Susan sits down with Gilian Huntley, the founder and director of Elite Probes, to discuss her inspiring journey in the beauty industry. Gilian shares how the COVID-19 lockdown prompted her to innovate in the field of blemish removal, leading to the development of specialized probes for treating various benign skin blemishes. The conversation delves into the evolution of training in this area, the profitability of blemish removal treatments, and the growing recognition of this niche within the beauty sector. Additionally, they discuss Gilian's recent initiatives, including sponsoring the first award for blemish removal at Professional Beauty and organizing a charity event at the iconic Gherkin in London, aimed at raising awareness and funds for skin cancer prevention. LINKS TO GUEST Instagram - @eliteprobes Tiktok - @eliteprobeswww.eliteprobes.co.uk 07399397903 Charity Event https://www.eliteprobes.co.uk/skcin-charity-and-educational-events KEY TAKEAWAYS Origin of Elite Probes: The idea for Elite Probes emerged during the lockdown when the founder recognized a gap in the market for effective blemish treatments, particularly after the NHS stopped funding such procedures. Training and Qualifications: Unlike traditional electrolysis training, which required extensive qualifications, new training programs now allow beauty therapists with a Level 3 qualification or relevant medical background to specialize in blemish removal without needing prior electrolysis training. Profitability of Blemish Removal: Blemish removal treatments are highly profitable, with therapists able to recoup their investment in training and equipment within weeks. Collaboration with Medical Professionals: There is a growing trend of referrals from GPs to trained therapists for blemish removal, as many patients prefer quicker, non-invasive treatments compared to long wait times for dermatologists. BEST MOMENTS "I realized that the products that we were using hadn't been changed, hadn't been updated. The blemishes that we were getting in were getting bigger and bigger." - Gilian "I think one of the misconceptions is that you used to have to have your full electrolysis qualification... But you can actually train without having an electrolysis qualification now." - Susan "When you look at how much you can charge for a blemish and how long it takes you to do it... you could make that back in two to three weeks." - Gilian The public are quite liking coming to us therapists as opposed to a medical GP doctor... We have got a very natural caring nature because of what we do." - Gilian 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 "Beauty 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/

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