Thilaka Dela Bandara succeeds novel venture:
Promoting
Ayurveda beauty therapy
Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
The concept of beauty is close to anyone’s heart and much effort is
taken to maintain and improve one’s appearance. In today’s context care
and treatment has become a part of fast changing lifestyle. There is a
growing demand for natural beautification products and ayurvedic
treatment methods.
Ayurveda doctor Thilaka H. Dela Bandara is reputed for her ayurvedic
beauty care products and beauty therapy. She runs a successful treatment
centre popular among her clientele.
Thilaka with her husband. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe |
She was interviewed by the Daily News Business.
Q: What business are you engaged in
and how do you set about it?
A: My husband and myself
are ayurveda doctors by profession with over 20 years experience. The
Suwasahana Ayurvedic Institute in Maharagama provides Ayurvedic beauty
therapy and medical therapy. It includes treatment for arthritis,
psoriasis, gastritis, obesity, cholesterol and diabetes.
The institute also provides beauty therapy including ayurvedic facial
treatment, anti-wrinkle treatment, removing warts, oil treatment for
baldness, treatment for pimples and black heads, treatment for obesity,
manicure and pedicure.
We produce ayurvedic beauty care products under the brand name
Sobaroo. The range includes soaps, face wash, body lotions, herbal hair
oil and shampoo. There is a growing demand for our products and we
intend expanding operations to cater to a wider market.
There are repeat customers and the reason for the popularity of
products is that we only use the natural ingredients.
There is no inclusion of artificial items or chemicals in the
carefully monitored production process. It is the secret behind our
success.
Q: How do you balance your family and
business?
A: My husband ayurvedic
doctor Upul N. Dela Bandara encourages and motivates me in continuing
the business, which has reach greater heights. His support is a tower of
strength. I have two children and I value the contribution by my family
members. It is a blessing for the business. I manage time efficiently
and effectively to strike a balance between family and business.
Q: What were the challenges you
faced?
A: We produce real natural
products, which are not harmful for the end-user. This is the reason
behind the growing demand. We had stiff competition at the initial
stages from producers of similar products. However, with time consumers
understood the difference in products. This resulted in high demand for
our products and treatment methods.
Q: What are your goals?
A: I plan to expand the
business locally and also to capture the international market. Steps
have been taken to promote ayurvedic treatment methods and natural
beauty care products, which is not harmful for human body.
I felt that local products manufactured with indigenous ingredients
need to be given recognition.
As a woman it gives me pleasure to receive positive feedback from my
customers admiring my products and medical treatment.
Q: Being a woman was it an advantage
to be in business?
A: Certainly. Women have
strength and endurance that are vital for the growth and sustainability
of a business. They are also capable of attracting support from
Thilaka H. Dela Bandara |
others.
Q: What is your advice to women in
business?
A: Women who engage in
business and those who are planning to venture into business need to
have a set of achievable goals.
They also need to have a clear-cut plan to achieve these goals and be
bold and courageous in facing challenges.
It is important to be knowledgeable of your business and needs to
employ capable people with competence. Managing human resource is an
essential component in a successful business.
Q: What were your achievements in
family and business?
A: I have a well-knit
family. As a woman I am satisfied with my life and we live happily. I
work towards their well-being and the appreciation I receive in return
gives me confidence to move forward.
I have earned a reputation as a popular and recognised ayurvedic
doctor. I value this reputation. I deal with patients who have suffered
for a long time. The trust in my treatment process is evident in the
growing customer base.
I also have employed over 20 and with the expected expansion more
employment opportunities could be generated.
I have not engaged in mass scale advertising and the only medium of
advertising is the positive feedback from my customers.
They recommend my products and treatment methods to others and this
has made the business grow further.
Q: What is your contribution to
society?
A: I have treated a larger
number of patients as an ayurvedic doctor and they praise me for the
service I provide. There is an equal number of people who have obtained
my treatment in the field of beauty culture. They are all satisfied
customers and it gives me added strength to continue the business.
There is a trend in beauty care products mushrooming which are not
suited for most of us.
This is not a good sign as real ayurvedic products too could have an
impact and trust in these products could deteriorate. It is necessary to
take corrective action.
As a medium scale business I intend to expand and financing is a
drawback in this regard.
I would appreciate if a funding institution could assist us as it
will benefit the business and society by creating more jobs.
There are suppliers of medicinal plants and they too could benefit in
the long run. My ultimate aim is to popularize good products and to see
people glowing with beauty. |