Leaders

In an industry where beauty never comes without a price tag, the need for user-friendly and high-quality wellness care have become a pressing issue to match the standard of living. In the world of wellness and aesthetics, Dr Siromani is redefining what it means to heal, inside and out, by amalgamating empathy with expertise.

As the founder of Vayastyag, Dr Siromani’s journey represents the canvas of courage from being a small-town girl from Andhra Pradesh with aspiration in her eyes, to becoming one of the most celebrated names in South India’s aesthetic wellness and holistic care industry.

What began as an ambition to become a doctor has bloomed into an entrepreneurial pursuit that is altering industry dynamics. Early years carved by persistence, Dr Siromani emerged as a gold medalist from Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, cracking the whip for leading a purposedriven career. Joining a wellness clinic in Hyderabad 17 years back, her professional journey took its first leap with little prior exposure to the domain.

Armed with over 17 years of experience, Dr Siromani became a one-woman force in the wellness ecosystem from hosting educational shows on television to mastering clinical practice, managing operations and sales.  

In due course, she started Vayastyag, a people-first wellness clinic, in a modest room during the pandemic with a realisation by a desperate friend’s request and a ₹30,000 commitment. Running with a tagline ‘Rupam Gunam iti Vayastyag Subhang karanam’, the clinic has achieved 500+ clientele in just a span of four years without any external funding. Today, the clinic stands as a comprehensive center, built on the principle of value for money.

In an exclusive conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Dr Siromani shares how she transformed a simple vision into a powerful platform that is quietly revamping India’s wellness space.

What inspired your education and career in healthcare and what key moments shaped your journey?

Since childhood, I was inspired by stories of people who succeeded, which sparked my passion for the medical field. Born and raised in a small town of Andhra Predesh, I was studious from a young age. I opted for Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from Dr NTR University of Health Sciences and Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Cosmetology (PGDCC). I worked hard and eventually graduated, earning a gold medal.

The first turning point came when I joined a wellness clinic in Hyderabad as a consultant. My continued success led to my appointment as Regional Head, my second major milestone. Today, I’m proud to be recognized among the top professionals in aesthetic and wellness domain in twin cities.

The third and most significant milestone was establishing Vayastyag Clinic, a monumental step in realizing my vision for holistic wellness.  

Tell us about your journey and expertise as an aesthetic physician.

I took a bold step by entering the aesthetic and wellness industry around 15–20 years ago, a time when it was still an unfamiliar and largely unexplored territory. Many people including my family thought it was merely a beauty saloon. Thanks to the wellness market for its reach to every home now. From the beginning, I always made sure to develop expertise in several areas essential for building a successful clinic i.e., marketing and sales strategies, operations and administration, recruitment and team building, service execution, and leadership. 

Over the years, I’ve made significant contributions to this industry. Notably, I was among one of the leading TV presenters creating awareness about wellness and aesthetics. I hosted several popular regional shows, offering insights and educating audiences through both live and recorded programs.

What is the vision behind Vayastyag and what are its core areas of focus?

Over the past 15-16 years of working in this industry, I’ve realized that aesthetics and wellness services are often expensive and beyond reach for many.

This led to the creation of Vayastyag Clinic, founded on the principle of value for money. Our tagline, “Rupam Gunam iti Vayastyag Subhang Karanam”, reflects our  holistic approach to wellness.

What sets Vayastyag apart from commercial clinics is our commitment to serving everyone, regardless of their financial background. Our expert team includes a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, dietician, physiotherapist, wellness expert, and trained staff.

What led to you founding Vayastyag? How has the clinic’s growth been since inception?  

When we go back four years, we had no concrete plan to start a clinic.

It all began during the pandemic. A friend of mine visited me and spoke about experiencing severe hair fall. With clinics shut down at the time, he was desperate for help. He handed me ₹30,000 in cash and said, “Start the treatment at home, I trust you”. We used that money to purchase the necessary supplies and began treatment in a small room in our town. That was the birth of Vayastyag.

In the span of four years, we’ve achieved 500+ clientele. Within a year and a half, we reached over 100 clients, just from that small room. Throughout this journey, we’ve grown entirely without external investment. From day one, we haven’t invested a single rupee from our personal funds.

I also want to acknowledge the support of my husband, Sreedhar, who works as the CFO. Despite his demanding schedule, he has always supported me. 

How do you see Indian healthcare evolving and how do you stay aligned with emerging trends?

It's about taking the risk or losing the chance. Without risk, there’s no growth in business. Sometimes we experience success, and other times, loss, but we must never lose focus or confidence in ourselves.

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, it's crucial to stay ahead by sharpening our skills, implementing innovative strategies, and effectively harnessing technology. We need to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t, and adjust our focus accordingly.

What guiding philosophy has shaped your leadership and success?

From childhood to today, I’ve faced many challenges and difficulties. Establishing Vayastyag and running this show has also been a herculean task. It’s not easy for a woman to be an entrepreneur, to manage multiple responsibilities, and coordinate with everyone and keeping everyone happy.

My personal philosophy is to be optimistic and simple. Meet, greet and smile, and serve them to make them feel their best. Despite countless challenges, it’s crucial to stay focused and positive.

For me, success is not a choice, it is the only option. That’s my mantra.

So always Bhag, Daud but don’t stand still. 

Dr Siromani K, Founder, Vayastyag

Dr K L Siromani is a Doctor who has turned into a Wellness Entrepreneur and works with a motto to offer patients an exceptional care of Integrated services in Skin and Hair, Wellness and Health in her clinic. Being a native of Andhra, she now rules the wellness industry of South India.

Awards won
• Dr Bhakru Gold Medal, Best Employee, Best TV Presenter, Best Orator, Best Manager, Best Doctor 

Core Areas of Expertise
•Core areas include delivering client  satisfaction, sales & marketing, Business  administration and strategy planning and providing treatments. 

Business Role Model
• My business role model - Vandana Luthra