There was a time when CK Kumaravel would perennially end up peeved after a visit to the local hair salon. “Those dingy little barber shops really irritated me with their service, and visiting a salon at a five-star hotel was clearly not an option,” says the 49-year-old who set up Naturals, a unisex salon in 2000. “Whatever irritates you is an opportunity. For me it led to the idea of opening an affordable and quality salon,” adds the managing director of Groom India Salon & Spa that owns Naturals. Catalysing the venture was Kumaravel’s spouse, who chose not to go down the beaten path. “Though I graduated in commerce I was clear that I would never take up an accounting job. Given the limited opportunities, being on my own was the only option,” says Veena Kumaravel, CEO and co-founder.