Welcome to part 2 of 'Meet the Professionals' this week's interviews are with Maggie Hind from Gerrard International and Barbara Robertson from Caudalie!
It was great to hear what they had to say about the industry!
"Don’t be afraid to start and work hard, from the very bottom"
Maggie Hind
Job Role- Area Sales Manager at Gerrard International
Please, could you give us a short overview of your career history/pathway?
After gaining a work experience week at Ragdale Hall Spa in Leicestershire. I then became a full time Beauty Therapist at the spa, once I finished my NVQ Level 3 Beauty Therapy.
I stayed at this Spa for 6 years, working my way up to Decleor Account Manager & Skincare Specialist, in the Ragdale Hall Retail Beauty Shop.
Whilst in my full-time role at Ragdale Hall Spa, two evenings a week I studied at a local college and I gained my training qualification. This allowed me to become an educator/ trainer for Beauty Brands.
Next, I became a spa manager for The Owl House Day Spa in Derbyshire. Stayed there for a while, but realised I didn’t enjoy managing a big team.
So then, sent my CV off to Gerrard International for the position of Area Sales Manager, covering all brands Jessica, Mii Cosmetics, Brow by Mii, Kissed by Mii etc.. got the job on the spot! My enthusiasm for make up and beauty therapy made up for my lack of field sales experience. I’ve now been in my job for 4 years and love it!
Why do you love this position?
The variety of taking care of 200+ beauty salon and spas, educating them in our brands. Gaining new business is a huge part of our role, following up interest from beauty salons and individuals. I’m a brand ambassador so need to spread the word!
Do you have any future aspirations or a dream job?
Im doing it!!
What advice would you give to people starting out in this industry?
Don’t be afraid to start and work hard, from the very bottom. The more experience using different brands & working in different salons or spas, will make you stand out from the rest. Take any training courses given to you and never complain.
The standard of management and therapists in our industry these days has slacked slightly, everyone wants to work less for more money. Stick it out, and aim high.
"Treat every customer as if it is your first customer of the day and of make yourself memorable"
Barbara Robertson
Job Role- Trainer and Beauty Expert for Caudalie
Please, could you give us a short overview of your career history/pathway?
I competed my Beauty Therapy qualification over 2 years straight from high school. At the beginning of my second year I was offered a job at Gleneagles Spa following work placement part-time. I continued to work at Gleneagles for a further 2 years after college full-time.
In order to progress, I worked in field sales for a short time to gain a healthy sales record which led me onto work as a Brand Support Manager covering Ireland, North East and Scotland for the B cosmetics launch. I particularly enjoyed the training aspect of this role and as such became a Trainer and Field Sales for a beauty company specialising in eyelashes training in salons, spas and colleges nationwide for 3 years.
Why do you love this position?
All the people I meet and work with all over the UK, it's like having hundreds of colleagues. Learning new products and treatments is really fun and I get to do it every day. I also love to help therapists progress and achieve.
Do you have any future aspirations or a dream job?
I find this hard to imagine although if I wasn't training I would most likely be a Treatments Manager in a spa.
One day I would like to work in recruitment and training for new openings/ launches of spas and cruise ships.
What advice would you give to people starting out in this industry?
To treat every customer as if it is your first customer of the day and of make yourself memorable.