HYDERABAD: Members of the Indian cricket team had the names of their moms embossed on their jerseys at the finals of Ind-NZ ODI and the entire nation grinned ear to ear at the ‘Nayi Soch’. If a bit of melodrama is allowed, it’s the mom’s ashirwad (blessing) that made us win by 190 runs. As Indians are known for the sentiments, we can officially conclude that its mom’s magic that brought us the luck. This #NayiSoch has been a #PuraniSoch in the case of Vikram Mohan, founder of Bounce Spalon, a spa and salon chain in Hyderabad and other southern cities.
His mom’s mystic passion towards the grooming industry enchanted Vikram so much that he quit his marketing managerial post in KLM Airlines to venture into this business.
Latha Mohan, daughter of legendary singer MS Vishwanathan, is a woman with a vision, for she spoke empowerment in her actions in 1981, much before the word ‘female empowerment’ became a buzz word.
From driving her own car to launching a parlour, from taking care of her loyal customers to keeping her two toddlers engaged amidst her busy schedule, she had done it all and today, she is partners with her son and runs the empire called Bounce Spalon.
“I am married to a marine engineer. I had a lot of free time in my hand and I was extremely zealous about grooming and giving a makeover to women. I proposed this idea to my supporting husband and he gave me the go-ahead. We launched Kanya beauty parlour for women, a 120-sq feet store, in Chennai. We worked hard and opened five more branches across Chennai and then two more in Bengaluru too. My children grew up and took my business as inspiration and gave it a makeover. They brought in international styles and patterns and incorporated into the Indian customary fashions,” she beams.
No, her journey is not as easy as it sounds. She had her own share of struggles in proving herself to the society that questioned her choices.
At a time when parlours were considered shady and sleazy, Latha dared to open a salon and prove them wrong. “Back then, parlours were mostly run by the so-called Chinese beauticians and they reportedly indulged in a lot of hanky-panky. Thanks to my background, people at least tried to give it a shot. When they realised it was a beauty centre, the parlour became a good place to be seen. Despite all the competitions we have right now, including Bounce, we have our devoted customers, who have been walking in for generations together now.
It was a great challenge to get products, skilled beauticians and good training academies. I went to Shahnaz Husain to learn about the latest beauty techniques,” she adds.
With a husband at the ship and babies in hand, it was a difficult balance to strike for Latha “I had a supportive family yet I ensured I didn’t compromise on their education and other activities. Today, I am here being called Vikram and Prarthana’s mom and there can be no bigger joy,” she shares with moist eyes. Prarthana Mohan is now the Dean of film making at New York Film School.
Vikram’s focus shifted to the beauty business as he grew up amidst salons. Kanya is 36 years old and he is 38. He travelled across the country and abroad extensively to get hands-on with the profession before they step in. “I would have been a CEO of an airline company by 60.
Initially people questioned my sexual orientation when I stepped into the beauty business as it was primarly a female turf. I have enjoyed my mom’s passion for the beauty industry and I too wanted to pursue. I loved it more when I had a haircut at Dubai. Daizy, the stylist there, struck a conversation with me and we became good friends. In India, people sit with their magazines during the process.
It’s the conversations that brings in a personal touch and that shows up on the hair too. Why not some music, conversations and more and not robot cutting? It’s not brain surgery. It’s pampering. I wanted to bring that concept to India,” he reveals.
It was a risk for him to start a new venture all together despite having a big brand in the family itself. “I took it as a challenge. We have created our own brand today. It’s a hair dresser driven salon,” he smiles.
He roped in his sister, Prarthana too initially. She later moved to US to pursue film making. While Vikram is the Founder and CEO, his mom and dad are co-founders and directors. Apart from Bounce and Kanya, the inspirational family have extended the beauty and wellness commerce with their other ventures like Oryza Spa and salon, Bliss, Cut it out and of course a Bounce Style Academy to nurture the untapped talents.
All the celebrities both north and south, including cricketers are his customers. He was the one who came up with the Ghajini haircut and other cutting edge styles for lots of movies. “Kamal Hasan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Trisha, Rajni’s daughters, Shruthi Haasan and many more love his styles and cuts. All his friends contact me now to request him to cut their hair. He is now ready to do it at the Hyderabad salons too,” shares the proud mother.