Vandana Luthra: A Guide to Her Life and Career

Vandana Luthra is an Indian entrepreneur and also the founder of VLCC Health Care Limited, a beauty and wellness conglomerate representing in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. She was also appointed the first chairperson of the Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council in 2014, an initiative that provides training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana scheme.

 VANDANA LUTHRA Personal life

Vandana Luthra was born in New Delhi in 1959. She grew up in an educated family, her father was a mechanical engineer and her mother was an ayurvedic doctor who was running a charitable Trust – Amar Jyoti. This encouraged her to put a great impact on people’s lives. After finishing her graduation from the Polytechnic for Women in New Delhi she went to Europe and many other places to obtain expertise in beauty, nutrition and skin care. She tied knot with Mukesh Luthra in 1988. In the early days, Vandana just wanted to promote health and fitness in India, but it was her passion to give attractive hairstyles to people and the experimentation with all the facials on her mother’s face which further led to such a revolution in the health and beauty industry.

VANDANA LUTHRA Professional life

Vandana started VLCC in 1989, as a beauty and wellness service centre in Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi that focused on modifying dietary and conduct regimen-based weight management sessions. Now VLCC has become famous both nationally and internationally. 

She once said that when she started her business back in the 1980s, rarely any women entrepreneurs were found. The environment was highly sceptical of women entrepreneurs and she has also faced criticism. However, she believed that her concept was unique and was being introduced in India for the first time. Luthra also gives much credit to her husband who supported her. He offered to support her financially, however, she was determined to make the dream come true on her own efforts. That led her to book her the place for her first outlet after she availed a Bank loan. Within a month of the establishment of her first outlet, she was attracting a number of customers and celebrities living in the vicinity. The customers were extremely satisfied with the service she was offering. She wanted her brand to be clinical and not about glamour. Today her dream and vision have impacted people across the globe. According to a report, half of her top clients are from international centres. She continues to travel across the world to understand their needs and wants regarding wellness. According to a report, VLCC’s estimated annual revenue is $91.1 million. Once she reached her destination she decided never to look back.

VANDANA LUTHRA Philanthropy

Vandana Luthra is also running a charity that provides scholarships to underprivileged and physically challenged people. She is the Vice Chairperson of the NGO called Khushii. This NGO is working on different projects like vocational training facility, providing education with midday meal facility to over 3,000 children. She is also a member of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Sub-Committee formed by India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

VANDANA LUTHRA Awards and Recognitions

Luthra has received a host of awards for excellence and entrepreneurship over the years including the Padma Shri (India’s fourth highest civilian honour) in 2013 for her contribution to trade and industry. Other awards include:

• The Asian Business Leaders Forum Trailblazer Award in 2012
• In 2010, The Enterprise Asia Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• Luthra was ranked 26th in the distinguished annual Forbes Asia 2016 list of 50 Power Businesswomen in the APAC region.
• From 2011 to 2015 she has featured in Fortune magazine’s annual listing of the ‘50 Most Powerful Women in Business in India’ for five years in a row.

VANDANA LUTHRA Publications

Vandana Luthra has published two books on wellness and fitness.

• In 2011, she published a complete fitness program.
• In 2013, Luthra wrote books called A Good Life.

VANDANA LUTHRA Quotations

“We are currently in a ‘wait and watch’ mode, and are looking at a window 18-24 months down the road”.

“Set your goals and work towards them. There is no stopping anyone from reaching the pinnacle of success if there were firm commitment and dedication”.

“Just decide who you are going to be and pursue your dreams against all odds”.