Kamala Shrestha: Shaping Nepal’s Beauty Industry and Empowering Women

Kamala Shrestha says she never imagined that her passion for makeup would evolve into a pioneering career, let alone that she would lead Nepal’s beauty industry. Four decades ago, when cosmetology was not recognised as a legitimate profession in Nepal, she travelled to Thailand — a country far ahead in this field — to acquire formal training. The skills she gained there not only enabled her to establish Nepal’s beauty profession but also inspired thousands of others to pursue careers in the field.

Returning to Nepal, Shrestha faced a landscape where beauty business was neither systematised nor widely accepted. Opportunities were limited, and the environment for women entrepreneurs was particularly challenging. Undeterred, she turned her passion into action.

By founding Saim Beauty Salon & Barber Shop, she introduced professional service ethics, technical expertise, and modern hygiene standards. Over time, Saim became more than just a salon — a symbol of trust, quality, and professionalism.

Shrestha’s vision went beyond service delivery. In 1992, she established Nepal’s first beauty training institute, Saim Institute of Hair Design & Beauty Care, where thousands of women acquired technical skills, confidence, and the ability to stand independently.

Her ambitions did not stop there. After nearly a decade of persistent effort, policy dialogue, and collaboration with the government, she succeeded in introducing a beauty-related subject as an optional course for grades 9 to 12. This was more than adding a subject — it was a landmark step in recognising skill-based education as a formal academic pursuit. For the first time, the beauty profession in Nepal gained official educational recognition.

Beyond her personal achievements, Shrestha sought to institutionalise the industry. She founded the Beautician Professional Association of Nepal and served as its founding president, uniting beauty professionals nationwide under a single platform to promote standards, ethics, and solidarity.

She also served three terms on the central committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), securing industry recognition for the sector and elevating the voices of women professionals to the policy-making level.

Shrestha’s expertise and leadership earned her representation on national and international platforms, making her a leading advocate for Nepal’s beauty industry. In recognition of her contribution, the Government of Nepal awarded her the Prabal Janasewa Shree (Fourth) Medal.

Her story is not merely about makeup, hairstyles, or salons — it is about courage, vision, and social transformation. It is the journey of empowering thousands of women to achieve self-reliance. The path she began in Thailand four decades ago now forms the backbone of Nepal’s beauty industry.

For her lifelong contribution to women’s entrepreneurship, Kamala Shrestha was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NewBiz Business Women Summit & Awards 2026.