Fatema Huzaifa Mandsaurwala

In the heart of South Mumbai’s glittering Colaba district, where luxury meets legacy, one beauty maven has emerged as a beacon of elegance, authenticity, and innovation – Fatema Huzaifa Mandsaurwala, who helms FARMAVITA, is a passionate entrepreneur whose innate eye for beauty, paired with an unwavering commitment to holistic wellness, has elevated her brand to iconic status.

Inspired by a lifelong admiration for natural beauty and encouraged by her husband to pursue her dream, Fatema transformed her vision into reality, by creating a salon experience that goes far beyond skin-deep. From curating her flagship space in Colaba to forging an exclusive partnership with Italy’s globally renowned FARMAVITA, a brand synonymous with purity and plant-based excellence, Fatema has redefined luxury hair and beauty care for the modern Indian woman.

Her salon isn’t just about pampering, it’s about precision, performance, and personalisation. With her handpicked team of highly trained experts, state-of-the-art techniques, and a deep-rooted ethos of customer satisfaction, Fatema ensures every client walks out looking and feeling exceptional. It’s this dedication to craftsmanship and client care that’s earned Fatema, a loyal, high-end clientele, including celebrities and discerning tastemakers.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Fatema Huzaifa Mandsaurwala tells Sumita Chakraborty, Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, about her inspiring journey, the challenges she conquered, and how she built one of Mumbai’s most luxurious beauty destinations.

Over To Fatema Huzaifa Mandsaurwala

Tell us about the beginning of your journey… what inspired you to step into the beauty and salon industry, and how did the Colaba flagship come to life?

Fatema: I have always been an admirer of beauty and the way a person presents herself, more so enhancing natural beauty from within and not just the superficial layering. I used to talk to my husband about it. He was the one who saw the spark in me and encouraged me to join the field and put my words ‘n’ thoughts into practice.

Also, salons, from a business point of view, are a thriving industry. We wanted to provide quality service in a natural way and built up a potentially efficient team to do so. Thats how things got started and everything followed.

What makes your salon stand out in a competitive market like South Mumbai, especially in such a prestigious location as Colaba?

Fatema: “Customer Satisfaction ” is the motto we follow religiously. FARMAVITA caters to needs and concerns of every client with utmost precision. The quality of our product speaks for itself. The products we use are derived from natural sources away from chemicals. These are suitable for clients across genre. We make our clients feel at home, relaxed and pampered at FARMAVITA.

Our staff is exceptionally professional and well-trained in their field of expertise. The equipment and techniques used are modern and in line with trends. We have reliable working hours. The brand identity we hold is unique. We customise packages to suit our clients’ need and concern. At FARMAVITA, consultation is core before commencing any services to get the desired results.

Your brand FARMAVITA is impressive. How did that partnership come about, and what impact has it had on your brand and services?

Fatema: We begin with thorough research of varied brands across the Globe. Finally, we settled down with the best and most amazing brand “FARMAVITA” which is from ITALY. “FARMAVITA ” means “Farm” and “Vitamins”. The name itself suggests how pure, safe, nourishing and fruitful the products of this brand must be. FARMAVITA is totally away from any type of chemicals. It is in the purest natural form possible.

People, these days, are well aware of the harmful and long-term side-effects of chemicals. So, I can proudly say that the natural side of my brand is the strongest point. FARMAVITA repairs, retreats, revives and replenishes the lost nutrients of the hair in the most natural way, leaving it soft, shiny, frizz free, full of volume and bounce. Trust me, people are in love with the results.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your salon and academy – from conception to launch, and how did you overcome them?

Fatema: As they say, “No gain without pain”, we have had our shares of ups and downs. There have been good days and bad ones… Restless days and sleepless nights before reaching where we are today. Our biggest challenge was to win the trust of our clients for the brand. To get them to believe in FARMAVITA. Initially, our clients were not ready to put their trust in an international brand.

So, at times even I was discouraged and had doubt about my own capabilities. But then eventually the product spoke for itself. Our client was convinced. This gave FARMAVITA a boost. People started resonating with our commitment and the quality of our product. And from here on, FARMAVITA has never looked behind… and started shining brighter and elevating higher at every step.

You cater to a high-end clientele. How do you maintain a balance between luxury service and evolving beauty trends?

Fatema: A few strategies that we follow helps us to strike the right balance between luxury services and evolving trends. Starting with a friendly consultation, we try and understand our high-end clients’ preferences, lifestyle and expectations. Then we tailor our services accordingly to meet their unique need, while incorporating more trendy elements that they appreciate. We seamlessly integrate fresh ideas into our luxury services by updating our staff through workshops, training, conferences to stay in tune about trends and techniques. Also, the feedback from every client is a must so that we can cater to their preferences and modify our services accordingly.

Every entrepreneur has that one turning point. What was the major milestone or breakthrough moment in your journey that made you feel, “Yes, this is working”?

Fatema: For me, the major milestone was when we landed our first high profile celebrity client. It wasn’t just about the prestige; it was about the validation that our unique approach to luxury salon services were resonating with discerning clients.

What really made it a turning point was when the clients gave glowing reviews on social media, which brought in a wave of new high-end clients. It was that moment that made me realise that our dedication to bespoke services, quality and attention to detail was paying off. It was a pivotal moment that confirmed our business model and set us on a path to continued growth and success.

In an ever-evolving industry like beauty and wellness, how do you keep your team inspired and continuously trained to deliver top-tier results?

Fatema: My team is my strength. At FARMAVITA, we believe in acquiring knowledge constantly. The regular upgradation of our staff through workshops, master classes and training sessions with industry experts keeps them updated on the latest trends and techniques.

Experienced stylists act as mentors to newer team members, which fosters knowledge sharing and growth. Perks in form of performance-based rewards motivates the team to strive for excellence. We keep the passion towards work in our staff alive by encouraging our stylists to explore their creativity and try new things. We also organise regular health checkups, plan outings and parties to ensure their mental and physical well-being. This strengthens the bond between the team members, which in turn results into a happy vibrant working environment at the workplace.

What advice would you give to young women looking to break into the beauty business or start their own salon brand in today’s market?

Fatema: To all the beautiful women out there, I would say stay true to your creative vision and don’t hesitate to experiment. Always have a die-hard passion for what you do.  This will help you enjoy what you are doing. Be open to criticism and learn from your mistakes. Keep upgrading yourself with the latest trends and techniques. Build a strong online presence and showcase your work. Believe in yourself and let your passion shine through your work. All these will take you a long way and facilitate to build a successful career or brand in the beauty industry.