Kashiff Khan, Director, Aura Thai Spa Services Pvt. Ltd

Aiming to be the most sought-after brand in the Thai Spa Service industry is the Dubai based company that has recently set its foot in India via franchising. In an interaction, Kashiff Khan, Director, Aura Thai Spa Services Pvt. Ltd shares company’s expansion plans. 

Namita Bhagat (NB): Brief us about the origin and development of your company. What is the USP of the brand?  

Kashiff Khan (KK): Aura Thai Spa Services Private Limited (ATSSPL) is a Dubai-based Spa and Wellness service brand. We started our operations in Dubai in 2006 with an aim to be the most sought-after Thai Spa Service Industry. After earning the trust of a large number of customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand, we set foot in the Indian market in January 2010. The USP of the brand is that we have trained Thai masseurs who are certified by Ministry of Health and Education, Thailand. 

NB: How did the company opt for franchise route?

KK: We chose the franchise route because we have a great business idea which has worked, in Mumbai and has been a big hit and there is a demand for spas all over the country. 

NB: How many present locations do you have? Tell us about your further expansion plans?  

KK: We started our first outlet in Bandra (Pali Hill) in Jan 2010. We now have 11 outlets, in seven operational in Mumbai and four in Dubai.  We also have outlets coming up in Delhi, Goa, Varanasi, Allahabad, Pune, Kanpur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Chennai. We have been nominated at the asiaSpa awards for Best New Spa (Day) and Best Spa interiors. We aim to have 150 spas by 2015.

NB: What kind of marketing and promotional strategy does the company follow for the brands’ growth?

KK: Yes indeed a promotional strategy plays a sizeable role in the growth of a brand. We always address supporting arguments and opposing arguments on a strategy. We evaluate the potential profit of participating in franchise exhibitions, conferences and website. We also make sure that we give our articles in business related magazines to enhance our reach by targeting right business partners.

NB: What is the initial capital required in terms of space and money to be part of your ‘Aura Spa’ franchisee network?

KK: Ours is a simple Spa concept and prior experience in the Wellness industry is not mandatory for the prospective franchisee. The initial investment required from the franchisee’s end is Rs 45 lakh and Rs 15 lakh towards the franchisee fee. Also, in terms of space eligibility, the minimum area required is 1,000 sq. ft (carpet area).

NB:  How do you train and support the potential franchisees to set up the franchise centre of your company?

KK:  We take care of the entire project from its beginning. We provide, right from setting up the franchised centre to its interiors and even the operational support. Additionally, we also offer marketing, software, MIS and accounting support.

We have an efficient communicational channel for franchisees at place so that to keep track of daily operations, client visits and billing etc. Also, we provide the HR support in the form of Certified Therapists to the franchisees, although they can recruit Spa managers on their own.