She'll dye for you

Armed with grit, determination and excellent skills, Diana Lama has a true 'rags to riches' saga. Her clients call her the 'Hair Doctor' and she is one of the most sought-after Hair and Makeover Experts in town

From navigating the slums of Mumbai to a technical manager at Wella, a leading German hair cosmetics company, a technical director at a reputed hairstyling academy in India to being a hairdresser in Dubai, and then moving on to become the Founder and Managing Director of her own makeover studio, Diana Lama's journey is truly an inspiration to all.

As a single mother, her story begins with the love for her son, who has special needs, which motivates her daily. To provide a secure lifestyle for him, Diana had no qualms stepping down from a well-respected position, to a hairdresser, as she saw a very clear path mapped out by her desire to provide the best for her son.

In 2005, Diana packed her bags and landed in Dubai on her own, looking for a job as a hairdresser. She soon received one at the Burj Al Arab where she attended to the top socialites and Royal families, the cream of the crop of Dubai. As she moved up the ladder there, she gained experience on how to launch and manage a business, creating the foundation for her now nine-year-old studio, Diana Beauty Castle - Makeover Studio.

During the studio's humble beginnings, it was just Diana and one receptionist. Slowly but surely, she pioneered her concept of makeovers in Dubai. Using her previous technical experience, she researched and developed her own line of combination treatments to give a second life to her clients' hair. Essentially, Diana performs hair repair sessions several times a week. Today, customers from around the world trust Diana to transform their hair. This is how Diana earned the name 'Hair Doctor'. Diana Beauty Castle has grown to what it is through word of mouth. Her clientele includes members of Royal families, Executives of international corporations, top medical professionals and highflying socialites in the UAE and those coming in from abroad just for her transformative treatments.

To Diana and her staff, the health of the hair is their top priority. The studio refuses to perform services on clients that will damage the scalp and the hair shaft. Building trust and expertise among clients is key to Diana Beauty Castle's business's growth and this shows as her clients today trust her products and services so much that they don't mind paying for their treatment well in advance to secure an appointment. Diana plans to open more branches and has also been offered franchise deals.

An amazing fact about Diana's staff is that none of them are hired as professional hairdressers. She brings underprivileged women on board, supports, trains and shares her trade secrets with them. "My senior stylist was only a masseuse and manicurist when I hired her. After a few years of training she has blossomed into the professional she is now and because of this, she has a bright future ahead of her," says Diana. In the future, she hopes to eventually open a charity hair and beauty academy for underprivileged women.

At the end of the day, it is all about a mother's love for her child. Diana's endeavour to provide for her son has been fulfilled after he moved to Dubai to live with her. The comfortable life she dreamed for him has come true, because of her vision, focus and determination. "My son is my motivation and inspiration. All this is to provide a better quality of life for him. Today,

I am very happy that I have achieved my dream," she smiles.

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• SHE