International Women’s Day’24: In Conversation With Peluqueria Salon Founder, Sonam Jolly!
1. What does beauty mean to you?
BEAUTY, it’s such a difficult word to define. For me, loving yourself for who you are and being confident in the person you are is beauty. It’s like a summation of every flaw, every trait, every gesture that provides a window to your inner being.
2. What has been your biggest accomplishment at work till date?
I think it’s quite pompous to talk about your accomplishments but yeah, as I handle two roles professionally. So as a business owner we are the first ones to bring brands like PH and Keune to the city. Clients truly admire the hair treatments and skin services and find the place warm and cosy. They look forward to coming back to us, so it feels like an achievement. As a teacher, it’s an achievement when the children feel joyous and comfortable with you and moms telling me that they just love you and even want to come to you on weekends, it surely feels like a victory.
3. The beauty industry has the age old reputation of being women centric. Do you think women naturally have a knack for it?
Yeah, I do agree that females are more creative and empathetic beings and even though there is an equal place for everyone, women have that discerning eye and that potential to make everything more attractive and beautiful.
4. Have you ever been taken lightly by anyone in your inner or outer circle for being a woman in business?
I would say ‘YES’. I don’t know why taking orders from a woman sometimes is difficult but I also feel that if you have the potential and you mean business and you have an idea as to what you want, everyone around you starts taking you seriously and then they have no issues in giving you your due credit. At least I have been lucky that way.
5. What is your take on embracing one’s natural beauty as a woman VS getting hair, makeup and skin treatments done?
I think being confident in your skin and showing acceptance as to who you are is incredible but like you hone your skills and work hard on your interests to extract the best out of you. Similarly to make yourself look physically attractive, to take care of your body, skin and hair is also an essential part of your being. It definitely boosts your confidence. When you know you are looking presentable and are well groomed it definitely adds to your personality and charm.
6. Are there any advantages of being in the salon business as a woman?
I guess as women we are blessed to be more empathetic and considerate and we love to give our 200% in whatever we do and that definitely works in our favour. I think that trust factor where the client can come and rely on you and knows that you would suggest to them what is best for them is there. I think that connect with the client helps me in my business for sure but other than that I don’t think of any extra advantages.
7. Tracing back your journey, what is that one piece of advice you would like to give to your younger self?
Stop obsessing over timelines and we can begin whenever we wish too. It’s never too late to embark on a new journey as there is more than one way to do something. There might be someone who has done something at the age of 25 but that doesn't mean that it cannot be done at the age of 40. So just be kind to yourself.
