Success Story Behind VLCC’s Founder Vandana Luthra

Vandana Luthra is one of the biggest and celebrated Indian entrepreneurs. She is the founder of VLCC Health Care Ltd and also the chairperson of the Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill and Council (B&WSSC). She was first appointed as the chairperson of this sector in 2014. This is an undertaking of the government of India that provides skills training for the beauty Industry.

Luthra was ranked #26 in Forbes Asia list 2016 of 50 Power Businesswomen. VLCC is one of the best beauty and wellness service industries in the country. It has its operations up and running in 326 locations across 153 cities in 13 countries in South Asia, South East Asia, the GCC region and East Africa. The industry has 4000 employees including medical professionals, nutrition counsellors, physiotherapists, cosmetologists and beauty professionals.

Luthra once said that her journey has taught her a number of lessons that have been life-altering in many ways. One of the major things she learnt is to have strong core values for the organisation and stand by it at all times. It takes years of hard work, dedication and commitment in order to build a brand. It is important to keep going and not looking back..

Vandana Luthra Early Life

Vandana Luthra had a desire to impact people’s lives right from her childhood. She would tag along with her father on his work trips to Germany. She noticed that the health and wellness industry was doing well back then in Germany and was still an almost untouched subject in India.

This led her to complete a degree from the Polytechnic for Women in New Delhi. She had the vision to start an outlet for health and wellness in India. She completed her studies in nutrition and cosmetology in Germany and set up the first VLCC Centre in Safdarjung Enclave in New Delhi in 1989.

Vandana Luthra Journey to Establishing VLCC

Her determination and hard work have been her strength ever since she started VLCC. She once said that when she started her business back in the 1980s, there were hardly any women entrepreneurs. The environment was highly sceptical of women entrepreneurs and she has also faced criticism. However, she believed that her concept was unique and was being introduced in India for the first time.

Luthra also gives much credit to her husband who supported her. He offered to support her financially, however, she was determined to make the dream come true on her own efforts. That led her to book her the place for her first outlet after she availed a Bank loan. Within a month of the establishment of her first outlet, she was attracting a number of customers and celebrities living in the vicinity. The customers were extremely satisfied with the service he was Offering. She started getting a return on her investment too.

She once said that she approached her work scientifically and started working with doctors from the first day of her work. She wanted her brand to be clinical and not about glamour. However, convincing doctors to work with her on health and wellness was tiring at first. She faced backlash when it came to convincing nutritionists and cosmetologists. It took her a long time until finally, a few agreed. The results eventually helped her gather many health experts.

Today her dream and vision have impacted people across the globe. According to a report, 40% of her top clients are from international centres. She continues travelling across the world to understand their needs regarding wellness. According to a report, VLCC’s estimated annual revenue is $91.1 million.

She gives credit to internal funding by investment partners who are the major causes of the growth of her company.

Vandana Luthra’s take on Women in Business

She says that women are great business leaders. She believes women have exceptional business abilities and can be anything they wish to be. Women are great in everything be it sports, socialsocials service, business or even entertainment. She says that the Indian government is very keen on supporting women to grow and become entrepreneurs.

The National Skills Development Corporation and the Ministry of Labour are working consistently toward improving the fitness and beauty sector. VLCC is also a major part of the government’s Jan-Dhan Yojana.

Conclusion

Vandana Luthra is determineddetermination and courageouscourage personified. It’s true that the journey to success is hard, but if self-determination remains, anything is possible.