Vaishnavi Parlour

I have been running Vaishnavi Parlour in Shaniwar Peth for a long time now. We are located right opposite Devtot Sos, which is a big help because many of our regulars live right there. Shaniwar Peth is one of the oldest parts of Pune, so the lanes are quite narrow and there is always something happening outside. My shop is small and simple, but it has everything I need to work. I mostly handle things by myself, though my cousin stops by to help if there is a wedding or a big festival. We do a lot of hair styling and basic beauty work for the local ladies. It feels more like a place for a chat than just a business sometimes. We talk about our kids and what’s happening in the neighborhood while I work. The shop gets a lot of sunlight in the afternoon, which makes it quite warm, so the fan has to stay on all the time. I haven't changed the decor much over the years because people like it the way it is. They aren't looking for anything fancy or modern, just a reliable place they know. I keep my tools clean and organized on a small wooden trolley. It’s a quiet life and I like being my own boss. I usually open up in the morning after finishing my own chores at home. It’s a very local, friendly spot for the women in Shaniwar Peth.