From Family Tradition to Industry Innovation: My Journey in Hairdressing and Beyond

As I reflect on my journey, I realize that my path has been anything but conventional. Born into a family where hairdressing wasn’t just a profession but a way of life, I grew up surrounded by the hum of clippers, the scent of grooming products, and the sight of satisfied customers leaving my father's salon. This early exposure would shape my future in ways I couldn’t fully comprehend at the time.

A Heritage of Craftsmanship

My father, Yadeshwar Rao, was a skilled hairdresser who started his career at the prestigious Alexander Salon. In 1994, with entrepreneurial aspirations, he opened "Vikas Hairdressers," a men’s salon named after me. Our family’s livelihood revolved around that small business, and from the age of 12, I found myself deeply immersed in the world of hairdressing.

Watching my father meticulously cut, style, and interact with customers gave me a profound appreciation for the craft. It wasn’t just about cutting hair—it was about providing an experience, about retention through quality and consistency. My father had his own set of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) long before that term became a corporate buzzword. His customer loyalty was unmatched, and many of the hairdressers who trained under him went on to start their own successful businesses, with his full support.

A Diverging Path: Engineering Meets Hairdressing

Despite my early love for the salon, societal expectations had other plans for me. Like many middle-class families, my parents, especially my mother, wanted me to pursue a "respectable" career. Engineering was the chosen path, and I dutifully enrolled in an Electrical and Electronics Engineering course at Bhaskar Engineering College.

But my passion for hairdressing never waned. While excelling in my engineering studies, I also completed a formal diploma in hairdressing from Jawed Habib Academy, one of India’s most renowned institutions. I would spend my free time working in my father’s salon, cutting hair for friends, family, and loyal customers. It was during this period that I realized hairdressing wasn’t just a hobby—it was my calling.

Upon completing my engineering degree, my family hoped I would pursue a traditional career in the engineering field. I worked as a test engineer at the Center for Electronics Test Engineering for a year and even secured a master’s degree in Electrical Power Systems. But something was missing. The satisfaction I found in hairdressing simply couldn’t be replaced by a corporate desk job.

Transitioning to the Salon Industry Full-Time

It wasn’t an easy decision, but I eventually convinced my parents to let me pursue hairdressing full-time. For two years, I worked on the floor of my father’s salon, honing my craft, learning the nuances of customer service, and developing a deep understanding of the industry from the ground up.

But my ambitions went beyond just running a salon. I wanted to elevate the entire industry, starting with education. I pursued various certifications, including a course in Panchakarma Therapy, which introduced me to the ancient science of Ayurveda and holistic wellness. This knowledge expanded my understanding of how hairdressing could integrate with health and wellness practices—a concept I briefly experimented with through Ayurvedic head massages.

Joining the Corporate World

My breakthrough came when I joined Godrej Professional as a technical trainer. It was here that I learned the importance of education in the salon industry. As a technical trainer, I taught hairdressers how to use products effectively, create new styles, and enhance their customer service skills. I was also involved in training salons on how to increase retail sales of haircare products, bridging the gap between technical expertise and business acumen.

My experience at Godrej gave me a front-row seat to the challenges faced by salon professionals across India. Many hairdressers lacked formal education, proper SOPs, and exposure to global trends. I saw a clear need for systematic training and education that could uplift the industry and make hairdressing a respected profession, not just a fallback option for those without formal degrees.

The Impact of COVID-19 and a New Beginning

In 2021, I took a leap of faith and opened my own salon, "VickyBarber Unisex Salon." Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and like many other small businesses, we were forced to close after just a few months. Despite the setback, this experience reinforced my desire to disrupt the salon industry by introducing technology, education, and structured business models.

During the pandemic, I joined Urban Company as a Senior Technical Trainer, where I was responsible for training over 1,000 hairstylists across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This experience not only enhanced my leadership skills but also gave me a deeper understanding of the startup ecosystem and how technology could play a transformative role in the salon industry.

At Urban Company, I helped develop SOPs for at-home services and created an innovative quality control system using automated training videos. This approach ensured that professionals maintained high standards, even when working independently. It was a glimpse into the future of the salon industry—one where technology, standardization, and continuous education would drive growth.

A Vision for the Future: Organizing the Salon Industry

The Indian salon industry is at a critical juncture. It is largely unorganized, with many hairdressers lacking formal qualifications and access to quality education. This gap, I believe, is an opportunity for innovation and leadership.

In 2023, I founded Takshashila Hair and Beauty Academy in Bangalore. The academy is named after the ancient university of Takshashila, representing my vision of creating a modern-day institution for salon education. Our goal is to offer accreditation, quality education, and a structured curriculum based on international standards like City & Guilds, CIBTAC, and CIDESCO. We aim to be the benchmark for salon education in India, providing hairstylists with the tools they need to succeed, not just in India but globally.

The Road Ahead

As I continue my journey, now as a PhD scholar researching consumer behavior in the salon industry, my mission is clear: to organize the salon industry through quality education, innovative business models, and technological integration. The lessons I’ve learned—both from my successes and failures—have shaped me into the leader I am today. But this is just the beginning.

I invite you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re a salon professional, an investor, or someone passionate about the beauty industry, there’s a role for everyone in this transformation. Together, we can elevate the salon industry to new heights.