the Ground floor of Insaf before I moved back here,” she explains. “Because I’ve been
Tower 2, it was easy to spot Varsha Kogar, the everywhere, it’s been easy to talk to clients from all nationalities
salon’s proprietor, who gave me a brilliant smile as competent staff and walks of life, and my multicultural background has definitely
efficiently added the finishing touches to her impeccably-styled hair. helped me in my approach to running a business with such a
“My team is absolutely amazing,” she shares with enthusiasm, and variety of clients.”
this glowing praise for her team, who clearly share her admiration,
is a common theme throughout our discussion. Varsha walks me through the humble beginnings of her business,
which came to life when a relative through marriage approached
Effortlessly elegant, Varsha immediately sets me at ease with her her and asked her to join in running her salon. “She set up the
warmth and approachability, and it’s easy to see why she’s thrived whole salon for me, because I knew nothing about it at the time,
in an industry that requires a personal touch, and why she’s had and I took on the business from there,” Varsha recalls. “I learned
such loyal clientele for over two decades. “I always remind my everything on the job, but fortunately, I had excellent staff who
team that we’re in the service industry,” she tells me. “It’s not just run the salon for me. While I keep on top of everything, they do
about the styles – for me, giving great service to all our customers the day-to-day running, and I oversee both salons and handle the
is very important.” financial side of the business.” After a few years, the initial salon’s

Having established the business 25 years ago and grown it from success encouraged her to open a branch in Sukhumvit Soi 24, and
the first Indian-owned salon in town to an industry stalwart, Varsha since then, they’ve become one of the names in bridal haircare and
explains how her international background allowed her to relate beauty in Bangkok, known for doing local and destination weddings
to their diverse clientele from around the world, including some alike. She spoke to Masala further about being an established
celebrity names and royalty. “I was born in the South of Thailand, entrepreneur, staying on top of an ever-evolving industry, and the
but educated in India before I went to an international school in importance of having a team that you trust.

Your salons are renowned in the Indian community, particularly to the salon, we had to build our reputation and gain our customers’
for bridal and wedding looks. What do you think sets your services trust, and convince them that we had the ability to handle all types of
apart when it comes to creating these signature styles? hair with efficiency and speed. However, we overcame any challenges
My staff are very skilful and talented, and they’re trained not only that arose by keeping our team tight-knit, and treating our customers
in bridal looks, but in any other hair service – from colouring, to with courtesy and respect.

highlights and haircuts, we make sure that everything is of the highest There are a lot of occasions in Indian weddings, and we have to craft
quality. We use the best products and ensure that our customer’s a different look for each occasion according to the bride’s preferences.
hair not only looks good, but that it’s healthy, with great texture. If Each bride is different, but my staff are so skilful; they can do anything,
at any point the customer is not satisfied with the state of their hair and they can seamlessly and quickly transition from one look to
after coming to the salon, we’ll make sure to follow up with hair another. They update themselves all the time on the latest fashion –
treatments to repair and restore their hair. Because of this, we’ve for example, nowadays, brides prefer natural looks. They don’t want
built a reputation among our customers; they know exactly what too much stiffness; they prefer leaving their hair loose.
services we provide, and our quality. It
makes a difference that everyone has As our reputation grew, so did the number
confidence in us. of weddings we were booked for, both
locally and overseas. We’re not only well
We make sure that the customers don’t known here, but also in Singapore, and
leave the shop unhappy. Even after just our staff are flown there often to do our
simple colouring and highlights, we clients’ hair. We also have a lot of local
always follow up with them and give clients who will fly our staff down for
them personalised aftercare service. destination weddings they’re going to, as
We’ve got clients from everywhere – well as a lot of clients from overseas.
Thailand, India, the US, and more. And
I think that’s a testament to the service For example, we first came to the attention
that my staff gives to every single one of Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema, the
of our customers. Queen of Bhutan, because of a friend’s
son’s reception. Someone from the queen’s
Weddings play a huge role in the family had come down for the wedding,
beauty industry. Can you share how and loved the hair of the host, and they
you’ve successfully made your mark in approached us to do Her Majesty’s hair.
the bridal haircare space in Thailand, She loved our services so much that since
and how you stay on top of the ever- then, there was no looking back. When
changing trends? she requires our services, Her Majesty

While we are the first Indian-owned flies our staff down for whatever event
salon in Bangkok, it still took a bit of she’s attending – and these have included
time to gain the trust of customers. huge celebrations, such as the wedding
While some of my staff already had loyal of the Prince of Brunei, and the Ambani
Indian customers who followed them wedding!

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