Be U Salons

Be U Salons, legally operating as Gingerpan Swapcart Pvt Ltd., is a technology-enabled salon chain in India, established in October 2016. The company was founded by Vikas Johari, Jigyasa Gupta, and Shailendra Nagvani. Johari, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience from ventures like Monsoon Salon & Spa and MaXposure Global, identified that a significant portion of the Indian salon industry consisted of unorganized, standalone outlets facing challenges with infrastructure, standardization, and marketing. This insight led to the creation of Be U Salons, which aimed to provide a support ecosystem for these businesses.

The company operates on a B2B2C model, partnering with existing neighborhood salons to standardize services, automate operations, and improve profitability. Be U provides its partner salons with a suite of technology-driven solutions, including inventory management, customer relationship management, and real-time performance tracking. A key component of its strategy is an employee-centric application that helps salon staff manage appointments, track targets and incentives, and build their professional portfolios, thereby increasing efficiency and motivation. Revenue is generated through a revenue-sharing agreement with the salons, which varies based on the salon's classification into one of three tiers: premium, affordable, or basic.

For consumers, Be U Salons offers a consistent and affordable experience across its network. Through its mobile application for iOS and Android, customers can discover nearby salons, book appointments for services like haircuts, styling, and keratin treatments, and purchase beauty products from various brands. In a move to foster customer loyalty, the company introduced a subscription model called "SalonPass" in 2018. This program allows customers to pay an annual fee to receive a set value of free services each month, addressing budget constraints and encouraging repeat business. The company has also expanded into a franchise model, which started in 2018, allowing entrepreneurs to open Be U Salons with an initial investment and a franchise fee.

Since its inception, Be U Salons has secured over $1.14 million in seed funding across four rounds from a mix of institutional investors and angels, including Jaipur Capital, Brand Capital, and 5ideas Startup Superfuel. These funds have been utilized to strengthen its technology infrastructure, expand its market presence, and for marketing initiatives.

Keywords: salon chain, beauty services, franchise model, B2B2C platform, salon aggregation, beauty tech, subscription model, salon management software, on-demand beauty, India beauty market, Vikas Johari, asset-light business, customer loyalty program, salon technology, beauty and wellness, hair care, skin care, appointment booking app, salon partnership, franchise opportunity