It was a perfect weekend for Hemalatha Annamalai, the founder and CEO of Ampere Vehicles. “ Because I could have my beauty treatment right at home while I spent time with my family.” She is referring to the home services offered by the beauticians from Naturals salon which recently launched the concept of beauty services at home for those women who are hard pressed for time to visit the salon.
“Time is the most important factor, especially for working women. So, we offer to go to their homes at a time they prefer,” says Veena Kumaravel, founder of Naturals chain of beauty salons. The initiative employs women beauticians and empowers them to earn more. Says Veena, “They easily make Rs. 30 to 40,000 a month.” Veena points out that they hand pick a team of trust worthy beauticians and train them to work in the homes of their clients. Not just the beauty services, this team is also trained to tidy up before they leave their clients’ premises. No one wants their private space invaded and made a mess of. They use only electricity and water at the customer’s place. Everything else they carry with them,” she says. These beauticians move around the city on electric scooters provided to them by Ampere Vehicles that has also trained them how to use the two-wheelers. “Mobility saves time,” says Veena.
Says Hemalatha, “The electric scooters run on battery. They have to be charged for about eight hours after which they can be run for a distance of 60 kms. This is a new initiative in the business model that supports a social cause. This kind of mobility empowers women to earn more.”Fifteen of the 30 Naturals Salons offer this at home service.
“The hospitality industry suits women and we have about 300 franchisees in our network More than 60 per cent of our workforce are women,” says Veena. There is a lot of emphasis on the safety of these beauticians as well. It is a priority says Veena. “Calls from clients are verified and we always send a team of two. They have a helpline number to alert us in case of any danger,” she says.
Lactating mothers, pregnant and working women who find it difficult to get to the salon make up their customer base.
“A smaller section of older women who cannot travel also use the services.” explains Veena. Chennai already offers this service and has over 70 electric scooters that ply around the city to attend to customers.
In Coimbatore there are about 10 scooters in use now. “We see a huge potential for growth in at home services. Earlier, people opted for beauty services only on special occasions. But now women want to look good every day,” says Veena.
Call 8110081100 to book an appointment. Book four hours in advance. The minimum service starts at Rs.30 and goes up to Rs. 3,500.
