Employment December 10, 2019
Visually impaired beauty parlour owner Dipti Kale wins customers over with skill & confidence

Running a beauty parlour can be tough. Some may think a person with disability can never do it. Visually impaired Dipti Kale from Maharashtra is proving them wrong. Dipti owns a parlour in Thane, Maharashtra and has built a loyal customer base.
Luxury hair spa to advanced skin therapies, Siya Beauty Parlour in Thane, Maharashtra promises a range of beauty treatments. Owner Dipti Kale knows exactly what women are looking for. 36-year-old Dipti, who is visually impaired, keeps up to date with the latest beauty trends. She opened the parlour after acquiring the relevant skills and experience.
I worked for 10 years in various beauty parlours before launching Sia Beauty Parlour. I have done a basic salon course followed by a one-year diploma at Clara International Academy. I lam familiar with treatments for conditions like acne, etc. I learned useful tips here as well as at the parlours I later worked in. – Dipti Kale, Owner, Siya Beauty Salon
Dipti initially faced some resistance. People were sceptical about how a low vision person could be a beautician. “I was upfront about the things I could not do, like threading. My interest lay in facials and other skin-related therapies. I found owners open to hiring me after that”.
Coming into her own
After putting together some savings, Dipti felt confident to start a parlour and her family stepped in to support her with additional funds. “Dipti has found something she is good at and that makes me happy”, says mom Jyotsna Kale. “When Dipti started losing sight in class 4, we were worried about the future. I was worried when she said she wanted to start her own parlour, but she is doing well”.
At Sia Beauty Parlour, Dipti offers basic beauty services and specialised treatments. She has two people working for her and plans to hire more going ahead. Dipti recently won ₹ 31,000 at the Voice Vision Entrepreneurial Idea Awards for blind entrepreneurs. She will use that money to buy advanced equipment.
Winning factors for customers
This dedication and enthusiasm have won Dipti many customers.
“I never went to beauty parlours for anything more than threading”, says businesswoman Anushree Pendse. A visit to Sia Beauty Parlour two years ago changed that. “I loved the experience and go there regularly for facials, etc. I admire Dipti’s competence and sincerity. She always gives the right advice and her staff is good too. I am amazed by her confidence”.
Trupti Kulkarni, an accountant in Thane, feels satisfied with the quality of services. “I love the facials. Even the basic services offered are a high standard”. Pune-based customer Manasi Manoharikar loves Dipti’s attitude. “I visit Mumbai every month for work reasons and get my beauty treatment done at Dipti’s parlour. She does everything with confidence, sincerity, and dedication and I love that”.
Book an appointment at Sia Beauty Parlour at +91 – 86919 00092
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