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Biography
Veena Kumaravel (born August 08, 1966) is an Indian entrepreneur and founder of Naturals group of salons based in Chennai. Naturals is a prominent beauty salon chain in India with over 550 outlets. She married C.K. Kumaravel in 1991 who later joined her in business. Veena established Naturals in 2000 and has expanded its presence to various locations in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. She is the first women in South India pioneering in the Unisex salon business.
Early life and education
Veena is a commerce graduate from Ethiraj College, Chennai. She used to work with her father before marriage. She got married to C K Kumaravel in 1991, and have two children (one daughter and a son). She aspired to start a business so that she could keep herself engaged.
About Naturals
The first Naturals salon was opened in Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai in 2000 with an investment of Rs. 30 lakh. Naturals adopted the franchise model business after setting up their 54th salon. Besides the unisex salons, the brand has Naturals lounge (premium salon), Naturals W (women salon), Page 3 (luxury salons). The vision of the company is to promote women entrepreneurs. Majority of the Naturals franchisee owners are women. The company has been successful in empowering about 600 women and provided jobs for about 15000. Naturals has training centers in Chennai and Madurai. The training academy provides hands on training at the beauty salons and ensures 100% placement at Naturals. There are currently 570 Naturals salons in India. The couple is aiming to raise the number to 3000 salons, 1000 women entrepreneurs and 50,000 jobs by 2020. Naturals is also planning to open salons in Sri Lanka and Dubai in 2017.
Awards and recognition
- India’s Favorite Salon by NDTV - Hindu Lifestyle Awards 2011
- Best National Salon Chain of the year - Salon International 2011
- Best Salon Chain - Schwarzkopf professional Estetica Hair couture awards 2011
- Salon Chain of the year 2012 - Indian Salon Congress
- Women Entrepreneur of the year 2012 - Entrepreneur India, Veena
- Most admired retailer health & wellness 2012 - India Retail Forum
- India’s Favorite Salon 2012 - NDTV-Hindu
- Best Franchiser in the beauty and wellness 2012 - Franchise India
- Most Admired Salon 2012 - Estetica Magazine
- The best Salon chain in India 2012 - Salon International
- Women Entrepreneur of the year 2012 - Franchise India, Veena
- Most Admired retailer of the year 2012, Health & Beauty services - Images Retails, Veena
- Best Franchisee of the year 2012 - Franchise India
- Best Salon chain award of the year 2012 - Franchise India
- Best Salon Marketer of the year 2012 - Franchise India
- Best Franchiser of the year 2012 - Franchise India
- Best Salon Award 2013 - Franchise India
- Best in category Beauty Aids & Salons 2013 - Franchise India
- Most Admired retailer of the year 2013, Health & Beauty services - Images Retails
- Best Southern region emerging Entrepreneur Award 2013 - CII
- India’s most admired retailer, Sep 2014 - Indian Retail Forum, Mumbai
- Best Women Entrepreneur, Sep 2014 - CII, Aarthi Pondicherry
- Retail Entrepreneur of the year, Oct 2014 - Franchise India, Delhi
- Best Salon of the year, Aug 2014 - I Diva Salon Awards, Research Poll
- Annual Women Achievers Award 2014 - Raindrops, Veena
- Gateway to Beauty (South) 2014 - We Awards, Veena
- Women Achievers 2014 - Rotary International, Veena
- Inspiring change in Women Entrepreneurship 2014 - Pink Power Award, Veena
- Best Entrepreneur Award 2014 - Saveetha Engineering College, Veena
- Brands Achiever National Business & Service Leaders Awards 2015 - Brands Achievers, Delhi