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2010 Women Into The Network Best Retail Business winner Susan Routledge from Finishing Touch Health & Beauty Clinic talks to bdaily

Susan Routledge collected the Women Into The Network ‘Best Retail Business’ award in 2010. She tells bdaily about her business, Finishing Touch Health & Beauty Clinic, what winning the award meant for herself and her company whilst she also explains what benefits her association with WIN has brought.

The award is sponsored by Barbour & Sons Ltd, the second year that the firm has sponsored the category. Dame Margaret Barbour, Chairman of Barbour said “we have 14 stores across the UK and as retailers ourselves, we understand the hard workand dedication it takes to run a good retail business. Not only is it important to have an excellent product, but also to consistently deliver outstanding customer service and a high quality in store or online product presentation. We will be looking for all these qualities from this year’s entries and I am sure there will be a very high standard to choose from.

“WIN offers practical advice, skills development, new business opportunities and high quality networking events for women, whether they are just starting out in business or are more established organisations. It provides a platform for women to discuss their business challenges and issues and to share experiences. Barbour has always supported the development of women in business and we are delighted to support both WIN and the WIN Awards.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

I started Finishing Touch Health & Beauty Clinic in 1988 as a sole trader and have expanded the business 5 times in the subsequent 23 years. I now have a team of 8 therapists, 1 full-time receptionist and an office manager associated with Finishing Touch. We currently have plans to extend our Consett premises further early next year, enabling us to divide the business into a beauty salon plus an advanced skin clinic. This in turn will enable us to improve our vast range of treatments further.

Over the 23 years, we have won many awards including Best Beauty Salon of the Year nationally in 2007 and most recently the Win Award for Retail Business of the Year in 2010. Plus we came runner-up in the prestigious Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.

We invest hugely in training and one of our team won Apprentice of the Year before now, securing herself a full-time position with us.

I also have a Medical Aesthetic Company called Estetics, where we have a highly-trained team of doctors and nurse practitioners specialising in injectable anti-ageing treatments offered at prime locations throughout the North East and Yorkshire.

In mid-September, we opened the doors to our Training Academy, the Advanced Aesthetic Skincare Training (AAST) located in 2-storey premises in Consett, offering short courses in both medical and advanced beauty, as well as stand- alone courses in business growth and marketing. I am also writing a book outlining how to successfully run and market a business in the Health & Beauty sector which will be published early next year, and my long- term plans are to offer consultancy to new and existing businesses to help them flourish and have sustainable growth.

What did winning the award do for you on both a personal and company level?

On a personal level, winning the award has inspired me to go on to write my book and has raised my profile both as an Entrepreneur and an influence within my industry. Being involved with the WIN awards has helped me focus towards my future goals with my businesses.

Winning the award has given us a huge amount of publicity including newspaper articles, speaking opportunities and TV offers, which then transfers to giving your business and team amazing confidence and drive. This has resulted in the right people being attracted to my businesses to further develop into new and exciting avenues such as the training academy. This is now helping us to develop other businesses by passing on our knowledge and experience.

What benefits do you receive from WIN and why should others get involved?

I think any female in business in the North East should enter the awards. Whether the business is large or small, you need to look at it as a fun exercise and just go for it. It is so great to be able to tell your individual story and the entry form really makes you think about your achievements and where you want to focus for the future. Every business has originally been someone’s daydream which they have turned into reality and given their very own personality, and that in itself needs to be celebrated.

Once the form has been completed, it is quite astonishing to sit back and realise the amazing journey you are on.

To be a finalist or a winner is amazing, but even just being involved with WIN helps you to meet and network with amazing, like-minded women with all levels of achievement in business.

Tickets to attend the WIN Awards evening are £75 + VAT (£65 + VAT for WIN members) and include drinks reception, a 3-course meal and live entertainment.

For more information on how to enter or book tickets for the event itself, please email awards@womenintothenetwork.co.uk, or call 0191 385 6619, or visit: http://www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk/awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonny Marshall .