This Women’s Day, Samantha Kochharr, Skill Competition Manager at World Skills and Managing Director at Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic India takes us through her journey and learnings as a leader in the industry. In a candid conversation with Vidhi Arya, she shares about her challenges, learnings, and vision.
Stepping into a legacy brand is never just about continuing what already exists. It also means balancing heritage with the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. For Samantha Kochharr, this journey has been about respecting the past while continuously reshaping the future.
Stepping Into a Legacy
Growing up around the brand Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic, founded by her mother, Blossom Kochhar, Samantha stepped into leadership with both responsibility and perspective. Reflecting on that transition, she says, “It’s been more than a decade since I stepped in, but when you take on a legacy brand and a family business, it comes with its own challenges as well as its advantages. If I address the challenges, the market had changed 12–13 years ago and we needed to look more current and be more relevant.”
This meant rethinking everything from the brand’s identity to how it communicated with consumers. Samantha explains, “Now, the third generation has stepped in and we are dealing with the same process again. We’re revamping and moving into the next stage of how the brand needs to look. From logo changes to packaging changes to the overall look, feel, and the way we talk to our audience, we restructured the brand.”
However, the challenge of transformation was not only external but also internal.
“When you work with a legacy brand, you can’t start fresh. You don’t have a plain canvas. You already have something, and I wouldn’t call it baggage. Legacy is the best word. It is something you need to carry forward while still making it current. The real challenge is evolving the brand while also changing the mindset of people who have been working in the company for years.” says Samantha.
Shaping India’s Future Talent
Beyond business leadership, Samantha has also played a significant role in shaping the future of hairdressing talent through her work with IndiaSkills and WorldSkills. Here, she has closely witnessed the evolution of India’s talent pipeline.
She sees immense potential among young professionals. She elaborates, “India has a lot of potential. From being ranked number 36, we reached number 8 and number 6, but we still have not achieved that medal yet. The youngsters are hungry for knowledge and eager to learn.”
However, she believes the larger challenge lies within the country’s education structure. “We need to restructure our education system in India. We need to create masters, not just educate people. There are many large beauty schools, but when we enter competitions like WorldSkills, it is about precision, technique, and quality — not quantity.”
Another crucial learning during her tenure has been encouraging industry collaboration. “The biggest challenge as Chief Expert was helping the industry understand that the candidate going to the world stage is not ‘my candidate’ or ‘their candidate.’ That person represents our country and the entire industry.” While progress is being made, Samantha believes early education and training must evolve further to support young talent before they reach global competition levels.
Establishing Authority in a Global Arena
Working in international platforms like WorldSkills also brought its own set of challenges. As an Indian professional stepping into global leadership spaces, Samantha often found herself needing to prove her capabilities more strongly. She recalls, “It has always been difficult. It was not an easy trip to the top. You are an Indian moving into positions that have traditionally been dominated by professionals from different parts of the world.”
However, her years of international training and diverse professional exposure helped shape her authority in the field.
“I have been in hairdressing since I was 11 years old. I worked abroad, travelled extensively, and studied internationally for years. Also, I worked in the fashion industry, the movie industry, salons, and the commercial sector. And I was a competitor at one point.” Samantha adds.
These experiences created a strong foundation for her leadership journey. “So yes, it was tough and you had to work harder and prove yourself more, but it was not something that was impossible.”
Balancing Leadership and Learning
Over the years, Samantha has worn multiple hats: educator, industry expert, mentor, and business leader. Yet, she acknowledges that stepping into the role of Managing Director was the most demanding transition.
“Becoming Chief Expert, Deputy Chief Expert, and now Competition Manager has been challenging, but it is something I have been doing since I was young. But when I became the Managing Director for Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic, it was tougher because it was not a position I was officially trained for.”
To navigate this responsibility, she consciously invested in learning.
“As the years went by, I trained myself with various consultants and experts. That journey of learning while leading was much tougher.”
Beauty as Balance and Authenticity
For someone who has spent her life immersed in the beauty world, Samantha’s personal definition of beauty has also matured with experience. She explains, “When you spend your entire life in the beauty industry, your understanding of beauty evolves very naturally. After working with people from different cultures, industries, and age groups, I realised that beauty is much deeper.”
Today, she sees beauty through a holistic lens. According to Samantha, “Beauty is about wellness, balance, and confidence. Healthy skin and hair are not just about products or treatments; they reflect lifestyle, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and inner peace.”
Additionally, for her, authenticity lies at the heart of modern beauty. She believes, “When a person feels balanced and confident from within, it naturally reflects in their appearance. Beauty today is about helping people feel comfortable in their own skin and enhancing what is naturally theirs rather than creating something artificial.”
She also believes the industry itself is gradually moving in this direction. She says, “The industry is shifting towards wellness, sustainability, and mindful beauty, and I think that is a very positive change.”
A Message to Women in the Industry
Looking back at her journey, Samantha believes continuous growth is the most important mindset for anyone in leadership. She tells us, “One lesson that has stayed with me throughout my journey is that growth never stops. Whether you are running a business, mentoring talent, or learning a new skill, you have to keep evolving.”
She emphasises the importance of resilience, especially for women navigating leadership roles in global spaces. “There will always be challenges, especially when you are stepping into leadership roles where you may feel you have to prove yourself more. But if you stay committed to your work, keep upgrading your knowledge, and remain confident in your abilities, you will find your voice.”
Her message to aspiring women professionals in the beauty industry is clear.
“Believe in your expertise and keep working on it. Don’t be afraid to take up space, to lead, or to innovate. At the same time, remember that true leadership comes from collaboration and lifting others along the way. When women support each other and continue to grow professionally and personally, the entire industry moves forward.”
