The food and beauty industries play an essential role in everyday life, providing people with both nourishment and self-care. Restaurants introduce new flavors, refine traditional cuisines, and create dining experiences that go beyond just a meal. In the beauty sector, salons and spas offer services that enhance confidence and well-being, catering to personal style and relaxation. Both industries are shaped by creativity, quality, and customer experience, with businesses constantly adapting to new trends, technologies, and consumer expectations. As competition grows, success depends on finding the right balance between tradition and innovation, ensuring that customers receive both familiarity and something fresh to look forward to.
Sakshi Nath has built a strong presence in both the food and beauty industries, creating businesses that emphasize quality, innovation, and customer experience. With a background in science and a master’s degree in fashion design, she brings a unique perspective to every venture she undertakes. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when she co-founded African Fish in Lagos, Nigeria, alongside her husband, Bhupender Nath. This early business experience helped shape her understanding of market demands, operations, and the importance of delivering exceptional products and services.
In 2013, she moved to Dubai, where she played a key role in launching Trèsind, a restaurant known for its modern approach to Indian cuisine. This marked her entry into the city’s competitive culinary scene, where she helped redefine fine dining by blending traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. Recognizing another opportunity in the beauty sector, she later established Queens Beauty Lounge, a spa and salon offering a wide range of services designed to make self-care accessible and enjoyable.
Throughout her career, Sakshi has demonstrated a keen ability to identify gaps in the market and create solutions that resonate with consumers. Whether in food or beauty, her focus has always been on crafting experiences that combine creativity with high standards.
In this interview, Sakshi Nath shares her journey as an entrepreneur in the food and beauty industries, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities she has encountered along the way. She discusses her approach to building successful businesses, the importance of innovation in highly competitive markets, and how she balances creativity with customer expectations. From launching a modern dining experience to redefining beauty services, she offers insights into what it takes to thrive in these evolving industries.
The inspiration behind her journey in food and beauty
Passion and purpose often drive successful ventures, and for Sakshi Nath, both the food and beauty industries offered a way to create meaningful experiences. Her journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by a desire to bring something unique to these spaces, blending creativity with a deep understanding of what people seek in dining and self-care. Reflecting on what led her to these industries, she shares:
“I’ve always been passionate about curating experiences that leave a lasting impact whether through food or self-care. With Trèsind, it was my husband’s dream to open an Indian restaurant in Dubai and to redefine Indian fine dining, elevating it into an immersive culinary journey.
Similarly, Queens Beauty Lounge was born from the desire to create a space where women could indulge in self-care and empowerment. Both ventures are deeply personal to me and they reflect my belief in elevating everyday experiences into something extraordinary.”
Overcoming challenges in launching Trèsind and Queens Beauty Lounge
For Sakshi Nath, launching Trèsind and Queens Beauty Lounge meant navigating different hurdles—changing perceptions in fine dining and standing out in a competitive beauty industry.
“Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its own challenges whether it’s establishing a brand identity, ensuring consistency in quality or navigating market shifts. When launching Trèsind, the biggest challenge was changing perceptions of Indian cuisine and introducing a more progressive fine dining experience. With Queens Beauty Lounge, it was about standing out in a competitive beauty market and building a loyal clientele. The key to overcoming these challenges was persistence, staying adaptable and continuously refining the experience we offer.” Sakshi shared with us when talking about how building and growing a business comes with its share of challenges, from establishing a strong brand identity to meeting evolving customer expectations.
Balancing two successful businesses while staying true to your vision
Managing multiple successful ventures requires focus, purpose, and a strong support system. For Sakshi Nath, balancing the demands of running Trèsind and Queens Beauty Lounge while staying aligned with her vision comes down to effective team collaboration and time management. She shares her approach:
“It’s about having a clear purpose and a strong team. I surround myself with passionate individuals who believe in the brand’s values, which allows me to focus on strategic growth while ensuring that every detail aligns with our vision. Time management is crucial, I dedicate time very wisely while also making space for personal growth and creativity.”
Research supports the importance of a clear purpose, strong teams, and effective time management in driving business success. Companies with a defined sense of purpose tend to outperform competitors, fostering employee satisfaction and brand loyalty. High-performing teams, aligned with the leader’s vision, enhance productivity and innovation. Additionally, time management plays a crucial role in helping entrepreneurs balance business demands while fostering personal growth and creativity. These factors together contribute to long-term success and strategic growth.
Defining and measuring success in business
For Sakshi, Success is defined by impact rather than just financial metrics. It’s about creating brands that leave a lasting impression and foster meaningful connections with customers.
“For me, success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about impact. It’s about creating a brand that resonates with people, an experience that keeps them coming back. Seeing customers truly connect with what we’ve built, whether it’s someone having an unforgettable meal at our restaurant or a woman walking out of Queens Beauty Lounge feeling confident, those moments define success for me.”
Handling setbacks and the lessons learned from failures
Success can mean different things to different entrepreneurs. For Sakshi Nath, it goes beyond traditional metrics like revenue and growth, focusing instead on the impact her businesses have on their customers. She explains how she measures success and what it truly means to her:
“Setbacks are inevitable but I see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Challenges push you to innovate and find better solutions. Whether it’s adapting to market trends, refining service standards or pivoting strategies, every obstacle has shaped me as an entrepreneur. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay resilient and trust the process.”
Advice for women aspiring to start their own business
“Believe in yourself and your vision.” Those were Sakshi’s words when we asked her where the key to entrepreneurship really lies and she followed saying:
“Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but if you have a strong purpose and the willingness to put in the work, you will find a way to succeed. Surround yourself with a supportive network, learn to adapt, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Most importantly, stay authentic; your unique perspective is your greatest strength!”
Her advice for women aspiring to start their own business is simple but powerful, it emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and surrounding oneself with a strong support system.
What’s next: New projects and goals on the horizon
As Sakshi Nath looks to the future, her journey continues to evolve with new opportunities for growth and innovation. She shares her excitement about upcoming projects and goals:
“The journey is always evolving! For Trèsind, we’re constantly exploring new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of fine dining. With Queens Beauty Lounge, we’re focusing on expanding our services and enhancing client experience. There are also some exciting projects in the works that align with my passion for wellness and beauty—so stay tuned!”
Sakshi Nath’s entrepreneurial journey in the food and beauty industries is a powerful example of how passion, resilience, and a clear vision can drive meaningful success. From her early days co-founding African Fish in Lagos to redefining Indian fine dining with Trèsind and creating a transformative space for self-care at Queens Beauty Lounge, she has consistently worked to elevate everyday experiences into something extraordinary.
Her story is one of continuous growth and innovation, where the focus is not solely on financial success but on creating lasting connections with customers. Sakshi’s dedication to staying true to her values while overcoming challenges,whether in the form of changing perceptions in the food industry or standing out in a competitive beauty market, demonstrates her unique commitment to her craft.
Through her businesses, she has built brands that resonate with people, offering unforgettable experiences that keep customers coming back. Sakshi’s belief in the importance of authenticity, a strong support network, and resilience in the face of setbacks is a valuable lesson for any aspiring entrepreneur. With exciting new projects and goals on the horizon, Sakshi Nath’s journey is far from over. As she continues to innovate and expand, she will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the food and beauty industries, inspiring others to follow their dreams and make their mark on the world.
