"Franchising is a Lucrative Idea to Expand Your Business", says Blessing A Manikandan
Whether you fell in love with hairdressing while you were braiding a friend's hair in elementary school, or you felt inspired at your very first salon visit, chances are you remember the exact moment you realized your passion for the craft.
Recently crowned as “Male Professional of the Year 2017” by Salon & Wellness Congress, Mr. Blessing A Manikandan, CEO, Paulsons Group I Paulsons Beauty & Fashion Private Limited has been part of many success stories of many brands and businesses by consulting, franchising and assisting them to sell thousands of franchise and created successful entrepreneurs and employment.
Blessing joined Paulsons as CEO, the first corporate office employee in April 2014, with 2 employees and 10 stores (9 salons and 1 Haagen-Dazs) but in a span of 4 years, he took the number of stores to 175 with multiple brands through franchise route. Today the corporate office functions with 100 staff and 4500 direct and indirect employees. He heads and leads the Franchise Business Development & Operations with bunch of young, energetic, expert team.
Paulsons Group is the Master Franchisee of Tony & Guy, with over 200 salons across the country and 150 salons in southern region.
In a conversation at the 7th Salon & Wellness Congress 2018, Blessing shared his franchising plans for Tony & guy and what the Hair Salon industry awaits in the near future.
India is getting groomed by the salon industry with plenty of opportunities everywhere ranging from premium brands to affordable fashionable brands. “With the population size in India, we can imagine how many salons are therefore required to meet the requirements of the customers”, said the CEO, Paulsons groups.
Be Unique. Be Different
With techniques changing in the Salon Business, there are unique strategies coming up in the hair salon industry.
Blessing states in the interview,” Basic grooming always remains the same. Apart from that, he continued, it is quite evident that the experiment with colors is gaining importance and a wide range of audience is opting for it.”
Hair grooming has become a big business in India. Fans of Kohli, however, will unhesitatingly fork out the money to imitate his rocker Mohawk-styled eyebrow cut. It is these young Indians, inspired by stylish movie stars and cricketers who are behind the growth of the salon industry.
“With education playing a very important part, we have trained and experienced stylists all across the world. We need to gear up as a whole lot of new technologies and products are coming up in the business today”, added Blessing.
A Holistic Experience
Today, a lot of brands are approaching the holistic experience in their business.
The CEO was of the opinion that,” Today, the business is all about lifestyle. So, you look good and you feel good. With people investing in food and clothes, now the focus has shifted to how they look. People nowadays can accept wearing a basic tee and jeans but they will definitely mind about getting a basic haircut. People have started spending more on a haircut than buying apparels. In Tony & Guy, 70 of the business is contributed by men.”
More the Franchise. More the Business
“Today, every brand in the business is searching ways to expand. Franchising is indeed a lucrative idea for brand expansion”, said the CEO, Paulsons Group.
He further added,” Franchising is the only best solution because without diluting your stake, you can expand. Either you can open your own store or bring in investors. Without diluting your share, expansion is possible only through franchising. Almost 95% brands run through franchising and it is hands down the future of business.”
