WHAT DO you do if your father goes bankrupt when you’re ten years old, you flunk your HSC exams, sell SIM cards and shoes to eke out a living and yet end up broke at 20? You do pretty damn well for yourself if you ask Asif Rajan, 28-year-old hairstylist and owner of two Mumbai salons with over 4,000 clients and a six-figure monthly income.

Amid the funky purple walls and thumping house music at Asif —The Salon in Bandra, Rajan, wearing Diesel jeans and silver Dolce&Gabbana sneakers, gulps coffee in between snipping, layering, colouring and talking. He looks the part of a young, successful entrepreneur with a penchant for branded clothes and sports bikes (he owns one).

But in quintessential Mumbai style, his has been a riches-to-rags-to-riches saga. With a gross revenue of Rs 6 to 8 lakh a month, celebrity clients like Katrina Kaif and Abhay Deol and the privilege of being the Indian brand ambassador of hair products company Shwarzkopf, Rajan’s rise also illustrates the hairstyling profession’s massive potential, for college graduates — and dropouts.

“We were a well-to-do family in Bandra. I was given the best of everything. Suddenly, our lives fell apart when my father went bankrupt while I was in the 5th standard,” said Rajan, whose childhood dream of becoming a pilot also came crashing down. After the 10th standard, with abysmal marks like half out of 100 in some subjects, he was denied admission to most city colleges. Eventually, he got into Rizvi, but failed his HSC exams. He dropped out.

“I also didn’t want to study further because I had to earn to support my family,” he said. So he did odd jobs like selling SIM cards and Reebok shoes.

Journey begins

 His tryst with hairdressing began when an acquaintance got him a job at a parlour’s cash counter. Rajan, then 19, earned Rs 3,000 a month, and the bonus of a life-changing decision. “After closely observing the hairstylists, I was inspired by how they could change people’s looks in a matter of an hour and gain their clients’ respect,” said Rajan, who then started cutting his family’s and friends’ hair at home. “This was when I realised what I wanted to do with my life.”

With the help of a friend and several loans, he opened a less-than-modest salon called Hair Mischief in Bandra in 2000. It closed down in eight months.

Unable to afford the exorbitant training fees demanded by the city’s top salons and armed only with a handwritten CV and an iron determination, he was finally hired as a trainee at Juice Salon by the biggest name in hairstyling, Adhuna Akhtar.

“At Juice, I worked from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, wash ing five chairs, mirrors and the dummies’ heads; cleaning the backwashes (basins) and sweeping hair off the floor,” Rajan recalled. He had to his credit only one actual haircut during his 28 days at Juice. Realising that he wasn’t going where he wanted to be, Asif quit.

After a nine-month stint at the reputed Nalini and Yasmin salon, Rajan’s client list grew, and so did his confidence.

He was then hired by Makeover salon at Carter Road in Bandra, where he swiftly sharpened his scissors and skills to be made partner at the age of 23. “I dedicated my life to my work. I stopped partying, drinking and going out with friends,” said the selftaught stylist, whose seven-day work week took a toll on his health in 2003.

“My thumb stopped working, and after five injections, the doctor warned me against cutting hair.” So what did he do? “I popped painkillers, and did 15 haircuts and seven colourings soon after.”

Turning entrepreneur

 Fast forward to 2005. Basking on a beach in Koh Samui, Thailand, Rajan impulsively decided to start his own salon. The day after he returned from Thailand, he quit Makeover, rented a space in a classy glass building in Bandra and hired a contractor along with three stylists to start Asif — The Salon. Within five days of it opening, he recovered his rent of Rs 60,000. In 2007, he launched the second ‘Asif — The Salon’ in Andheri’s Lokhandwala Complex and 2008 began with the opening of HeadStart, Asif ’s hair academy, where he already has three students. “I want to pass on my knowhow to those who will make money for me.”

 “Being a dropout, I had no idea how to run a business in Mumbai,” admitted this admirer of Vidal Sassoon, the famous American hairdresser. He likened his success to that of Reader’s Digest, which “sells through word-of-mouth, not through newsstands.”

Rajan’s story is exceptional, but other hairdressers are thriving too.

Take 24-year-old Meera Singh Rathore (see below), senior stylist at Juice. After passing her 12th standard, she never went back to college. But that does not stop her from earning about Rs 80,000 a month today. “Hairstyling is so much better than a 9-5 desk job,” said Rathore, whose weekly schedule is always full of appointments. “A salon has young energy and a cool vibe. We are all in our 20s, so we chill afterhours at the salon, go for movies and party together.”

Rajan too treats his stylists as friends. He has been dating one of them for a while now. “We unwind after work with drinks at Zenzi or a party at China House, and go for beach picnics on special occasions.”

From Rs 350 for his first haircut to his current rate of Rs 1,250 for one, Rajan has certainly snipped and styled his way to success. But this go-getter wants more. “I want to get to Hollywood,” he said. “I will.”

hotjobs@hindustantimes.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Case Study

rapidfire

Star sign: Sagittarius.

 What’s your favourite bar?

 Zenzi.

What do you think of religion?

I don’t believe in it.

 Who is your ideal woman?

Catherine Zeta Jones

 What is your biggest fear?

 Growing bald!

 What’s in and what’s out right now?

 Bobs are in, long hair is out.

 Your style icon:

 Kanye West

 What’s the main difference between your generation and your parents?

 We are more ambitious.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Case Study

A day in his life

9:30 am: Wake up. Usually munch on my butter toast and sip on coffee while watching the stock market on TV. Have to run my eye over the real estate columns in the newspaper.

10:30 am: Leave for either my Bandra or Lokhandwala salon in my Honda Civic or sports bike.

11:00 am to 7:30 pm: Work on about 5-15 clients per day. I eat lunch whenever I get a break between clients. It’s usually home food or from Candies.At

4:00 pm: I usually take my tea break.

8:30 pm to 9:30 pm: I get home, and recently, I’ve started kickboxing regularly with a trainer on my terrace.

 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm: Go home to chill, eat dinner, watch TV and shower

11:30 pm to past midnight: Meet my girlfriend for a coffee at Cafe Coffee Day or head out with friends to catch a drink at Zenzi or a party at China House.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

JAN, 28 ASIF RA owner tylist and Job: Hairs s mbai salon of two Mu lakh Rs 6 to 8

revenue: Monthly CHATROOM: ASIF RAJAN GIVES YOU A QUICK CUT INTO HIS LIFE

I was inspired by how hairstylists could change people’s looks in a matter of an hour and gain their clients’ respect.

Are you conscious about your appearance while working?

 Personality and personal appearances count a lot in hairdressing. In fact, I dress better to work than I do when I go partying at night. I spend nearly Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 every few months on my work clothes.

Your most memorable experience?

 I once had a client who was a middle-aged woman from Delhi. She was overweight and de pressed about her life. She told me all her problems and I gave her advice and motivated her while giving her a colour and cut. A month later she came back and I couldn’t recognise her. She had lost weight and was looking much happier. She said to me, “You changed me”.

And your worst experience?

 I once nicked my friend’s ear while cutting his hair. It was a morning appointment and I was sleepy!

What makes a great hairstylist?

I would give it about 50 per cent to tongue — you have to speak good English and converse well — 30 per cent to talent and 20 per cent to tools and equipment.

How often do you go on holidays?

In my capacity as Schwarzkopf ’s brand ambassador I get to travel around the world at least twice a year. I last went to London and Budapest.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAIR SPRAY: MEERA SINGH RATHORE, 24, ASKED TO DESCRIBE HERSELF IN A WORD, SAYS, “LOUD.”

MEERA SINGH RATHORE, 24 Job: Senior stylist, Juice salons Salary: Rs 80,000 a month

Along with another person, I did the make-up and hair of forty Caucasian professional ramp models for a fashion show in Dubai. It was an exciting and enriching experience.

A THESIS on the eScholarship editions website analysing the role of traditional Rajput women suggests courtly decorum for young girls: they are not allowed to laugh or speak loudly, and spontaneity is discouraged. Enter Meera Singh Rathore, a 24-year-old Rajput girl who, when asked to describe herself, says: “Loud.”

It’s hard to disagree. Rathore is anything but traditional. With gold and copper highlights shimmering in her hair and heavy kohl-lined eyes sparkling beneath funky spectacle frames, Rathore is decked out with trendy trinkets and a spunky attitude.

But don’t mistake her for a Rajput rebel without a cause. She is a highly successful, highly paid and highly respected senior hairstylist in one of the city’s hippest salons: Juice.

Born in Mumbai and bred in Doha, Rathore was re-born in Mumbai as a hair stylist when she enrolled at Juice academy to train under the adept hands of Adhuna Akhtar. “I always wanted to do hair and makeup because I was surrounded by beautiful Middle Eastern women who took great care of their appearances.” Never quite interested in academics, Rathore began working as an assistant in Juice at the age of seventeen. “I was a shadow to my senior. I did 40 to 50 shampoos a day, swept hair off the floor and washed the basins, for a basic monthly salary of Rs 5,000.”

Practising haircuts on various “guinea pigs”, Rathore perfected her skills when she was 19, earning Rs 20,000 a month. By her own admission, she is “always caked in makeup”, which is why she trained under renowned makeup artist Marvie Beck.

After a two-week advanced hairstyle course with Vidal Sassoon in Los Angeles, Rathore was promoted to senior stylist at Juice last year. But with the fun, money and fame, came the occupational hazards of a profession that requires you to stand on your feet for 12 hours straight. “I suffered from cervical spondylitis a few years ago. You have to be physically fit to be a good hairstylist,” she said.

But even with eight or nine clients a day, appointments booked for weeks, backto-back training sessions and a sensitive back, this zealous and zany 24-year-old is hungry for more.

Which is why, in her spare time (whatever little she has of it), Rathore freelances for fashion shows and film shoots. “One can never know enough in this profession,” she said. “I want to learn advanced prosthetic make-up, hair extensions, bridal and film make-up, so I can travel around the world for shoots and shows.”

Her most memorable experience: “Along with another person, I did the make-up and hair of 40 Caucasian models for a fashion show in Dubai. They were all professional ramp models.” She has also travelled to Malaysia to style for the movie Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye and has celebrities like television actress Ruby Bhatia, model-turned-actors Shawar Ali and Upen Patel and pop sensation Jay Sean as clients.

Earning nearly Rs 80,000 a month, Rathore was born for this profession. “A salon has a really cool and creative vibe and the atmosphere is youthful and fun. Hairstyling allows you to express your individuality”.

And how. She changes her look every month, so much so, that her clients fail to recognise her! “I change my hair according to my frame of mind. Once I coloured it a vibrant red after watching Run Lola Run. Another time it was blonde in front and copper at the back when I was in my Ginger Spice phase.”

 How does she relax? With coffee and colleagues in the mini-garden of the Khar salon or catching a movie or a drink after work. “I am happy with where I am right now. My parents are proud that I am financially independent at this age.”

Like all hairstylists worth their mettle, Rathore dreams of having her own salon one day. “But I want to be doing so much more than that,” she said. “I want to be all over the place.” With flaming hair, jingling beads and catty eyes intact, of course.

hotjobs@hindustantimes.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Show me the money

VADERER OR ASSISTANT

This is like an internship, when you watch and assist seniors, and learn while working.

Pay: Up to Rs 5,000 per month depending on the salon; some pay nothing at all.

JUNIOR STYLIST

You get walk-in clients, who don’t have any preference for a stylist. You also assist the senior stylist, do washes and blowdries for senior stylists’ clients.

Pay: Rs 10,000 a month

Plus 5% to 10% commission depending on the salon.

STYLIST

You work on your own clients plus walk-ins. You do your own cuts, straightenings, colours and styles. Use this period to build your reputation and clients.

Pay: Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000

 Plus 10% to 15% commission depending on the salon.

SENIOR STYLIST

You have your own set of clients. You do colour and cut consultations for junior stylists. You don’t have to do your own washes and blow-dries. You also conduct inhouse training for assistants.

Pay: Rs 25,000 to 40,000

Plus 30% to 50% commission depending on the salon which can amount to Rs 1 lakh

SALON DIRECTOR

 You manage the salon and look after the welfare of staff. You conduct in-house training programmes and continue doing cuts and colours for your own clients.

Pay: Varies widely from salon to salon, but it’s good.

You often have the option of managing a franchisee of the salon that you’re working for, or of starting your own salon.

SKILLS

1. A hairstylist needs to have an aesthetic approach, an eye for detail and a high degree of creativity and innovation.

2. Technical finesse with hairdressing equipment like scissors, razors, blow driers, hair irons, etc, is crucial as ineptitude with instruments might have disastrous results.

3. Firm and adept hands needed where styling, colouring and chemical treatments, etc, are concerned.

4. Has to be physically fit you constantly use your arms and fingers, and stand for eight to 12 hours straight.

5. Excellent communication and diplomatic skills are a pre-requisite. A hairstylist has to be a people’s person.

6. Should have a pleasing personality and should always be well turned out.

>> More on www.hindustantimes.com/ hotnewcareers

TRAINING

CHRISTINE VALMY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ESTHETICS

Hair styling: Six-month course for one Christine Valmy diploma certificate and four individual certificates

Cost: Rs 90,300.

Cosmetology: One-year course for two Christine Valmy diploma certificates and 11 individual certificates

 Cost: Rs 1,75,000

 NALINI AND YASMIN ACADEMY

Hair Basic English course: 4½-week course certified for Nalini and Yasmin

Cost: Rs 1,55,000

 Hair Refresher course: Two-week advanced certified course for diploma from Nalini and Yasmin

Cost:Rs 35,000

 >> More on www.hindustantimes.com/ hotnewcareers

GO GLOBAL

1. This career offers fantastic opportunities for travel.

2. Senior stylists are often sent abroad for sponsored advanced courses in hairstyling at renowned international academies like Toni&Guy and Vidal Sassoon.

3. Stylists can also be employed by an international beauty product brand to be their Indian brand ambassador. As an ambassador, the stylist is sent for advanced training or to conduct training sessions and workshops at salons across the world.

4.  Hairstyling is regarded as a wellrespected and high-paying profession abroad and receives as much as 60 points in the Australian immigration process.

>> More on www.hindustantimes.com/ hotnewcareers

 PLUSES AND MINUSES

1. It’s not a 9-to-5 desk job. It never gets boring as you are constantly creating and innovating new looks as per different clients’ need and wants.

2. Apart from the fame and glamour of the profession, there are great travel opportunities, both for training and education as well as work.

3. There are health hazards as it’s a strenuous job requiring you to be on your feet for eight to ten hours straight. Excessive use of hands and fingers can also lead to injuries.

4. You have to be willing to work on weekends — Friday,s Saturdays and Sundays are peak hairdressing days.

>> More on www.hindustantimes.com/hotnewcareers

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------