Photo: Collected
No one would have thought that the beauty parlor business would ever turn into an industry. But as the days go by, the number of beauty conscious people is increasing with the current fashion and the tendency of people to join the beauty profession is increasing on the basis of that demand. Where earlier no one was bothered about grooming outside of the wedding ceremony, now it is quite the opposite.
In any situation, people are more conscious about their looks and appearance than ever before. As a result, employment in this sector has increased and the market for beauty solutions has also expanded. The scope, potential, challenges of the beauty industry are discussed with Mr. Asgar Miron, the founder of Look Institute.
Question: How did you come to the beauty profession from a corporate job?
Answer: Well the beauty parlor industry actually started long ago but it was not complete. People used to go to beauty parlors occasionally and see that the quality of the products used was not very good! But along with the change of time it has been found that people are much more aware. Of course, girls are going to beauty parlors, their tendency to go has increased, but nowadays boys are also going, so we saw the demand and the needs of people, and we thought that if we fully ensure the service with something new and good products, we can modernize this industry. Our works will be much more acceptable and people will like it and that’s exactly what happened! When we start beauty parlor and start this job beauty parlor or hair cut salon people accept it already the demand is increasing day by day!
Question: Having spent quite some time in this industry, how much potential do you still think this industry has?
Answer: What is happening now is that people are learning to work in beauty parlors in Bangladesh either to do business or to work. Besides, There is a large number of people who are going abroad as there is a huge demand for beauty professionals outside the country, its earning or income potential is exponentially high at abroad. This is a great career opportunity. That's why people are doing this thing when they go out of the country and this number is huge.
Question: Do you think this beauty sector has become an industry at all?
Answer: To be honest it is still a baby. We are still in the baby phase but the way we are progressing and its growth is very promising. Already we have started keeping up the pace with times and standard of global tenure.
Question: Where is the demand for recruitment in the beauty profession? At home or abroad?
Answer: The demand is everywhere, but in abroad it is much more due to shortage of human resources in foreign countries, the scenario is not the same in Bangladesh. And these jobs are not respectable in Bangladesh, people still look down on this job, but outside the country they consider it like an artist and. their salary facilities are of that quality.
An artist gets what is due. So if you talk about Europe, the average price for a haircut in Europe is not less than 40 dollars and if you get shaved with a haircut, it is seen that it starts from 65 dollars, even in Australia a haircut starts from 45 dollars only those who do freelancing work get it, which is impossible in Bangladesh. So since the earning opportunity is high that's why people go abroad instead of doing other jobs like hotel, restaurant or petrol pump or any other skilled job they choose it and lean towards it.
Question: What initiatives do you think can be taken to exploit the potential?
Answer: To do this, the first thing you have to do is to select which direction you will go. By “Which way to go” I mean that we still think the beauty industry is limited to just haircuts or just hairstyles but actually things are much wider. It's like an ocean there are many segments like if one wants to study just on make-up he should study minimum 3 to 4 years and the opportunities are there, if someone wants to learn body massage he or she should study a course in about 1 or 2 years, if someone wants to become a hair therapist or specialist separately then they need to be an expert in that special subject. Expert means to be proficient in anything. We think it is enough to learn everything little by little but actually the thing it’s not like that a hair expert is just a hair expert so they should not do make-up, and since there is a lot of detailing in make-up stuff then if they learn make-up, it is better to be an expert. If one wants to be an expert on such subjects, then it is more acceptable to proceed with that.
Question: What advice would you give to those who want to enter the beauty profession?
Answer: First of all, they have to select why they wants to be in beauty profession, is it for business, is it for job or is it for extra income outside the country or is it for part-time or is it for freelancing. So mostly we don't promote jobs in Bangladesh because the opportunity for trainees in the industry is very wide. We recommend being an entrepreneur and have designed our courses accordingly.
Question: How much can you earn if you choose a beauty profession abroad?
Answer: On average, as I have already said, a person normally gets up to 65 dollars in haircut and shavings if they do freelancing and if we think about salary, they can earn from minimum 3500 dollars to 8500 dollars, which is not impossible. So, I think there is a good possibility.
Question: Do you think it is possible to build a long career in this profession?
Answer: Of course! It is possible to build a long career in this profession, I think that if one can become an expert on a particular subject, without knowing everything little by little, if one can become an expert on just one subject, it will be much more sustainable.
Question: Do you think it is appropriate to choose a beauty profession in the domestic market?
Answer: The beauty profession is a personal matter. If someone feels passionate about it, they should do it. But if someone has no passion and only expects salary at the end of the month then they should go for some other alternative direction. If one does not have interest or passion, then it is natural not to grow much.
Question: How is the lack or demand of beauty experts in the domestic market?
Answer: Since the independent people of the country are not doing this work, our entire industry is based on skilled workers who definitely have some shortcomings, some theoretical deficiencies, some theoretical issues, some rules and regulations are lacking and due to lack of institutional education, they lag behind in customer dealings and entertainment. Due to which their earning and billing are also low. That's why I think those who are learning hair cutting or know the job should get training from a good institute.
Question: What is your role in developing skilled beauticians?
Answer: Actually we have said that we fully prepare those who want to start a beauty parlor or salon business so that they can start a business in Bangladesh and if they go outside the country we offer them some packages where they can become an expert with these courses in a short time.
Question: If someone wants to be in beauty profession, where can they start?
Answer: If you want to be in beauty profession, you have to do some courses and since now is the age of internet, you can easily get all the data on YouTube, google and learn things. Apart from taking any course, if one tries to progress on his own, it is possible very easily.
Messenger/Tareq
