The beauty and wellness sector in India is not only about enhancing appearances, it’s a thriving industry contributing significantly to employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development. With a projected market size of ₹5 lakh crore by 2030 and a workforce comprising nearly 70% women, the sector presents immense opportunities for growth. As industry-led training gains importance, models like the Naturals Beauty Academy are setting benchmarks in employability and entrepreneurship.
In light of this, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder-Director of National Skills Network (NSN), Mr. C.K. Kumaravel, Co-founder and CEO of Naturals Salon and Spa, discusses the evolving landscape of the beauty and wellness industry in India. He highlights how Naturals Beauty Academy is enabling industry-driven training to skill and upskill aspiring professionals. The discussion explores the growing demand for trained talent, the role of franchise-based entrepreneurship, particularly for women and how structured, hands-on learning is shaping sustainable careers in one of India’s fastest-growing service sectors.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.
Q. What are your views on the rapid growth of the beauty and wellness industry and its potential for skilling and employment?
A. India, with its 1.4 billion people, is the most aspirational and digitally advanced country, offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Naturals started in the year 2000, and today we have over 825 salons across India. We’ve expanded into various verticals: Page 3 Salons, Naturals Beauty Academy, Nails and Beyond, Bespoke (for men), Bridal Artisans, and Zenderma (a skin clinic). What was once a single-brand company has now evolved into a 10-brand ecosystem. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed us to diversify and explore adjacent opportunities. We realized we cannot just be super-focused; we also have to be aware of emerging spaces in the same domain.
One of the biggest opportunities we identified was training. Naturals hasn’t invented anything new; we have simply organized an unorganized industry. Haircuts, facials, manicures all these services existed. But now, people talk about the salon industry in two phases: before Naturals and after Naturals. We professionalized the space and brought structure and dignity to it.
In fact, I consider us a byproduct of the larger IT and education revolution. This contributions created a generation of financially independent, educated women who wanted to look and feel good and that’s where we came in. Our parent company is called Groom India for a reason: When people look good, they feel good; when they feel good, they perform better.
Naturals has brought in changing perceptions, creating dignified jobs, and empowering thousands, especially first-time women entrepreneurs. Our franchise model is built around enabling them, and 99% of our partners are women. We also call our staff smile providers, because their job is to make customers feel confident and happy.
Q. How do you see the participation of rural and semi-urban women in the beauty and wellness sector?
A. India’s real potential lies beyond the metros. Today, aspirations in rural and semi-urban areas match those in big cities, people want quality services and are willing to pay for them. At Naturals, we have expanded deeply across Bharat, reaching tier 2, 3, 4, and even tier 5 towns. The demand is strong everywhere; it’s just about taking the services to them.
Q. Does Naturals Beauty Academy offer pathways for students to progress from entry-level training to higher education or advanced programs like cosmetology?
A. Yes, this industry offers immense opportunities for women as both customers and service providers. While men do play a role, a 70:30 women-to-men ratio is ideal in my view. Women are naturally aligned with the nature of this industry, and they should take full advantage of it. We also see strong participation from youth in the Northeast. They bring great strengths like fashion awareness, strong communication, and adaptability. They learn skills quickly and are career-oriented. I firmly believe that financial independence for women is crucial. It ensures respect, self-worth, and the ability to make choices. That’s also why most of our franchisees, around 80–90% are women. Their presence brings strength and stability to our business.
Also read: India’s Beauty Industry: Thriving on demand, innovation, and skill development
Q. How do you see the role of technology, especially artificial intelligence in the future of the beauty and wellness industry?
A. This is not a high-tech business; it’s a high-touch business. While AI and digital tools can support service delivery and customer experience, they cannot replace the human touch essential in this industry. A robot can’t cut hair or apply makeup meaningfully. The real opportunity lies in combining human intelligence (HI) with artificial intelligence (AI). Those who understand both will have a competitive edge. The sector will continue to generate employment be it full-time, part-time, and gig,regardless of automation. Technology should serve us, not replace us.
Q. What advice would you give to those interested in starting a franchise or setting up a training center in the beauty and wellness sector?
A. My advice is simple: focus on skill education. Don’t just give someone a livelihood, teach them how to earn one for life. Whether you are starting a training center or taking a franchise, invest in quality skill training. Train hard initially to build a strong foundation, that’s our motto: “Work hard, train hard, life becomes easy.” This sector offers immense potential, and people are now willing to pay for learning. Let’s organize it better, empower people, and build a sustainable future through skill-based entrepreneurship.
