India, August 2022 – Hasini Gunasekara, entrepreneur, Director of Naturals salon chain in Sri Lanka, and Managing Director of International Academy of Beauticians was recognized as an outstanding contributor towards women’s empowerment and was awarded the Woman Influencer Award at the recent South India Miss & Mrs – 2002 Award Show organized by the All India Hair and Beauty Association. This recognition was awarded for her exemplary efforts in providing a platform for women to pursue a profession and be economically independent through Naturals Lanka Grooming (Pvt) Ltd. She was instrumental in taking Naturals, India’s No. 1 salon chain, international.
“The journey of an entrepreneur can be difficult with most of the motivation being self-driven. In an environment of uncertainty, receiving this recognition and to be on the same platform alongside professionals of another country was an amazing experience,” Hasini shared, “I feel proud knowing that the community in India recognized my efforts and it is a great encouragement for me to know that I have reached beyond the boundaries of my country.”
Naturals Lanka Grooming (Pvt) Ltd is the chain of franchisee salons based in Sri Lanka, operating with 100% local ownership. “Franchising was a novel concept in the Sri Lankan business world at the time we decided to launch Naturals Sri Lanka. However, it proved to be a successful concept. With the support of my team, I have been able to expand and today we are seven salons strong,” she said.
Established in 2017 in Boralesgamuwa, Naturals salons have since expanded to Nugegoda, Thalawathugoda, Kiribathgoda, Kotahena, Wattala, Kandana and have empowered women by providing opportunities for financial independence through direct employment, beauty education and encouraged entrepreneurship through franchise opportunities.
Groom Sri Lanka is Hasini’s key vision for her customers. “I want everyone to take care of themselves and have that personal confidence for themselves. One of my biggest dreams is for all Sri Lankans to have access to affordable, comfortable luxury services for personal grooming.”
The International Academy of Beauticians was established by Hasini to provide high quality hairdressing and beauty education, in a safe space for all students and supply employable skills to the industry.
“There is a lack in harnessing good talent in the industry. I want to popularize the concept of intrapreneurship where stylists can progress in their careers without financially investing into a business, improve their skills, earning capacity, and for the beauty industry to be a sought-after industry to be employed in. My academy aims to provide education on par with international standards ensuring qualified stylists can find employment in any part of the world,” she explained her plans for the growth of the industry.
