We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Agam Saigal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Agam , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Moving to Nashville and starting Menscape Nashville are, without a doubt, the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. Before making this leap, I had a fulfilling career in Marketing, working for a top-ten car manufacturer in cities like Memphis, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Later, I transitioned into a role in the Strategy Department at one of the world’s largest law firms, tackling industries I knew little about, like Energy and Sports. These career moves, while challenging, were strategic and driven by professional growth. But my decision to move to Nashville wasn’t about career advancement—it was about taking a leap of faith to rebuild my personal life, and, unknowingly, embarking on an entirely new professional journey.

Leaving behind stable, progressive careers and cities where I had built deep friendships and professional networks wasn’t easy. But I felt a pull to be closer to my aging parents and family. Little did I know, my move to Nashville in early 2020 would coincide with one of the most uncertain times in modern history. The city shut down almost as soon as I arrived due to the pandemic. Companies froze hiring, leaving me in a bubble of isolation in my new home, grappling with what I wanted to do next in my life.

That leap of faith, while terrifying at the time, ended up being the most transformative experience of my life. During those months of introspection, I found myself reflecting on how often men—myself included—ignore their own well-being, pushing through stress without slowing down to care for themselves. This sparked an idea: what if I could create a space where men could relax, recharge, and prioritize their self-care? With no prior experience in the spa or skincare industries, I invested thousands of hours furiously googling, researching, talking to others, and learning everything I could about how to bring this idea to life. Every conversation, every late-night search, and every lesson I absorbed became a building block for Menscape Nashville.

That passion and drive ultimately led to the birth of Menscape Nashville—a place where men can find confidence, care, and a sense of connection. Looking back, taking that risk was the best decision I could have made. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of following your instincts, even when the timing feels impossibly wrong. The journey wasn’t easy, but it gave me a renewed sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the spa industry because I personally struggled with slowing down and taking care of myself. My journey started with a frustrating experience at a big-box waxing chain that claimed to cater to both men and women. As a male client, I felt completely out of place. The waiting area was covered in pink accents, walls filled with photos of women, and no sign that men were truly welcome. Despite their claims of inclusivity, it was clear the space wasn’t designed with men in mind.

The experience itself felt rushed, like I was just another number in an assembly line. I left feeling undervalued. On top of that, there was the awkward expectation to tip generously—despite receiving a mediocre experience. The esthetician was clearly skilled, but like so many in this industry, she relied on tips just to make ends meet. It infuriated me that a multi-million-dollar franchise couldn’t create an equitable system to compensate its employees fairly, leaving them financially vulnerable.

That experience opened my eyes to deeper issues within the grooming and skincare industries. I also discovered that skincare products—part of a $23 billion industry—are largely unregulated by the FDA. Many rely more on marketing gimmicks and influencer hype than real results, leaving people spending hard-earned money on products that may not even address their concerns. That realization fueled my desire to create something different—a business built on transparency, quality, and ethical practices.

At my core, I’ve always been a bit of a rebel. That experience sparked the question:
Can I create a better, more thoughtful experience—not just for clients, but for employees too? Can we rethink outdated business norms and set a higher standard?

That’s how Menscape Nashville was born.

It’s a space designed specifically for men to prioritize self-care with professional grooming services, including waxing, body hair trimming, facials, body treatments, and tinting services. We help our clients manage their body hair while also improving the health of their skin—both on their face and body. In 2025, we’re expanding to offer men’s pedicures, manicures, and massage to continue redefining what self-care means for men.

What sets us apart?
• We specialize exclusively in men’s services. From the moment you walk in, everything—from the décor to the services—is curated with men in mind.
• We are a gratuity-free business. The price you see online is the price you pay—no hidden costs, no awkward tip calculations.
• We prioritize sustainability. We go beyond industry norms by using recyclable materials, including gloves and waxing tins.
• We offer choice and comfort. Clients can select a male or female esthetician, ensuring a level of personalization rarely found elsewhere.
• We custom-blend our premium waxes in-house. This guarantees superior results with a focus on both comfort and effectiveness.

At Menscape Nashville, we’re not just helping men look and feel their best—we’re reimagining what the spa experience can be. For clients, for employees, and for the industry as a whole.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely. One of the most impactful resources for me has been the class Science of Well-Being taught by Dr. Laurie Santos at Yale (she also hosts a fantastic podcast called The Happiness Lab). This course provided scientific insights into creating happiness, which has directly influenced how we design solutions to foster well-being for both our clients and staff.

I’ve also spent countless hours learning from entrepreneurial content on YouTube, covering a range of voices from entrepreneurs to IDEO (an innovation company), as well as practical classes on starting a small business. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center and SCORE, a nonprofit that supports small businesses, have been invaluable resources during my journey. I regularly turn to the Harvard Business Review for articles on consumer behavior and employee motivation, and even subreddits like r/smallbusiness and r/antiwork have given me incredible insights into what people love—and hate—about their jobs. These online communities are like a pulse check for the real-world challenges people face.

Two books that left a lasting impression on me during my MBA program are Fast Second and Six Thinking Hats. Both offered unique frameworks for thinking about innovation and decision-making that have shaped my approach to management and problem-solving.

Interestingly, I’ve also found wisdom in religious and spiritual philosophies. While I’m not a religious person myself, the shared ethics of compassion, decency, and caring for others resonated deeply with me. At its core, our business philosophy is simple: prioritize the well-being of our clients and team above all else. Yes, revenue is important, but our mission is rooted in caring for people first—not just making money.

One lesson I keep coming back to is the importance of truly listening. It’s easy to assume you know what your clients or employees need, but taking the time to understand their pain points is a lost art. By listening deeply to both potential clients and employees, we’ve been able to create more thoughtful and effective solutions for everyone involved. This philosophy has been a guiding light in everything we do.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In an era where trust is scarce, disinformation is everywhere, and many in the grooming industry compete on price—sacrificing client experience and driving high staff turnover—we chose a different path.

We’ve built our reputation on honesty and authenticity. Some businesses incentivize reviews with discounts, buy fake 5-star ratings, or rely on paid influencers to drive traffic. While these tactics may boost visibility, they fail to reflect a business’s true quality. Trust should be earned, not bought.

At Menscape Nashville, we take pride in our 80+ organic, 5-star Google reviews, all written by real clients who took the time to share honest feedback—without incentives, discounts, or paid promotions. We’ve never paid for reviews, nor will we ever, because we believe trust is built through authentic client experiences.

That said, we know we’re not perfect. Over the past four years, we’ve made mistakes. But what sets us apart is our willingness to listen, learn, and take accountability. Businesses are made up of people, and mistakes are inevitable—but how a business responds is what defines its integrity.

As Nashville continues to grow, we hope the community holds all businesses—including us—accountable for their actions. For us, it’s not about chasing perfection; it’s about transparency, learning from missteps, and continuously striving to do better for our clients, our team, and the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://menscapenashville.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menscapenashville
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MenscapeNashville/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/menscapenashville
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjPjY_mLAJyM4FmQYT_A1g
• Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/MenscapeNashville/