Susan welcomes Dan and Anna Inglis, directors of Elegant Touch, who recently achieved the remarkable feat of winning the UK Professional Beauty Large Salon of the Year award on their first attempt. The episode delves into their inspiring journey, from Anna's early passion for beauty and her initial foray into the industry to the couple's strategic growth of their salon, which now boasts a team of 12. They discuss the challenges they faced during the pandemic, the importance of maintaining high standards, and the unique touches that set their salon apart. Listeners will gain insights into their award application process, the significance of teamwork, and how they balance their thriving business with family life. This episode is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence in the beauty industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Passion for the Beauty Industry: Anna has had a long-standing passion for the beauty industry, starting from a young age and continuing through her education and career.

Team Development and Growth: The couple emphasizes the importance of building a strong team. They have successfully grown their team from one to twelve members, utilizing a mix of experienced therapists and apprenticeships to ensure quality and consistency in service.

Recognition and Awards: Entering and winning industry awards, such as the UK Professional Beauty Large Salon of the Year, has been a significant milestone for Elegant Touch.

Work-Life Balance: The importance of maintaining a work-life balance is highlighted, especially after experiencing a health scare.

BEST MOMENTS

"I chose hair, childcare and beauty, and beauty was the one that I absolutely loved." - Anna

"I said yeah go on then, I'll come and see you, forget paying those sorts of fees." - Dan

"I think it was a reset for us. I feel like we've never been stronger since then." - Anna

"We've looked after people very well from day one. The way Anna looks after them and the empathy that you show them." - Dan

www.eleganttouchuk.co.uk

Instagram- elegant_touch_beauty

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

https://www.tiktok.com/@beautybusinessmatters

https://marketing.susanroutledge.com/beauty-and-the-best-chapters

In today's episode, Susan shares valuable insights on how to choose the right equipment for your beauty business. She outlines 20 essential considerations to ensure that your investment meets client demand and enhances your services. From understanding the reasons behind your purchase to conducting thorough research on suppliers, equipment standards, and market saturation, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide for beauty professionals looking to make informed decisions that will ultimately drive their business to success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Before purchasing equipment, ensure there is genuine demand from clients rather than buying based on personal desire. Conduct surveys or take pre-deposits to gauge interest.

• Investigate the equipment's standards, such as ISO accreditation and patents. Look for recommendations from industry peers and verify the supplier's reputation and history.

• Assess the level of support provided by the supplier, including customer service and training options. Consider the costs associated with training and whether it includes ongoing support for new team members.

• Analyze the return on investment by understanding treatment costs, pricing strategies, and potential resale value. Explore funding options or grants available for purchasing equipment.

• Ensure the equipment has been tried and tested, ideally through demonstrations at trade shows. Look for genuine before-and-after results to confirm its effectiveness before making a purchase.

BEST MOMENTS

"First of all, why do you want that piece of equipment? Is it just that you want that piece of equipment, or is it that you've got demand from your clients for it?"

"Look for recommendations as well. Do you know anyone else who's had that piece of equipment? Look at the results that they've got from it."

"What kind of support are you gonna get with this system? Is it gonna be you just buy it, you're left to your own devices?"

"Look at the resale value as well. If you decide in two years' time that you want to sell that piece of equipment, what's the resale value likely to look at?"

"It is so tempting just to jump in to buy a piece of equipment, but it's a relationship that you're building with that supplier."

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/

Susan welcomes back mindset expert Vicky Ross to discuss the current unrest in the beauty industry amidst economic changes. As the episode coincides with Susan's birthday and the launch of season two, Vicky shares her extensive experience in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and offers valuable insights on managing overwhelm and resetting one's mindset. The conversation delves into the importance of awareness, the stories we tell ourselves, and practical strategies for prioritizing tasks and maintaining mental well-being. Vicky emphasizes the significance of daily rituals, gratitude, and intention-setting to navigate challenges effectively, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to thrive in their business and personal life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Understanding Overwhelm: Overwhelm is often a result of taking on too many tasks within a limited time frame.

The Importance of Awareness: Self-awareness is crucial in managing thoughts and emotions. By understanding what drives our behaviours and beliefs, we can better navigate challenges and reset our mindset when feeling overwhelmed.

Communication and Perception: The way we communicate with ourselves and others significantly impacts our perceptions.

Daily Rituals and Intentions: Establishing daily rituals, such as setting intentions and practicing gratitude, can help create a positive mindset. Taking time to reflect on what we want to achieve each day can lead to more focused and productive outcomes.

BEST MOMENTS

"If people don't understand themselves and haven't raised an awareness about their thinking, their feelings, and their actions, then everything goes haywire." -Vicky

"Overwhelm is typically when people are doing something they think is really important for them and they don't quite know how to do it."- Vicky

"What has to be true in you to do that to yourself? Why do you have the need to put five or six complex tasks on your plate?" - Vicky

"When someone doesn't stop, your body will stop you." - Susan

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

https://www.vickyross.com

info@vickyross.com

https://www.vickyross.com/awakening-serenity - code: serenity25

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/