Siddhesh Shinde To Conquer The World

Meet Siddhesh Shinde, Mumbai-based hairdresser and Owner of Elite Salon. He considers passion, service and creative consulting to be the three pillars of salon operation. Extremely talented and an inspiration to many, Shinde shares his journey and future plans with us

- Shivpriya Bajpai

How did you get started in the hair industry?

My love for the hair industry goes back to the days when I was in school. My insatiable desire to learn kept me hungry and being a part of it was inevitable. The journey still feels like it has just begun.

Please tell us about your professional background.

In 2005, I completed a hairdressing diploma from High Tech Institute in Mumbai. Over the next six years, I had the opportunity to work with experts, namely, Uday Takke, Rukmini Honawar and Vipul Chudasama. During this time, I also worked at Keune as a Technical Educator.

What were the challenges faced back then?

The industry demands an unshakeable amount of patience and hard work and practice. When I started, technology had just come in, but its reach was limited. I had to hence, rely on hair and fashion magazines to stay updated with the latest trends. So, while educating yourself is important, practice is the key to success. One incorrect snip and there is a permanent scar on your reputation.

How did you get inspired to launch your own salon?

I wanted to be independent. The closest and the best possible match was therefore, to have my own salon where I could ensure quality and value to clients. With this goal in mind, in 2016, I launched Elite Salon.

How do you drive operational excellence in your salon?