Spotting the right colours: Nina Bual of SPA.ce sees potential in nail art market

Because skin absorbs nutrition, care and innovation.

Our body, our soul shelter. Or anyway a big part of ourselves that we should take good care of, given that we live through it. “Our skin absorbs over 60% of what we put on it” says Nina Bual, founder of SPA.ce. “Questioning what we are apply to our skin, is fundamental for our health and well-being.” She adds.

“ With SPA.ce, we have been a part of the spa landscape in Bangalore for the past eight years, now have four outlets, and have recently become India’s first organic spa. The spa industry has developed extensively since our launch and customers now are confident and well versed in knowing what spa service they are looking for.With a sprinkle of new inputs to keep tradition alive

Recently, Nina has launched Chamki, India’s first solo nail polish and nail art brand.

“I realised there was a niche which was exploding across the world in terms of nail art, which had till now been relatively untouched in India. Which for me seemed rather odd, as our culture of hand decoration dates back more than 2000 years.

While I was surveying the market before opening a nail bar, I realised that this was a nascent and promising sector. Demand for nail products and care has increased much recently, but colours have being exported from abroad according to mainstream commercial tastes. This clearly shows a gap in the understanding of Indian culture where the multiplicity of festivals as well as the various trends developing in each state can be clearly connected to specific colours.

So, here I came! We developed a range which fell in to four spectra: Badtameez, Teaz Churi, Dulhaniya and Masti. This enabled us to customise our nail art according to different festivals and occasions. The response to the launch was just incredible, we scored a great success in the retail market and we signed deals with Reliance and Shopper Stops, and Myntra.”The right responses to challenges

SPA.ce and Chamki are not paths without obstacles. But these can turn into strength points if they are properly addressed.

“Very few customers are knowledgeable about what product they are using and why. Unlike international spas, where the right product is a major part of the spa experience and sell, here spas have yet to be held accountable in terms of what product they are using and its real benefits.

We are not only service-focused. Of course, after four years in the business our training and systems ensure that each customer is guaranteed a professional massage. We have a low staff turn-around, so our therapists stay with us for many years and our service levels are extremely high. However, we believe it is time to point out the importance of the products too. We want to be transparent and start educating customers to make their choice responsibly. This implies researching for top quality ingredients as well as making ethical choice in the selection of suppliers. After long and meticulous investigations, we picked some farms which provide us with fresh and 100% organic ingredients. In turn, we offer them income growth opportunities.

Scaling up the business!

We are now present online with Myntra and Snap Deal.and offline with Shoppers Stop and Reliance Trend. It can be overwhelming when I look at our budgets against our competitors but I truly believe in the brand and Indian market supporting an all-India brand created for them and their celebrations.”

“Chamki’s advantage is we are young and agile, so we can move swiftly and move with the customers’ requirements. It merely takes a great Bollywood film poster to send one colour flying out the door, or a request for a specific shade which is not on the shelf yet. We are also an extremely emotive brand, our colour names ( ‘Nazsar’ for black, ‘Kaveri’, ‘Bilji’, ‘Panna’) and product design resonates with our customer. I have yet to encounter a persone who has not smiled after hearing the word Chamki!”

From the UK with love…and energy!

I’m a British born Punjabi. My family immigrated to the UK very early on, so by the time my four sisters and me were born, our families were fully immersed into the British working culture. My sisters and I started working at the age of 15. I worked in a variety of sectors including Boots the Chemist, and McDonalds and, after University, I pursued a career in advertising sales in London. It was immensely enjoyable and sales gave me a solid foundation for embarking on entrepreneurship. I learnt much about tenacity: one day you feel you are on the top of the world for breaking a great deal, and the next day you humbly beg for a sale.

After eight years, I had the guts to pursue my dream and come explore India, which was my lif- long ambition. When I booked my ticket to India I had no intentions of staying here and definitely no plans of starting a business. But India is intoxicating and full of very dynamic energy. I met so many young people embarking on start ups; I think it can be quiet contagious.”

I started my business after being in India for 10 months, therefore I had no preconceptions of what it would be like to do business here. The beauty of the lack of preconceptions is that I had no limiting beliefs, I simply didn’t know what I should be worried about so I didn’t worry! I launched head-on into launching SPA.ce and we have enjoyed eight great years in Bangalore. The whole journey was a roller-coaster of emotions, slowly building a brick and motor brand and seeing it being appreciated and growing in integrity.

With SPA.ce we are now the oldest independent spa in Bangalore. We have gone through the rough years steadily and have maintained a sterling reputation. Our growth has been steady and assured. This has allowed me time pursue my passion of business coaching, public speaking and working with other small time business owners to set up from abroad.

Regarding Chamki, there are very few home-grown brands competing with big names such as L’Oreal and Revlon. Chamki has taken me back to start up mode, and the excitement of the hunt and opportunity is a daily thrill. It has also been a super steep learning curve and it has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone. One of the highlights has been successfully negotiating a pan-India deal with Reliance within a month of the launch. It is a milestone I am extremely proud of.

Being in the right place!

I always keep my positive energy high and I always try to keep learning from any possible source. I put much effort to stay inspired, and I make sure I invest in my continued growth by attending seminars, speaking and connecting to key thinkers. Moreover, I have created a tight group of mentors that I consult from time to time to keep me on the path.

This country is fundamental for my personal and professional growth. India and its potential is my major inspiration, everyday there’s a new brilliant idea that launches. The landscape is ever evolving with peoples dreams and ambitions.”