The award winning artists Shannon Mann and Harp Sohal are the co-founders of the renowned Pink Orchid Studio, which provides clients high fashion makeup art, hair design and styling services for the important events in their lives. Specializing in South Asian bridal hair, makeup, and dressing services, their dream team is in high demand in the Lower Mainland and they are also booked to style brides for destination weddings all over the world.
Pink Orchid Studio is renowned for its exemplary customer service as Mann and Sohal strive to create a comfortable, stress free environment for their clients. They do this by taking the time to get to know their clients through consultations. Acknowledging that every client has a unique style, they listen and ask a lot of questions to ensure that each client is given a look based on her individual personality and wants. During the appointment itself, the Pink Orchid team describes the atmosphere as light hearted and fun. “We chat about pop culture or family politics to make the clients feel at ease. We listen to music, we have special playlists too depending on the occasion,” Mann explains. “But inside we do take our jobs quite seriously; we put a lot of effort to ensure our clients look great. If there are any clothing or jewellery malfunctions, we handle it very calmly to ensure our clients are at ease.”
Besides providing a high quality hair and makeup service, Mann and Sohal are also there for their clients emotionally, providing brides everything they may need on their big day, from pep talks to jewellery advice. “The relationship is not over once the service is done,” says Sohal. “We become invested. We don’t just pin the chunni and leave. We leave our client when she leaves her home for her wedding venue. They also have our personal phone numbers and we are on standby [for the rest of the day] in case of emergency”.
This level of care and detail has made Pink Orchid Studio one of the most sought after hair and makeup companies in Canada and they currently have bookings all the way into 2017. “Most bridal clients book their services with us first and book their remaining vendors and venues based on availability,” shares Sohal. “We still pinch ourselves and think ‘is this really happening’?”
Mann and Sohal have also been recognised by popular vote and expert panels alike, which have led to over 11 awards over the years. Last year in 2013, they won ‘Best Wedding Hair Style’ at the Professional BC
Wedding Awards 2013 as well as ‘Best Wedding Makeup Artist’ and ‘Best Wedding Hair Designer’ in all of BC by the Wedding Industry Expert Awards. More recently, they were awarded the title of ‘Most Popular Hair and Makeup Service’ in the world by the Wedding Industry Expert Awards 2014.
“These awards mean so much to us especially as these awards are open to all artists in BC regardless of ethnicity, and we feel Pink Orchid Studio has really elevated the visibility of the Indian bridal industry on a national and international stage,” Mann and Sohal say. Lastly they were also recognized in 2013 by the South Asian community as they took home the award for “Best Wedding Makeup” and placed finalist for “Best Wedding Hair” at the first annual South Asian Wedding Awards.
In addition, they have also expanded their business to Calgary. Pink Orchid now has six teams of bridal specialists in BC and Alberta. “We have the world’s greatest staff,” says Sohal. “They share the same love and dedication for what we do.” Mann and Sohal train and mentor their staff to create the award winning looks that Pink Orchid Studio has become famous for. They have also expanded their product line from clip in hair extensions and eyelashes to carrying signature lipstick colours and lip glosses. “Our products are available online on our website and select retailers,” Sohal adds.
However, Mann and Sohal did not achieve this success overnight; it was the result of many years of hard work and dedication. “Some people ask what our secret is. There’s no secret. The only secret to success is hard work,” shares Mann. “Ask any entrepreneur; to be successful they had to make sacrifices. And they made their job their number one priority. It doesn’t matter what their vocation is, if they want to achieve excellence, they have to give it a 110 percent,” she says.
Mann and Sohal have definitely put in their 110 percent into making Pink Orchid Studio the business it is today. They work 18-hour days and often put aside their personal lives for their clients. Perhaps the greatest testament to their dedication is the fact that both kept a full work load even during their pregnancies. Sohal, who is due shortly with her second child, goes on to explain how her work ethic remains unaffected. “If anything, I gear up even more because [I] have to take a couple of weeks off after the baby is here. But work does not stop.” Juggling motherhood and their ever-expanding business may be tough, but both Mann and Sohal take it in stride. “That’s the reality of our lives, we are working mothers. In a nutshell, our lives are crazy busy, with great projects and blessings alike,” says Mann.
One of these great projects includes the courses Pink Orchid offers, such as the Hair Design Certificate Program and Makeup Art Certificate Program. Extremely popular and always sold out, these classes allow students to specialize in Indian Bridal. “We hold nothing back, everything is disclosed to our students,” says Mann. “If they want to know how Pink Orchid’s looks are created, our students learn exactly how we do it.” Their extremely straightforward and open attitude towards teaching often leads students to ask why they aren’t afraid of the competition. “We’re not because there is so much business out there, and if [our students] do well, I’m proud to see they learned from us,” answers Mann.
Talented, hardworking and full of passion for what they do, these award winning artists have truly carved a name for themselves in their industry in Canada. Their next goal is to take Pink Orchid on a global stage and with their drive and determination, that day may come sooner than they expect.
2014 Winner of 'Most Popular Hair and Makeup Service' - Worldwide, Wedding Industry Experts Awards
2013 Winners of Best Makeup Artist & Best Hair Designer in BC, Wedding Industry Experts Awards
2013 Winner of Best Wedding Hair & Finalist for Best Wedding Makeup, BC Wedding Awards
2012 Winner of Best Wedding Makeup & Finalist for Best Wedding Hair, BC Wedding Awards
2013 Winner of Best Wedding Makeup & Finalist for Best Wedding Hair, South Asian Wedding Awards
Contact Us: info@pinkorchidstudio.com or 604 499 PINK