Host Susan Routledge shares her personal journey in the beauty industry, reflecting on her early fascination with makeup and hair, the challenges she faced while starting her own business, and the profound impact of her father's sudden passing. Susan discusses her evolution from a home-based beauty service to owning a successful salon, winning prestigious awards, and eventually stepping back to focus on helping other salon owners through her initiatives like the Beauty Directors Club. She also highlights her passion for education, networking, and the importance of community within the industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Passion for Beauty: From a young age, there was a strong fascination with the beauty industry, leading to a lifelong commitment to pursuing a career in beauty therapy and hairdressing. Overcoming Challenges: The journey included significant challenges, such as the loss of a parent and the realisation that the initial business was built to impress rather than fulfill personal passion. Continuous Learning and Growth: Emphasizing the importance of education, the individual pursued teaching qualifications and refresher courses, which ultimately contributed to the success of the salon and the ability to help others in the industry. Community and Support: The establishment of the Beauty Directors Club highlights the value of community in the beauty industry, providing a platform for salon owners to connect, share experiences, and support one another. BEST MOMENTS "I always think if you're going to dream, you may as well dream big." - Susan "I just wish I'd stopped." - Susan "I realized that like this business I'd built up wasn't really the business that I wanted." - Susan "I think there's so much help out there and learning from each other is definitely the way forwards." - 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/

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