The Darshana Story

Since 2013

Growing up, I was curious about my Indian father’s ritual of applying natural oils to his hair. At the time, I found it odd, but he always emphasized the importance of regular scalp massages with these oils for maintaining healthy and moisturized hair. His peculiar hair care routine left a lasting impression on me.

Years later, during a journey through India with my wife, we were entranced by the beauty of the country and its people. It was impossible to ignore the luscious, thick locks of Indian women, a testament to their centuries-old tradition of natural hair care.

Returning home, I found myself surrounded by shelves of hair products, yet none seemed to capture the essence of the nourishing rituals I had witnessed in India. It was then that inspiration struck: Why not bring the benefits of authentic Indian hair care to everyone?

Driven by this vision, my wife Shana and I embarked on a mission to introduce the West to the age-old secrets of Indian hair care. Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil was born!

Behind the Brand

Joyful in Hope

In 2005, our journey took an unexpected turn when Shana was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma brain tumor, a discovery made after she noticed hearing loss in her left ear. Despite undergoing radiation treatment, our lives were shaken once again in 2014.

That year, a morning like any other was shattered by the devastating revelation that Shana had suffered a stroke—a brain hemorrhage caused by a serious cavernous malformation in her brainstem. The news was crushing, and after prayer, countless consultations with experts, and heartfelt discussions with family, the decision was made for Shana to undergo brain surgery in 2015 at Stanford Hospital. Since then, nothing has quite been the same.

“When your world is turned upside down you don’t know which way to turn for help. It can be a very lonely and isolating feeling when your best friend and partner is now in a fight for their life.”

Darius Irani

Amidst the uncertainty, there were moments when we questioned whether Darshana would survive this life-altering ordeal. The nine-hour surgery was a daunting journey, but against all odds, it proved successful. However, it left Shana facing a new reality—physical and emotional challenges that test her resolve every day.

From slowed speech to issues with balance, numbness, coordination, and persistent double vision, Shana grapples with obstacles that might seem insurmountable to many. Yet, with unwavering determination, she tackles each challenge head-on.

Even now, years later, the demands of running a business can sometimes feel overwhelming. But Shana’s resilience knows no bounds. She refuses to be defined by her circumstances. Instead, she embodies the spirit of perseverance, an inspiration to us all as she navigates the complexities of life with grace and endurance.

“When you aren’t the same as you were before it can be depressing. The thing that has gotten us through the toughest period of our lives has been our family, friends, and our faith in Jesus. If you are going through something don’t isolate yourself.”

Shana Irani