TheCconnects: Maya, your journey resonates with so many women across India. Let’s begin at the very start. How would you describe your professional journey so far?
Maya P. Kumar:
My journey has been anything but linear. I was born and brought up in Jamshedpur in a very simple family, where dreams were often limited by circumstances. Like many young girls, I grew up with restrictions-social, financial, and sometimes emotional. I wanted to become a doctor, but life had other plans. Financial constraints meant that dream had to pause, but my love for learning never stopped.
I pursued academics seriously-completed my Bachelor’s and Post-Graduation in Chemistry, followed by a B.Ed. Education gave me discipline, analytical thinking, and patience, which later became my strongest tools. After marriage, I moved to Hyderabad in 2010 and lived the life of a homemaker. But internally, I always knew I was meant to build something of my own.
In 2018, I took a bold step. I studied cosmetology, beauty therapy, and hair styling, and opened a small ladies’ salon. That was the real beginning-not just of a business, but of self-discovery. From there, every year has been about upgrading myself, learning more science, and solving real hair and skin problems for real people.
TheCconnects: What pushed you to move beyond a traditional salon model into aesthetics and clinical beauty?
Maya P. Kumar:
Very early on, I realized that beauty is not just about surface-level styling. Clients would come to me with hair fall, scalp disorders, pigmentation, acne, and confidence issues. I didn’t want to offer temporary fixes. I wanted to understand why these problems existed.
That curiosity pushed me towards medical cosmetology, trichology, and aesthetic laser training. I invested in education even when it was financially and emotionally exhausting. I studied while running the salon, managing family, and working hands-on with clients. That combination of science and artistry became my identity.
By October 2024, I was ready to scale responsibly. That’s when I launched the expanded flagship-Maaya’s Makeover as a unisex salon, aesthetic studio, nail & makeup studio, and academy. It wasn’t about expansion for glamour; it was about offering complete, ethical, science-backed solutions under one roof.
TheCconnects: Who has influenced you the most during this journey?
Maya P. Kumar:
Honestly, my biggest influences have been life itself and the women I’ve met along the way. Clients who trusted me with their insecurities, students who reminded me of the opportunities I once lacked, and my younger self who refused to give up.
I’ve also been deeply inspired by women who rebuilt their identities after marriage or motherhood. Their quiet resilience pushed me to stay disciplined and focused, even on days when quitting felt easier.
TheCconnects: You’ve achieved recognition like the “Best Hair Stylist Hyderabad” award. What challenges did people not see behind that success?
Maya P. Kumar:
People often see awards but not the exhaustion behind them. I started without financial backing or a support system. There were days I handled clients, trained staff, studied late nights, and still managed my household.
Another challenge was breaking stereotypes. In beauty, many still underestimate education. I had to constantly prove that I wasn’t just a stylist-but a trained professional who understood chemistry, skin science, and aesthetics. I overcame that by letting results speak. When clients saw long-term improvements, trust followed naturally.
TheCconnects: What lessons has entrepreneurship taught you that no textbook could?
Maya P. Kumar:
That consistency beats talent. That honesty builds brands faster than marketing. And that learning never ends.
I’ve learned that leadership is not about control-it’s about responsibility. As a founder, your energy sets the tone for your entire team. I also learned to respect time, systems, and boundaries. Passion alone won’t sustain a business; discipline will.
TheCconnects: From your perspective, what’s the biggest challenge brands face in today’s digital-first beauty industry?
Maya P. Kumar:
Authenticity. Social media has created unrealistic expectations. Many brands focus on trends instead of truth. The real challenge is educating clients while competing with misinformation.
At Maaya’s, we focus on transparency. We explain what is possible and what isn’t. We don’t promise miracles. That honesty may slow short-term growth, but it builds long-term loyalty-and that’s priceless.
TheCconnects: How does Maaya’s address real client pain points differently from others?
Maya P. Kumar:
We don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Every client goes through consultation, diagnosis, and personalized planning. Whether it’s hair loss, skin rejuvenation, or bridal care, we combine science with aesthetics.
Another key difference is education. We explain procedures, aftercare, and expectations clearly. Clients feel empowered, not dependent. That’s how trust is built-and trust is our biggest asset.
TheCconnects: You also run an academy. Why was education such an important extension of your brand?
Maya P. Kumar:
Because I know how it feels to lack opportunities. Maaya’s Academy is my way of giving back. I want aspiring professionals to enter this industry with knowledge, ethics, and confidence-not shortcuts.
Training others also keeps me accountable. When you teach, you must stay updated. It pushes me to grow continuously.
TheCconnects: Outside work, how do you recharge yourself?
Maya P. Kumar:
Learning is my relaxation. I genuinely enjoy upgrading my skills. Beyond that, quiet moments, self-reflection, and spending time organizing my thoughts help me reset. I believe rest is not stopping-it’s preparing for the next level.
TheCconnects: Finally, what advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women?
Maya P. Kumar:
Start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for perfect conditions-they never come. Invest in education, stay ethical, and respect your craft.
Build skills before scaling, and trust before profit. Most importantly, don’t let society define your timeline. Growth has no age, no gender, and no expiry date.
TheCconnects: Thank you, Maya. Your journey is not just inspiring-it’s deeply grounding.
Maya P. Kumar:
Thank you. If my story helps even one person believe in themselves, it’s worth sharing.
