When Beauty Blossoms…

Steering the wheels for the routes that barely has a traveller or even a trespasser is not the work of a commoner who dwells and leads a life with accepted norms and stereotyping. This is, however, a regular routine of a leader, who identifies the possibilities through various dots and takes a breakthrough to join them all. And, she has done exactly the same, but with a twist though. During the time when people never believed in the beauty industry that it could actually become a potential market, she struck the axe and spearheaded it. She educated people so they open their minds to an assortment of amazing prospects. With the determination to scale up the business and quality of products as well as education, she steps in to the future with her creative geniuses. Presenting, one of the prominent women entrepreneurs of India of global repute, who has excelled in beauty, aroma therapy and style segment, Dr. Blossom Kochhar.

Dr. Blossom Kochhar is the pioneer of aromatherapy in India and is globally recognised for her work. She is a name to reckon with when it comes to beauty education and she heads the country’s premier hair, beauty, make-up and spa school chain called Blossom Kochhar College of Creative Arts & Design (BKCCAD). Dr. Kochhar introduced a structured and systematic approach to hair, beauty and spa education almost 30 years ago in order to bring the Indian beauty industry to the international standards. Dr. Kochhar’s and her team of educators have created winners in the industry. She is an icon to thousands of people in the beauty professionals in India. She wears any hats at a time, or at different instances further proving her versatility. Get to know more about her through this short rendezvous with Dr. Kochhar.

Tell us about yourself.

I was in Chennai though we moved to Nilgiris soon after and I grew up in coffee and tea estates. Infact, my name Blossom is inspired from the blossoming of coffee and tea plants. I have done my schooling from Nazarath Convent in Ooty and completed by graduation from St. Joseph’s Convent and Jyoti Niwas College in Bangalore. I have four siblings, three brothers and one sister.

I got married to Late Col. Virender Kochhar in 1974, and moved to Delhi with him. Along with him, I laid the foundation of Aroma magic in 1993, and currently, I am working with my daughter Samantha Kochhar to take the brand to even greater heights.

What lured you to this industry?

I was always very fascinated with the beauty and skin care but since there was no structure and professional training in this field I wanted to bring a systematic approach in this.And hence, I started my career as a beautician in a small room in the army base of Wellington, way back in 1976.

Where did you take your training from?

I took professional training in beauty in USA.

“Blossom Kochhar” is a big brand now. Tell us about a few hurdles that you faced in reaching this position.

Beauty was always considered as a hobby. It was never considered as a mainstream profession.Hence, it was not really easy to convince people to take it seriously and see it as a career option. I had to make them aware of it’s importance and tried my best to make it look as respectable profession as are other professions. I have travelled to the remote areas in India to make people aware about this profession and I still continue to do so.

With over 35 years of experience and a double doctorate in aromatherapy, she manufactures her own range of aromatherapy-based beauty products under the brand name ‘Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic’ with her husband Colonel Kochhar. It is the first aromatherapy product line of the country and stands as an unparalleled leader in this segment for 25 years now. With over 200 products including skin care, hair care, body care, singular essential oils and exclusive blends, Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic cosmetics include both the retail range and salon range. Her loyal customers include celebrities and Bollywood stars. Leading salons across the country use her salon range of aromatherapy treatments.

Tell us about the uniqueness of your brand.

All our products are aromatherapy based which means every product has some essential oil in it. We work with nature and do not subscribe to artificial ingredients such as parabens, alcohol, mineral oils, artificial colours, fragrances,etc. We do not believe in animal testing. Drawing on these two natural branches of science, Aromatherapy and tettra-therapy, we are attempting to bottle ‘Green Science’.

Dr. Kochhar has many awards and accolades to her name, including the Best “Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award”. The International Women's Day award, the Gates and Custodian Person of the Year Award as well as the Universal Humanity Award, The Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the Indian hair, beauty and spa industry as a pioneer of aromatherapy in India.

You have multiple introductions to your profile. Please throw some light on it.

I am an international teacher of aromatherapy, beauty and hair. I am also a member of Governing Council; Beauty and Wellness Sector Skills Council; and NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation). I am the Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies. My two successful brands are: Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic and Blossom Kochhar College of Creative Arts & Design (BKCCAD).BKCCAD, a world-class training institute, offers prestigious international certifications including Pivot Point, CIDESCO, ITEC, IHB, MUD (make-up designory) and more.

In case many of you don’t know, Dr. Kochhar has been working relentlessly to bring up the standards of the hair and beauty industry in India Dr. Kochhar has brought in international bodies like Organisation Mondiale Coiffure (OMC) - Paris, Inter Coiffure Mondial- Paris ( ICD) and to India and she heads them as its president. She is also the president of National Hair Dressers Association (NHBA), a premier association set up by her.

Not just this, she is also a pioneer aroma therapist, a celebrity hair designer, a master beauty therapist, an author, a businesswoman, and philanthropist. Dr. Kochhar is also a keen golfer, yoga practitioner and a Kathak dancer. Wow!

She has mastered many alternate therapies including Reiki, Pranic healing, NLP, EFT, colour therapy, crystal therapy and kinesiology. Her vast exposure to these fields has helped her adapt a holistic approach to the use of aromatherapy for mind, body and soul. Her passion for aromatherapy has taken her to many international and countless national platforms and on every platform she has inspired people to adopt a natural and fragrant way of living.

Three things that working women should do to take care of their health and skin. And, which products of yours would you recommend them to use as a part of that solution?

Use CTOM essential kits as per your skin type and Vitamin E night cream.

How should women counter pollution and protect their beauty?

Rapid Fire:

- Your favourite holiday destination: Egypt

- What do you do in your leisure time? Photography, Belly Dancing and play Jumbie

- What’s your favourite food? – Anything that has chocolate

- Who is your favourite female and male model? – My all time favourites have been Sushmita Sen and Arjun Rampal

- Any movie you’re looking forward to? I am a huge Salman Khan fan so I always wait for his movies.

What is beauty according to you?

Beauty according to me is skin deep. And, it is the confidence& grace with which someone conducts themselves.

Any upcoming venture or products?

We have recently launched the first aromatherapy-based hair care range, which includes shampoos, serum, oil and conditioners.

We hope and wish team Blossom Kochhar to prosper in every heights of infinity, and make people smiling and beautiful.