The Forest Essentials Story: Pioneering Luxury Ayurveda in India

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Bedi, the Executive Director of Forest Essentials, to explore the incredible journey of transforming a small passion project into a global luxury Ayurveda brand. 

Sam shares his insights on everything from navigating early challenges to building a distinctive brand identity and setting up their manufacturing facilities. He discusses the significance of maintaining uncompromised quality, the evolution of retail strategies, and the importance of thoughtful store expansion. With 175 stores and plans to expand further, Sam reveals how patience, focus, and hard work have been the cornerstones of their growth. 

Tune in to hear about the company’s journey from its first store launch at Khan Market to its global aspirations, and learn valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a legacy brand.

Key topics covered: 

• Building a Brand from Scratch: How a small project started in a garage without a business plan turned into an iconic luxury brand.
• Strategic Growth & Store Expansion: Why patience and strategic planning are essential in-store rollouts and how Forest Essentials scaled to 175 stores while maintaining quality and profitability.
• Challenges of a Luxury Ayurveda Brand: Overcoming price sensitivity through product and retail experience to establish a new category in the Indian beauty market.
• The Importance of Product Differentiation: Sticking to uncompromised quality and unique formulations is crucial in a crowded beauty space.
• Navigating Retail Trends: The evolution of retail strategies from high streets to malls and back, and insights into selecting the right locations for store openings.
• Global Vision & Long-term Goals: Sam’s vision of positioning Forest Essentials as a global brand, rivalling international names like L’Occitane and The Body Shop.
• Key Advice for Founders: Patience, focus, and the role of hard work in building a long-lasting, impactful brand.

You can also watch the full episode on the DSGCP website.