Then and now: Katie Godfrey

In a new feature for Bdaily, beauty sector business strategist Katie Godfrey reflects on her career, from her first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons she has learned from her personal and professional evolution. 

What does your role entail?

I help salon and clinic owners, training academies, beauty product brands and coaches grow and scale their businesses without burning out.

My role is incredibly hands-on: I host group programmes, run high-level masterminds, coach clients one-to-one and create powerful spaces like in-person events and retreats where real transformation happens.

I focus on strategy, structure and mindset, so clients can create more money and freedom in their lives while still doing what they love. 

Did you always want to work in the beauty sector? Or did you have other ambitions when you were growing up?

When I was younger, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

I left school at 13 after being bullied and had zero qualifications.

I thought the only option was to work for myself.

I started in the beauty industry, opened my first salon at 19 and grew it into a successful multi-location brand.

Over time, I realised my passion was helping others do the same.

What was your first job – and did you enjoy it?

I started modelling at 13, and did that until I opened my salon.

I’ve never worked for anyone else – I did have a call centre job when I was young, but that didn’t last two weeks.

Were there any mentors or individuals that helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned then to your workforce of today?

I’ve had a few mentors over the years, and every single one has played a role in shaping how I run my business and support my clients. 

The biggest lesson I’ve taken is the power of investing in yourself.

We can only change the outcome if we change what we are doing, and I had to learn from those that had been there and done it.

I wish I'd had mentors sooner. 

What attracted you to the beauty sector?

I was initially drawn to the creativity and the connection with people.

I loved how beauty could make someone feel confident.

As I grew, I became obsessed with the business side, growing teams, building systems and scaling income.

I realised I could make a bigger impact by helping others grow their businesses than I ever could doing treatments alone.

How do you feel you’ve changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality?

I’ve grown massively, and I’m more confident and focused than ever before.

Running a business, especially in the coaching and mentoring space, pushes you to evolve constantly.

I’ve had to become a better leader, a better communicator and learn to let go of perfection.

I have also published a book; as a dyslexic, who didn’t do that great at school, I never thought I’d be a bestselling author.

You’ve seen many changes to the employment world across your career – how do you see the workplace evolving in years to come?

We’re already seeing a big shift.

People want more flexibility, more purpose and more freedom.

I believe the future of work is going to be built around lifestyle.

More people will work remotely, and many more will start their own businesses.

But there are still an awful lot of people who want an employed role for the stability it brings.

In the beauty industry, there has forever been a blend of employed and freelance staff, and I think that will continue.

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