Howwas the business started?
My sister went intopremature labour three weeks before her due date and I ended up helping her doher beauty treatments in hospital. I realised that this is exactly what peopleneed while they are in hospital to make them feel better, and I put together abusiness plan and took it to Netcare who helped me work on it.
Howwas the business funded?
I self-funded the businessusing all my bonuses from Investec (about R120 000), selling my unit truststhat I had saved over the years and using some money from my bond to get thebusiness up and running. It took about R400 000 in total, which I am stillservicing.
Whathas been your best move in the first 12 months of running your business?
Partnering with Netcare. They are constantly looking forvalue-added services and are enormously supportive of entrepreneurs who offersomething distinctive. The partnership has given us access into the Netcarehospitals although it’s up to us to build our own relationships with eachindividual hospital.
Wasthere a critical factor in the business which you underestimated?
I didn’t realise how critical the right beautician is in each hospital.If you have the wrong person in the facility, it won’t do well. They need to bepersonable, reliable and professional, and relate well to people.
Whatis your next move?
We have joined up with Momentummedical aid which will be offering its members a discount on any treatmentsthat they have in our facilities. This will be extended to both Momentum andNetcare staff. Then we have plans to expand nationally in Netcare hospitals.