VLCC founder Vandana Luthra posed for the t2 camera at ITC Sonar. Picture: Rashbehari Das

Vandana Luthra wanted to become economically independent. She founded VLCC some 25 years ago because she believes that a woman can only attain empowerment if she starts earning money. During her recent visit to one of her fave places, Calcutta, the lady from Delhi put her feet up in her room in ITC Sonar for a whirlwind chat with t2.

VLCC has completed 25 years. Share with us one high point and one low point on this journey.

It is the passion, determination, love, sharing and caring. That’s what I saw in VLCC! (Smiles) Both good things and bad things happen but I look at everything positively. We have created a happy brand so I am a happy person! (Smiles) The high point is the passion of all the employees that has driven the company. My happiest moment was when my first daughter was born. My second happy moment was when my second baby was born. And my third happy moment was when VLCC was born in 1989. From a little girl, I became a mature adult, then a girlfriend, then a wife, then a mother and then an entrepreneur. I got transformed completely because I went through different levels of maturity. There are ups and downs in a business, so I don’t get affected. I always look for other opportunities. The low point was when I lost my father. My father’s death was a huge loss as he helped me to start my business. I got more and more close to him as VLCC grew.

What were the challenges for a woman entrepreneur back then?

I was the first generation so that was a challenge. I didn’t have the money so that was a bigger challenge. I started something because I wanted to be independent. A woman never gets empowered till she earns. Women entrepreneurs are very less in number. We keep talking about women’s empowerment but it is still such a male-dominated society. The major problem is finance. Women don’t get the kind of loans they want so it is a big issue. I just happened to take a salon that had closed down. I had the technology, wisdom, training and confidence. Obesity was on the rise. Women had just started to work and they wanted to look good. Back then, it was more of slimming and weight loss. Now, people want to look good all the time.

The age bar for obesity has dipped these days...

Now kids are obese. The situation has become alarming because women have started working and their kids are watching television all day and ordering for pizza. People start coming to us from the age of 12. You have to educate them.

Is there a quick way to knock off weight?

Losing weight quickly is very unhealthy. Ideally one shouldn’t lose more than six kilos a month and that too with nutrition, therapy and treatment. Zero figure is nonsense and all these diets are rubbish. We do DNA-based diets. It tells you what kind of genes you have and what kind of body movements you require. Then the treatments are tailor-made according to the requirement of the body. You can modify your current lifestyle to have a better future incorporating yoga and physiotherapy.

[In their latest knowledge paper, VLCC’s R&D department states that being skinny doesn’t necessarily mean one is healthy. Even a normal BMI as a measure of good health may be a paradox.]

Who are the fittest in Bollywood?

Raveena Tandon is in her 40s yet she looks very good. Even Shilpa Shetty is in her late 30s. She plans to have another baby and she looks great. These days actresses put on weight and then lose weight frequently. In this process, they lose their charm. Shilpa and Raveena eat healthy. Rekha is gorgeous. I love everything about her. She is perfect. She is into yoga. She is a vegetarian. She dances for an hour everyday. Young actresses lead an unhealthy life. I think the young actors are very conscious about their health. Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh are so fit. I have seen them eating salads. Both look after themselves.

Who do girls and boys want to look like?

Girls want to become like actresses! Most of them want to look like Kareena Kapoor. (Smiles) Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh are very popular among guys.

How would you describe the Calcutta market?

My parents lived in Calcutta. My brother was born here. Then my father moved to Delhi. I used to come to the city for every holiday. I have a strong connection with Calcutta. It is an important part of my growing up. People here understand that they have to look good and if they don’t take care of themselves, they will suffer from medical ailments. But Calcuttans are big foodies! They love to eat. You can’t help it because the food is so delicious here but one can put little oil. People can automatically lose weight if they reduce 50 per cent of what they usually eat.... We will launch our third centre at Kasba in mid-January.

Who are the entrepreneurs who have inspired you?

Shikha Sharma and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw are women of substance. Í like Azim Premji’s manner of giving back to the society, and Ratan Tata for what he has done in his life inspires me.

her Fitness secrets

Have two fruits every day

Have food not rich in carbohydrates

Reduce the intake of sugar and salt

Drink adequate water

Go up and down the stairs 50 times a day if you have less time for exercise

Drink a glass of milk at night. It gives a tranquillising effect

Have four almonds and one walnut every day

Ratnalekha Mazumdar