Mayank Arya on YesMadam’s vision to transform the salon-at-home industry in India

Adgully has been turning the spotlight on the entrepreneurs who fought against all odds to bring their dreams to fruition in our special series – START-UP STARS. We at Adgully wholeheartedly support the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement and have been featuring numerous local/ homegrown businesses, brands, and Apps in the country launched in the last few years.

In conversation with Adgully, Mayank Arya, Co-founder, YesMadam, speaks about the growth and entrepreneurial journey of YesMadam, funding from Shark Tank India investors, YesMadam’s growth and expansion plans, empowerment and economic independence of women, scaling YesMadam, growth of startups, and much more.

Congratulations on securing ₹1.5 crore funding from Shark Tank India investors. Could you share with us the journey leading up to this milestone moment for YesMadam?

Thank you! Securing ₹1.5 crore funding from Shark Tank India investors was indeed a significant milestone for YesMadam. Our journey leading up to this moment has been filled with emotion, determination, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of our vision to transform the salon-at-home industry. From our humble beginning to the present, we’ve overcome numerous challenges, seized opportunities, and stayed true to our core values of innovation, integrity, women empowerment and customer-centricity. The support and validation from Shark Tank India investors have further fueled our passion and commitment to revolutionize the way people experience salon services.

How do you plan to utilise this funding to further propel YesMadam’s growth and expansion plans?

We envision utilizing this funding to accelerate YesMadam’s growth and expansion plans, with a strategic focus on several key areas. This includes enhancing our technology infrastructure to further streamline operations, improve user experience, and scale our platform to cater to a larger customer base. Additionally, we plan to invest in talent acquisition, marketing initiatives, and geographical expansion to strengthen our market presence and reach new audiences. Overall, our goal is to leverage this funding to propel YesMadam to new heights and solidify our position as the leading salon-at-home service provider in India.

Could you elaborate on how YesMadam is contributing to the empowerment and economic independence of women across India?

YesMadam is deeply committed to empowering women across India by providing them with opportunities for economic independence and personal growth. Through our platform, we empower female beauty professionals to build successful careers, gain financial autonomy, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. By offering flexible work options, skill development programs, and a supportive ecosystem, we enable women to take control of their destinies, break barriers, and thrive in the beauty and wellness industry while upholding their dignity and respect for their work.

By collaborating with Menoveda, we aim to empower women through Ayurvedic solutions, offering clarity on menopause and its phases to enhance productivity and confidence during this transition. Additionally, through our partnership with Daffodils Hospital, we are working on our women employees’ health and well-being. Through physical screenings and consultations with Senior Consultant Gynecologists in the camp, we prioritize early detection and support for breast health, championing holistic wellness within the YesMadam community.

With the increasing demand for convenience and personalized services, what do you believe sets YesMadam apart from traditional salon experiences?

What sets YesMadam apart from traditional salon experiences is our unwavering commitment to convenience, quality, and personalization. Unlike conventional salons, we bring salon-quality services directly to our customers’ doorstep, eliminating the need for travel and long waiting times.

With the increasing demand for convenience and personalized services, YesMadam sets itself apart from traditional salon experiences through several key features:

• Mono Dose Products: Offering fresh and hygienic products with each use ensures safety and cleanliness for customers.
• Safety & Hygiene: Implementing strict hygiene protocols for every service, our trained professionals prioritize customer well-being.
• Transparent Pricing: Providing a clear breakdown of product and service costs without any hidden fees ensures trust and transparency.
• Availability of Use Your Own Products: Allowing customers to use their personal products during service provides flexibility and caters to their preferences.
• Make Your Own Package: Customizing service packages to suit individual needs offers greater flexibility and savings for customers.

Could you walk us through some of the challenges that you’ve encountered while scaling YesMadam, and how you have overcome them?

Scaling YesMadam has presented its fair share of challenges, from operational complexities to market dynamics:

• Challenges and Resilience: The service industry’s backbone lies in its partner base, which can either make or break a business. YesMadam faced its share of challenges in this regard, including building trust amongst the first set of service professionals and ensuring them about their safety and the concerns regarding delivering services at home. However, overcoming such hurdles strengthened our resolve and taught us valuable lessons about resilience and perseverance.
• Transformation and Impact: Despite the initial setbacks, we remained committed to building consumer trust and cultivating an extensive network of partners. Today, reflecting on our journey, we take immense pride in the transformation we’ve brought about in society and the lives we’ve touched along the way. Through Yes Madam, we’ve empowered women in need to become economically independent, overcoming societal challenges such as abuse and judgment. With equal opportunities and training, they've built sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families. Our platform has also enabled skilled individuals to thrive, enhancing service quality and contributing to economic empowerment. We’re proud of the positive impact we’ve made, and we’re committed to continuing this journey of empowerment and transformation.
• Embracing Failure as Learning: Failure has been an integral part of our journey. As entrepreneurs, we understand that risks and failures are inherent in the path to success. Each setback has been a stepping stone, shaping our approach and reaffirming our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of over 3,000 professionals.
• Navigating the Pandemic: The Covid-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, testing the resilience of businesses worldwide. As a bootstrapped company, we faced financial constraints while ensuring support for our partner base and employees. Despite the adversity, our unwavering spirit and commitment to our vision propelled us forward.
• Prioritizing Sustainability: Amidst pressures to raise funds and scale rapidly, we remained steadfast in our commitment to building a sustainable business model. By staying true to our values and focusing on long-term objectives, we believe we’ve made prudent decisions that will secure YesMadam’s future growth and success.

Collaboration and partnerships often play a crucial role in the growth of startups. Are there any strategic collaborations or partnerships on the horizon for YesMadam that you can share with us?

Collaborations and partnerships are indeed crucial for the growth of startups, and YesMadam is actively exploring strategic alliances with like-minded organizations, industry leaders, and technology partners to enhance our service offerings and expand our reach. We are committed to forging meaningful partnerships that create value for our customers and stakeholders.

In addition to our ongoing efforts, we’re excited to announce exclusive collaborations that are set to revolutionize the beauty and wellness industry. YesMadam has partnered with renowned brands like Rica and McCaffine to introduce innovative services tailored to our customers’ needs. Our collaboration with McCaffine brings advanced scalp treatments to our service portfolio, providing effective solutions for hair care.

These collaborations are just the beginning, with many more exciting partnerships in the pipeline. Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and elevate the salon-at-home experience for our valued customers.

In what ways do you foresee the salon-at-home industry evolving in the coming years, and how is YesMadam positioning itself to stay ahead of the curve?

The salon-at-home industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. At YesMadam, we are positioning ourselves to stay ahead of the curve by continually innovating, adapting to emerging trends, and delivering exceptional value to our customers. By staying agile, embracing innovation, and leveraging data-driven insights, we are confident in our ability to lead the industry forward and maintain our position as a market leader.

What exciting developments can we expect from YesMadam in the near future?

In the near future, you can expect YesMadam to roll out exciting new initiatives, service enhancements, and expansion plans aimed at further elevating the salon-at-home experience. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, exceeding customer expectations, and solidifying YesMadam’s position as the preferred choice for salon services across India. Stay tuned for some remarkable developments ahead.