A celebrity favourite wellness destination, Myrah Spa has been the go-to spot for a much-needed dose of rejuvenation and pampering for over 15 years. With two successful outlets in Mumbai, Juhu and Marine Drive respectively, Myrah Spa is all set to venture into the holistic skincare and beauty industry with the launch of its newest outpost in Santacruz. We sat down with Nisha Javeri, Founder of Myrah Spa, to find out more about her vision for the brand and how it has evolved over the years.
When and how did you start Myrah Spa and how has the journey been for you so far?
Nisha Javeri: We opened the first outlet of Myrah Spa in 2008 in Juhu. In the past, I didn’t really have any desire to be an entrepreneur or work. My son was really young. I was a stay home mom and I was happy. When he started going to school, I started thinking about the things that came naturally to me. I’ve always been healthy into fitness and beauty. I’ve always loved going to spas, getting beauty treatments done, and I’ve been practising my beauty rituals since the age of 18. So, I thought why not turn this interest into a business? And I just dived into it without any experience or investor. It’s been quite a journey because what started as just a pet project—something just something to keep me busy—has given me so much more in terms of growth and hands-on experience. Now I can say that I’m an entrepreneur, opening my third branch after 15 years.
You’ve been in the luxury wellness space for 15 years and now you’re entering the holistic beauty and aesthetics industry. What inspired you to expand in this direction?
Nisha Javeri: What changed the course of the journey was Covid. I was very happy with the whole spa concept. I was in my comfort zone and I was okay there. And then when Covid happened, suddenly we had to shut down. So, I started thinking about things that are more of a necessity than a luxury and I realised that salons were definitely the former. With dermatology, the thought process was a little bit different. When you talk to people around you or your customers, you realise that people want instant gratification. As you get older, you want quick fixes—you still want to look and feel good and hold onto whatever you can aesthetically. If you look good, feel confident, are happy with what you see, you’re automatically in a better mood and can give more to others. So, that’s how I decided to include these aspects and expand Myrah Spa into Myrah Spa Salon and Aesthetic Dermatology.
Tell us about the launch of the new location of Myrah.
Nisha Javeri: It’s a beautiful row house in Santacruz. We have the salon on the ground floor, the spa on the first floor, and the aesthetic dermatology clinic on the second floor. So, you have a complete wellness experience under one roof.
What are some achievements or milestones you look back at fondly from your journey so far?
Nisha Javeri: The first time I got an award was a milestone for me, because it was a way of finding out that I was doing something right. The second milestone is when we opened the second branch in Marine Drive in 2016. And this would be the third. It’s a big one because it’s a big leap and is totally out of my comfort zone.
There are many skin clinics in the city. What sets you apart?
Nisha Javeri: There are a lot of skin clinics offering many treatments, but we’ve decided to go with only FDA approved and patented equipment. So we have a basket of few treatments, but we want to offer the best ones that are safe and have been proven to give you the right results. We think that’s one of our USPs.
What about the spa? What would you say is your strength in that department?
Nisha Javeri: I’ll tell you exactly what our clients say. Many of them tell us that they’ve never had a massage like the ones at Myrah Spa because the therapist is actually trained with the technique of the treatment and isn’t just rubbing oil onto you. At Myrah, we have standard operating procedures for all our treatments, so every treatment has a USP of its own. When you come in, there is an in-depth consultation. We need to understand what your lifestyle and pressure preferences are. We need to understand whether you want an active massage or a passive massage. We’re also always told that our spas are super clean and hygienic and our therapists are well groomed. I’m very particular about the little things and that’s what makes the whole Myrah experience so special.
How has your vision evolved over the years?
Nisha Javeri: There’s been constant training and upgrading throughout. Before opening the Santacruz branch, we revisited all our SOPs and tweaked things and retrained everybody. We are constantly changing by adding and subtracting things. Even when it comes to the decor, the new location is nothing like the Juhu Spa or the Marine Drive Spa. Like as a person you evolve with time, a brand also evolves with time. I remember when I opened the first spa, I wanted it to scream luxury. When I opened this second branch, I thought that was too loud, and went with a more modern approach. Now, I’m going back to basics. I want everything to be pure and organic. I don’t want to waste things. I like to use things that are sustainable and organic.
What would you say is your wellness mantra?
Nisha Javeri: Discipline and consistency.
