Blossoming Business

So it comes as no surprise that the high priestess of the beauty care world is launching her own range of aromatherapy oils and cosmetics today under the brand name "" Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic. A devoted naturalist, Kochhar has researched and practised aromatherapy and herbalism for over two decades. That research has thrown up nearly 50 products which have been test-marketed and are now ready to enter exclusive outlets in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Madras and Bangalore.

Kochhar has invested a little over a crore, and is hoping to break even in the first two years of operation. She is hardly new to the exigencies of big business. The authoress of several books on health, beauty and grooming, Kochhar runs a big chain of hair and beauty education institutions, Pivot Point.

But one of her best students so far is daughter Samantha who did mama proud by being adjudged the youngest international whizkid on hair by a panel of global hair stylists. Mother and daughter now work together with a ten-member team of chemists in their factory-cum-laboratory in Okhla to bring out the Aroma range of cosmetics, bath and "mood oils." A small vial of Body Temple priced at Rs 150 claims to "promote clarity in thought," while expensive drops of Heady are supposed to reduce stress.

Kochhar is dead earnest about the powers of aromatherapy. She recently waxed eloquent on the subject before the learned Chicago-based American Association of Physicians. And even won some converts.