Kuldeep Knox, founder and CEO of haircare brand Chāmpo, spends a lot of time talking to women across the globe. “Travel is incredibly important because Chāmpo is a truly international business, operating in more than 20 countries worldwide,” she explains. “Spending time in our markets helps us understand local customer needs, retail landscapes and cultural differences in a much deeper way. Some of our fastest-growing markets are outside the UK, so being present internationally is essential to how we build the brand thoughtfully and sustainably.”
As well as being a practical requirement, travel also enriches Knox, and inspires her creatively too. “There’s something energising about meeting our customers face to face, hearing their passion for our products and sharing my vision for the future in person,” she says. “I also find travel incredibly stimulating creatively. I often return with new ideas, new opportunities and a clearer sense of where we should grow next.”
She started the brand in 2019, after experiencing thinning hair in her late 20s. “My Indian grandmother, who was blessed with incredible hair into her late seventies, was a big inspiration behind the product range,” she shares. “She also introduced me to the Ayurvedic ingredients and rituals that shaped my thinking from the very beginning.”
Now stocked in locations including France, Germany and Italy, Knox is travelling more than ever. “I’ve spent much more time in the US, which I’ve loved – although one trip to Chicago turned into an unexpected four-day adventure across four states thanks to bad weather,” she laughs. “What was meant to be a 24-hour trip became a mini tour of America, complete with an impromptu lunch stop in New York City, so I really couldn’t complain. In Europe, expansion has meant more time in Paris and Milan, cities I’m always happy to revisit. I see travel as one of the privileges of building a global brand: it’s demanding, but it brings energy, perspective and a constant sense of momentum.”
Tell me about a work trip you were recently on. Where did you go?
I went to Paris for a meeting with Sephora. I always enjoy seeing the team, so it was a trip I was genuinely looking forward to.
When were you there?
I was there last week for two days, and the weather was glorious – bright sunshine that made Paris feel even more beautiful.
