Sushma Mahara is a well-known name in Nepal’s beauty industry, recognized as a senior beautician. With 26 years of experience in the field of beauty, she has significantly contributed to empowering women and creating employment opportunities. Seventeen years ago, she established a unisex beauty parlor called Facial House, which now operates branches in various cities across Nepal. Besides being the Secretary of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kathmandu, she is also the Vice-President of Corporate Media House and a lifetime member of the Nepal Beauticians’ Association. Mahara states that her goal is not just to earn money through her business but to make every daughter in Nepal self-reliant.
As Facial House completes 16 years and steps into its 17th year, we had a brief conversation with its Managing Director, senior beautician Sushma Mahara. Here are the highlights of our interview:
How did Facial House come into existence?
Around 26 years ago, I entered this profession out of passion. As I delved deeper, I realized that it also offered employment opportunities to many women. This inspired me to start Facial House.
Can you tell us about the services offered by Facial House?
Facial House has been at the forefront of introducing innovative beauty technologies to Nepal, consistently enhancing service quality. It offers a wide range of services, including hair, beauty, and skincare treatments, along with modern trends like artificial eyelash extensions and dreadlocks. Facial House also provides facial treatments using products from Hong Kong and employs advanced methods for treating pigmentation and dark spots.
Understanding the unique needs of Nepali skin and hair, we collaborate with companies from China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand to offer herbal beauty and hair cosmetic wholesale and retail services. We aim to manufacture herbal cosmetics in Nepal in the near future.
Facial House has received several awards, including the title of Nepal’s No. 1 Beauty Salon. However, we’ve noticed increasing instances of brand imitation. We want to caution our customers not to be misled by fake brands. Beyond beauty services, Facial House has diversified into Facial House Cosmetics, Facial House Beauty Academy, and Facial House Entertainment.
It seems you’ve faced significant struggles in this industry. Could you elaborate?
Every business in Nepal comes with its challenges, and the beauty industry is no exception. Moreover, society and even the government often view this profession negatively. To change this perception, I’ve had to fight tirelessly. It’s crucial for the state to adopt a progressive outlook toward this field, not just society. We’ve consistently raised these issues with the authorities.
At times, it seems like you get entangled in controversies and legal disputes. Why is that?
I haven’t been involved in legal disputes as you’ve mentioned. However, some time ago, a government employee who came to seek services from us made a deliberate attempt to target us in a planned manner. That matter has already been resolved. The court has even ruled in our favor.
What exactly happened?
On the afternoon of Ashar 27, 2080 (Nepali calendar), during office hours, Bandana Karn, a branch officer at the Department of Immigration, visited the Facial House outlet at KL Tower, Chabahil, for service. After receiving the service, she created a dispute when it was time to pay the service fee. She even threatened to shut down the Facial House and immediately called the police. The police took both parties to the Gaushala Police Office, where they facilitated a settlement and sent us on our way. However, she did not stop there. She misused her position and pressured the authorities to have me arrested by filing another complaint regarding a matter that had already been settled. She managed to register a new complaint and have an arrest warrant issued.
Following her actions, I filed a petition at the Patan High Court seeking justice. The High Court ruled in favor of Facial House, stating that there was insufficient evidence to support her accusations. Despite the court’s decision, she disregarded the ruling and filed another case at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, attempting to have me arrested again.
Upon reviewing the entire incident, it became clear that she used the store’s CCTV, installed for security purposes, as an excuse to defame and imprison me. This behavior was part of her effort to tarnish my reputation. Her actions not only targeted me but also highlighted the mindset of individuals in influential positions who should be promoting women entrepreneurs. Instead, she insulted beauticians by calling them “prostitutes,” exposing the discriminatory attitude of policymakers in our society.
The court gave me justice and proved that justice exists in Nepal. However, my fight is not just against her actions but also against such discriminatory mindsets. My fight is for the equality of women, especially for those who face systemic inequalities. In this fight, all of us beautician sisters are united.
Have people become envious because you earned well from your business?
Rather than focusing on earning well from my business, my goal has been to make every daughter of Nepal self-reliant. Whether they are in the country or abroad, I want them to stand on their own feet and confidently establish their own identity. I aspire for women not to be limited to this profession alone but to have their abilities properly recognized. Society should develop a perspective that respects their contributions. Regardless of the field women choose to work in, the state should ensure it becomes a means of self-reliance and empowerment for them.
Your Facial House has completed 16 years and entered its 17th year. Would you like to share your thoughts on this?
Through my life’s efforts, 26 years of hard work, and 16 years of dedication, we have reached this point today. My hope is that my efforts will establish an example of women’s empowerment in Nepal. My dream is not just about economic prosperity but also about initiating social change. The day women make a significant impact on society through their skills and dedication, my struggle will feel fulfilled.
As we celebrate the 17th anniversary, we move forward with even greater responsibility and a sense of duty. With the intention of achieving something within our own country rather than going abroad, we have been progressing steadily. Let us love our work, cherish our art and culture, and remain steadfast in the pursuit of truth. I urge everyone to think ten times before making false accusations against anyone. Let us not accuse anyone unjustly. I want to encourage everyone to move forward with the nation in their hearts.
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