Meet Madame Maharaj School of Cosmetology. A local brand that has a rich history dating back to 1957 when it was founded by Ramdoolarie Maharaj, who established the first hairdressing academy in Trinidad and Tobago. Today, the school is run by Aruna Maharaj, who continues to carry on the legacy of her family’s passion for beauty and education.
The brand name is rooted in the story of Aruna’s grandmother, who was the first woman in Trinidad to color her hair, making her a visionary and a trailblazer. Despite having beauty running in her veins, Aruna pursued a different path and earned a BA degree in Communications from the University of the West Indies. She worked at a steel plant in Health, Safety, Environment & Quality Management for a few years, gaining valuable experience. Eventually, she was presented with an opportunity to work for a local makeup brand in Hollywood, LA, but life threw her a curveball when she was denied entry into the US. During this time, Aruna learned to turn challenges into opportunities and focused her energy on the cosmetology school.
Today, Aruna manages the school full-time with the help of a supportive staff that allows her to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She has achieved many milestones over the years, including getting the diploma program internationally and regionally accredited as well as opening a second location in Woodbrook after over sixty years of being in San Fernando. Aruna also founded the Caribbean Beauty Awards (CBA), the first-ever non-profit awards ceremony for the beauty industry, which honours hardworking beauty professionals.
As an entrepreneur, Aruna has learned valuable lessons, such as the importance of painting the bigger picture and building authentic relationships. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay present in their startup and give their all to the situation at hand.
For Aruna, a brand is a chosen image that a company decides to give to its stakeholders and the world, while a business refers to the operations, functioning, and infrastructures of a company. She believes that Trinidad and Tobago’s local brand community is thriving, with many young entrepreneurs committed to building their businesses patiently and creatively.
Madame Maharaj School of Cosmetology is a brand that embodies the beauty and education legacy of the Maharaj family. Aruna’s passion for beauty and education, coupled with her commitment to innovation and community, has helped her continue her family’s legacy and establish the school as a leading institution in Trinidad and Tobago’s beauty industry.
Aruna also recently launched her latest venture, a podcast. Soul Beauty is a podcast and talk show by Aruna that seeks to inspire through simple conversation. Its goal is to redefine beauty as something from within that helps the outside shine brighter. This show is for anyone that seeks to live more mindfully as it helps bridge the gap between mind, body and soul.
