Founder & CEO Simran Sainani shares insights on identifying growth opportunities, overcoming challenges, and staying true to Curl Care’s mission of empowering ‘curlies’ everywhere.
1. From launching Curl Care to establishing salons in multiple cities, how did you identify and prioritize growth opportunities in the curly hair care market?
Ans. My inspiration for Curl Care stems from my personal journey of embracing natural curls after years of harsh chemical treatments. I noticed that while around 60% of India’s population has curly or wavy hair, there was a significant gap in proper care solutions tailored to these textures. This realization, combined with my own challenges, shaped our vision. We started by addressing this need through products specifically designed for curly hair, and as we grew, the demand for professional care led to the idea of opening dedicated curl salons. The priority has always been understanding and addressing the unique needs of our community, which has guided every step of our expansion.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while expanding from a product line to physical salons in cities like Thane, Delhi, and Hyderabad, and how did you overcome them?
Ans. Transitioning from products to physical salons presented logistical and operational challenges, particularly in training stylists to specialize in textured hair. Curly hair care requires expertise and attention to detail, and there weren’t many resources for stylists in India to learn this craft. We invested heavily in training programs to equip our stylists with the necessary skills and knowledge. Another challenge was creating spaces that resonate with our mission of celebrating curls. We overcame this by designing our salons to be more than service centers—they are educational hubs where clients learn how to care for their curls confidently. Listening to our customers and building a strong support system have been key to navigating these hurdles.
3. With a mission to serve and help ‘curlies’ everywhere, how do you ensure that Curl Care stays true to its core values while scaling up?
Ans. Staying true to our core values means putting our community at the center of everything we do. Whether it’s through personalized consultations, curl-specific training for our stylists, or ensuring our products are formulated with natural, gentle ingredients, we focus on creating meaningful experiences for our customers. We also engage directly with our audience via social platforms, gathering feedback and adapting based on their needs. By maintaining a customer-first approach, we ensure that every new venture—whether it’s a product launch or opening a salon—aligns with our mission of empowering people to embrace their natural curls.
4. Your products are the result of years of R&D. How do you balance innovation with the operational demands of running multiple salons and managing a growing team?
Ans. Balancing innovation with operations requires a clear focus on priorities and a collaborative approach. Our R&D team is constantly working to improve our product formulations based on customer feedback and emerging needs in the curly hair care space. Simultaneously, we have built a strong operational framework for our salons, emphasizing delegation and training. Empowering our team has been crucial—they handle day-to-day challenges while I focus on strategic growth and innovation. By maintaining clear communication and a shared vision, we’ve been able to manage these aspects effectively.
5. As a young entrepreneur who started Curl Care at 21, what lessons have you learned about leadership and team building that have been crucial for Curl Care’s expansion and success?
Ans. Starting Curl Care at a young age taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the value of a strong team. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about empowering your team to grow with you. I’ve learned to invest in my team’s development, particularly in training stylists to specialize in curly hair care. Open communication and fostering a sense of shared purpose have been instrumental in building a motivated team. Ultimately, success comes from creating a culture where everyone feels aligned with the mission and takes pride in the impact we’re making.
