Blu Ocean Studios: Redefining Beauty and Wellness Industry
Millions of people follow an unhealthy lifestyle. Majority factors to individual health and fitness are correlated to lifestyle. The habit of following an irregular and unbalanced diet, sedentary and chaotic lifestyle degrades health. All this gets reflected in several ways, it adversely affects our physical appearance and hastens the biological process of aging of skin, premature hair fall, obesity, etc.
To counter these issues we visit a Salon to roll back such adverse lifestyle issues and feel good and renewed for flawless beauty. But are we really satisfied with the services provided by the Professional service providers? Are we really sure that we got the right treatment or what is best suited for our skin, and of course, in original form as manufactured by the cosmetic company?
Do our service providers understand the difference between natural, organic and herbal products and trained to understand botanical names, extracts, vitamins, minerals, proteins. Next, how will they be able to identify which product suits best to what kind of skin?
Business Connect is in conversation with Mr. Apar Gupta, the founder of Blu Ocean Studios Pvt. Ltd. The company has been identified as an innovative startup by the MSME and recognized by Business Connect as “The top 50 innovative startups to be watched in 2020”.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME ‘BLU OCEAN STUDIOS’?
Blu Ocean Studios is a name inspired from a Business Management concept named “Blue Ocean Strategy”, based on an innovative and unique approach to counter existing market problems or to create an entirely new market that never existed before.
We shall redefine the business verticals in which we will operate. We shall provide unique solutions to persistentproblems so that existing competition becomes irrelevant to both, us and our customers.
YOUR COMPANY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN INNOVATIVE STARTUP BY THE MSME, MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES. WHAT IS IT THAT ‘BLU OCEAN STUDIOS’ DOES?
We have been identified as an Innovative Startup by MSME. Our initial innovative Business solutions are for Beauty, Wellness and Healthcare.
I was personally never convinced with the way Professional beauty industry operated. There have been several identified loopholes, gaps and as a result, high failure rate for beauty products as well as service providers and of course, large number of dis-satisfied customers.
After reviewing a great deal and introspecting at micro level, I compiled all solutions and drafted a unique model (Patent pending), branded as “Glameura”. It’s based on a unique model as compared to conventional Salon system that doesn’t exist anywhere across the globe. We have taken care of all flaws of salon industry through this business model. We are hopeful and confident that this would turn around the landscape of salon industry across India and hopefully we can spread it across the world too.
WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE FLAWS IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EXISTING FLAWS THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS?
A digital payment system to counter all cash based transactions. This shall also help in monitoring and tracking the growth of industry and plugging several loopholes.
A same beauty service is offered at different prices at different Salons. We have provided a system where a customer can compare the prices for same service offered by the different salons and book the service accordingly.
Haircare services such as Keratin treatment may contain formaldehyde (which is a known carcinogen that is dangerous to both, salon clients and salon workers). We shall be providing services/products that are completely safe and doesn’t affect the health of salon clients and workers in any adverse manner.
HOW IS THE INDIAN SALON INDUSTRY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN THE DEVELOPED NATIONS?
In developed nations, there is a standard operative procedure for beauty services. How a service has to be done? What is the total duration of the service? How a serum has to be applied, etc.
Surprisingly, most of the service providers and clients aren’t aware of any allergic or highly reactive cosmetic ingredients. They are too casual in their approach. On the contrary, in developed countries, they are aware and cautious towards allergic reactions and consider all important precautions.
When we enter a salon, looking at the attractive bottles, we become pretty sure that our skin related problems would resolve. We get excited having seen before-and-after photos for any beauty service, it’s simply more convincing. What we never figure out is that skincare is certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation.
WHAT MADE YOU BEGIN BLU OCEAN STUDIOS?
I attended few start-up seminars and used to question myself if I can solve the existing perennial problems such as in wellness and healthcare sector. Furthermore, I saw rising unemployment in our country.
After my post-graduation in Business Management, I worked for some years in the cosmetic industry and identified some major gaps. I used to question if I can overcome these flaws or if there is a way to counter such gaps. All this curiosity, ideas, experiences led me to start Blu Ocean Studios.
THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY IN INDIA IS JUST AN OCCASION-BASED INDUSTRY. DO YOU AGREE?
People don’t visit a Salon regularly. It’s only limited to occasions such as wedding. Very recently, from last 6-7 years it has been when our country has seen a change. People are becoming more conscious and caring about their looks and physical well-being. They have started to visit salon more frequently.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER PROJECTS?
We are constantly working on the “Science of never aging cells” what we call as “Beauty Kinetics” (Patent pending). We have already filed a patent for the same and we expect the product to be available in the market soon.
We are all aware about the weak and flawed, highly expensive healthcare system, henceforth, we have designed a system that counters rising healthcare costs and improves the overall healthcare ecosystem.
ANY FUTURE PROJECTS OR INTERESTS?
I admire well scripted and directed movies. I am an admirer of celebrities like Keanu Reeves and wish to make movies with such talents in the entertainment industry.
WHAT WERE YOUR OBSTACLES?
We faced lot of challenges initially. We started working on a minimal cost involvement plan, with a strong focus on product research and Intellectual property, selection of right team/vendors and business partners. The set of right decisions and hard work came up to our expectations.
WHAT’S YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS?
Focus, Commitment, Sheer Will and professionalism are important for any organization to grow. Startups should focus on Innovations and creativity. Turn them into examples and success stories for others to follow.
