Lisha's Cosmetics and Sparkles showroom: one sparkling gem on Panaji's street

Step into Lisha's Cosmetics and Sparkles showroom on the 18th June Road in Panaji and get mesmerised by the varieties of skin care lotions, cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants, make-up kits and imported chocolates. The innumerable range of products makes it difficult to settle on a choice as one wants to have everything that's displayed. The store that was earlier situated on the same road in Padmavati Tower had remained a popular destination for a decade for those who wished to buy only genuine products.
"Being in the same vicinity helps and so we shifted our store on the roadside just opposite to our earlier one. We decided to change the venue to a bigger space where we have the privilege of offering counters to companies like Revlon, Maybelline, Colorbar and Nelf which have their own set of clientele," says 52-year-old Ajay Patil who, apart from the cosmetic store, Lisha's also owns a crockery store - Lisha's Homeware in Panaji.
"Here we have exclusive, personalised imported crystal ware, dinner sets, crockery, cutlery and gift articles for special occasions ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 30,000," briefs Ajay who started his first store in partnership with his friend in 2000. It was in 2007 that he started Lisha's Cosmetics and Sparkles in a rented premises at Padmavati Towers and in 2010 he started Lisha's Homeware in St Inez - both these stores have earned a reputation within a short while.
Lisha's has a range of cosmetics from prestigious national and international companies like Revlon,Lakmé, Maybelline, Colorbar, Nelf, Olay, L'Oréal, Nivea, Gillette, Himalaya and natural range of herbal toiletries products too, from Lotus, VLCC, Biotique, Nature's, Johnsons and Neutrogena. They have perfumes of reputed brands including Davidoff, Chanel, Azzaro, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Dior, Versace, Carolina Herrera and Bvlgari.
"We also have deodorants like Park Avenue, Jaguar, United Colours of Benetton, Guess, Fogg, Brut, Rasasi, Denver, Wild Stone and Nivea," adds Ajay. The price range in deodorants at Lisha's is Rs 200-1500 and in perfumes is Rs 400-15,000. The beauty advisors of these companies assist the customers in choosing products and offer beauty tips too for free.
An MSc in Chemistry, Ajay hails from a family that is into catering business in Mumbai. He felt the need to shift focus to other businesses fearing a saturation point if all the members in the family stuck to the same business. "Hence I experimented in other avenues, first in Mumbai and then in Goa," shares Ajay who dared to shift his business to Goa, though his immediate family base remained in Mumbai. Ajay's wife Rupa Patil, a professor is working in Mumbai while their only daughter Sanjana is studying MS in the US. Ajay's business needs a lot of travelling and he is happy to be a traveller as he keeps visiting them regularly in Mumbai and
America."
A known figure in Goa Ajay enjoys a good customer base as Lisha's offers a wide range of choices and procures things that are hard to find, making their customers happy. If something is out of stock or not displayed on our shelves at that moment, but the customer asks for, we try to arrange it, for them. That's why we have a happy, satisfied set of customers who regularly visit both our stores," boasts Ajay who knows the nuances of the business. Starting the business with a seed capital of Rs 2 lakh, the turnover at Lisha's is now Rs 2 crore. What made this possible is Ajay's dedication, commitment and the transparency in his business.
Gradually expanding the business to newer heights, Lisha's is now venturing into chocolates and foodstuff too, especially imported. "There is a demand in the market and we are trying to cater to it on a big scale," briefs Ajay who recalls a successful launch of a spice in Mumbai.
Dreaming big, Lisha's has chalked out growth plans and expansions. "We wish to be number one in the Goan market and our rapport with our clientele and their trust in us will help us in reaching to the top position," concludes Ajay.