AsiaSpa

asiaSpa India March-April 2016 141

What is the definition of wellness
at IOSIS?
We strongly believe that people who are
fighting with personal issues will never
be able to achieve their wellness goals.
Understanding what is happening
inside a person’s body is very important
before working on external issues.
Whenever someone comes to us, we
make sure they relax before we move
on to problems such as weight and skin
issues, among others.

How and when was IOSIS
conceptualised?
I was going through a broken marriage,
but didn’t want give up on life. I always
fancied starting my own salon. But
coming from a hotel background – my
family owns a hotel chain – I had very
little understanding of how the industry
works. So, I decided to train myself
to learn the nuances – I am a trained
therapist and cosmetologist. And in
2008, I founded IOSIS.

When and how did Shilpa become
a part of IOSIS?
Shilpa and I have been great friends for
over two decades. Whenever she would
come to me for her blow dry and other
services, she would always give her
inputs on how I could improve things
an IOSIS. And one fine day, Shilpa, Raj
(Shilpa’s husband) and I were having
dinner when Raj suggested that we
should team up. And in late 2009, a new
chapter for IOSIS began. Shilpa has
been a great partner, she is the face of
the company, we think alike, and have
similar goals.

Shilpa is the face and you are
head of operations for IOSIS.
How does it work?
Shilpa is an intrinsic part of where
IOSIS is today. We have a common
vision and consult each other every step
of the way. We meet almost every day
since we do yoga together. We also have
our head office meets every quarter,

during which we discuss plans. It is

extremely important to have a partner

who thinks like you, and for me, Shilpa

is that person.

You have been in the wellness

industry for a long time. How has

the journey been so far?

The journey has been very interesting,

but with lots of ups and down. We have

had rough patches and great success

stories too. I have a lovely team and a

great partner who has been there every

step of the way.

Is there anything you would like

to see change in the wellness

industry in India?

I would love to see the industry come

together as one component. As of now

there is no central body that keeps a

tab on the services provided at wellness

centres. It is sad to see a spa next door

get raided because they are resorting to

short-cuts to earn money. Wellness is a

serious business, a way of life; so there

need to be rules and accreditations for

everyone. I want to see the industry

grow, but with some standardisation.

What are the new trends in the

spa industry?

There has been a rise in the number

of teenagers coming to our salons and

spas. People really like to dress up these

days and not just for special functions –

women come in for daily makeup and

even before interviews. Another really

big thing right now is nails; almost

everyone is opting for nail extensions

and nail art nowadays.

What are your plans for

the future?

Shilpa and I are collectively working

towards taking IOSIS to the next

level. In the next few years, we are

looking at increasing the number of

centres – there are 18 IOSIS centres

as of now, and work is in progress for

12 more. We are also foraying into

education so that there are enough

talented hands to work at the centres.

I believe that there are highly talented

people, but we need to push them in

the right direction. In the long run,

we also want to open yoga centres

around the world, and products are in

the pipeline too.