Customers are very influenced and impressed with the results that Ayurveda provides. The Ayurveda industry is growing at a good rate and it derives its credibility from the legacy it holds. Though there are many brands in the Ayurveda industry, the ones that hold the tags of legacy are the best of them all. In a conversation with Abhilash Ramesh, Executive Director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group, for Indian Salon and Wellness Yearbook 2017, he tells us the huge legacy that is attached to Kairali, The growing Ayurveda market and his brand’s future plans.
Kindly give a brief about your brand, Kairali Ayurvedic Group.
Exemplifying a perfect example of heritage, thoroughbred and legacy, Kairali Ayurvedic Group was established on a solid ground of Ayurveda research. Since its inception, the brand has built on the achievements of its forefathers, developing its products infrastructure to make a diverse range of products available to a multinational audience. The group is headed by Gita Ramesh and K.V. Ramesh, hailing from a long lineage of traditional Ayurvedic doctors. The group feels it derives energy from blessings of renowned physicians, late Dr Sankunny Vaidiar (grandfather of K.V. Ramesh) and the Dr K.S. Vasudevan (father of K.V. Ramesh).
Let us know something about your entrepreneurial journey.
The journey of being an entrepreneur for me started 14 years ago when he joined his family business. He started as a sales head and visited various countries to spread the word about Ayurveda. With hard work and commitment, he has successfully expanded the idea of Kairali Ayurveda in countries like Germany, Japan among others and today the group witnessed a wide acceptance among people. Ayurveda has always been an inspiration and I wanted to take Ayurveda globally with time-tested and accepted methods of healing.
What are the brand’s vision and mission?
Kairali Ayurvedic Group is optimistic about being recognised around the globe as the essence of true Ayurveda. The group continues to advance the use of Ayurvedic practices around the world, establishing an international community of therapists, doctors, educators, hoteliers and retreat providers to give its clients the best wellbeing experience.
Kindly share some challenges that you might have faced at some point in your career.
During the entrepreneurial journey, I noticed various gaps and challenges like legal processes, specialised doctors and therapists, R&D team, quality control procedures and procurements of raw materials. The group is armed with innate vision, knowledge and the expertise of its forefathers started filling those gaps by hiring relevant people and training them to adopt the 5000-year-old methods and do a rigorous research to develop various processes of products and services. The group succeeded and today is a GMP certified company.
What is your observation regarding the Ayurveda Industry?
Today everyone is focussing on Ayurveda, herbal and organic products and few of the players are following the true research of Ayurveda. Today, Ayurveda is an $80 billion industry and it’s growing at 8-10% YOY. It is a booming business as people are now following the ayurvedic methods to the extreme level. Running an ayurvedic business is very easy but following the true nature of Ayurveda is challenging.
What are the brand’s business model and expansion plans?
Kairali Ayurvedic Group indulges in services- resorts and centres, product line- private labels. The group has reached great heights, as from three centres in 2003. It is now present in nine countries with 38 centres and three manufacturing factories. The group aspires to reach 100 centres by 2020, and wants to take the product business to 1000 stores and five resorts by 2020.
