Do What It Takes to Keep Motivated

1. Tell us more about your company and your journey.

I opened my beauty salon over 11 years ago when I was just 19 years old. Which was a huge step as I had left school at the age of 13 with no qualifications to my name due to bullying.

Since then I have built a multi award winning salon which has been published over 45 time’s including OK and Hello magazine and Nationwide newspapers. Won over 15 awards and also pampered celebrities.

I wanted the highest of standards across salons and within the industry so I launched KG Professional. A beauty training academy across the UK and product range. Within 6 months of launching the product range for professionals, they hit over 500 salons and now sold all over the world.

I am also a dedicated business mentor and have conducts various talks and mentoring sessions at colleges and events about my story and I’m passionate about motivating others in building their careers. I am also a regular writer for many industry magazines and have a number 1 best selling book called 'Extraordinary Women’

2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it?

When I opened the salon I decided to open it alongside another business I had at the time. I wanted a shop front and something to work towards. At first the salon started just offering tanning and nails. Over 6 months it expanded into all treatments. It wasn’t in my plan to then open a product range and training academy. It kind of just fell into place and led naturally into each other. That was the same regarding business mentoring too. I guess I have been in the industry for a long time people would then trust me and come to me for advice. I love helping others, so business mentoring is my new passion.

3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?

The first 5 years in business was my hardest. Getting the brand out there and people to trust a name they had never heard of. I also had a lot of debt from loans I took out to launch the business. I gave myself 5 years to be debt free and pay it off, which I did. But to say it was hard is an understatement. Also Covid-19 was a huge challenge. My industry was closed for 5 months, 5 months with no income. I didn’t think we would make it, but we did. I wasn’t prepared to let it take us down. We are now back up and running finally.

4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. I think it takes a certain person and mindset to be an entrepreneur. Your a risk taker as you have to be able to take risks with the choices you make. You also have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot while your building the business as it takes a lot of time.

5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?

Being consistent. You need to be consistent at all time’s. The way you run the business, the way you want your brand to come across, your social media. The way you talk to your clients/customers. Also another point is being able to run a team. As you grow, you need a team. Your team then run the business for you so you need to be able to mange them and motivate them to push the business to where you want it.

6. What are your tips for first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up. It’s so easy to Chuck the towel in when the going gets tough. Don’t be the 97% that gave up be the 3% that made it.

Do what it takes to keep motivated, keep learning, reading and listening. Surround yourself with like minded people that will push you to keep going and support you.

7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?

Cash flow is king. So you need to make sure you have funds, even if that’s just a little. You can try and get a loan off and family or friend. You can get a business loan. Make sure you do your accounts and know your figures so you know exactly how much you need to bring in to be able to pay the overheads. You don’t want to become unstuck where you cannot pay the overheads as that’s when you get in danger with cash flow.

Interview by - Kriti Garg