Talk Of The Trade

Samir Srivastav spills the beans on the salon industry and his journey with the internationally-renowned, Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa (JCB).

- Tatiana Dias

Having worked in the Indian and international salon and beauty services, franchise operations, beauty training and education, retail sectors and FMCG sales and distribution for over two decades, Samir Srivastav, CEO, Jean Claude Biguine Salon & Spa, in India, discusses the inner workings of the wellness industry, and shares his journey with Jean Claude Biguine Salon & Spa.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR LIFE BEFORE JCB.

I’ve been in the beauty and wellness industry for eight years now. I was with Kaya Skin Clinic as the vice president, Middle East and North Africa. Prior to my return to India, I was the Asia Pacific Head for a B2B spa service and product range called Sundari, which was under Marico.

I decided to work for a leading brand which operated in the beauty and wellness space, and chose to lead their beauty education vertical. While working closely with the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) for the beauty sector, I helped set up and operate beauty schools across the country. I then moved to lead India’s premium and leading beauty brand in the salon and spa space, JCB.

WHAT ABOUT JCB FIRST ATTRACTED YOU?

My previous work experience in an international market gave me significant and rare insights on how to run a luxury brand in the sector. JCB was at an interesting inflection point, and the strategy implemented was an attempt to quickly adapt to the changing business environment.