OMG – another “baby” of mine has grown up, totally matured and now I am moving on!
My “babies” of course are my three gorgeous, intelligent, wondrous children who I live in awe about and The Skin Care Clinic – 20 years plus on, it is time for it to reach to greater heights, to develop and reach a sky-high potential!
I am also in awe of myself for having built such a thing! But the time has arrived for fresh energy, fresh ideas, super enthusiasm and Meg, with what will now be her team, is the right person to do it.
So, I hand over the reins and enter the next phase of life – retirement – and as I do so I reflect…
- How I have changed, or actually how I haven’t. My philosophy and values remain as they were – customers come first, nasties in skin care come last and science is paramount. Business wise – staff are everything!
- How the industry has changed – WOW! I started way back when medical cosmeceuticals just entered the market. There was one range so super good it’s still super good today – though always keeping up with change and that’s CosMedix. Science and technology in skin care have advanced so much in the last decade, now with stem-cells and DNA repair products that we can stay looking younger for so much longer, but more importantly our skin can be healthier. It’s been phenomenal to have seen and been part of all the changes.
- How customers expectations have changed. People expect us, and I always wanted them to as well, to know our stuff, to be at the forefront of skin care research and industry standards. With the advent of social media, (yes, I was around before Facebook and Instagram), communication has become so fast that customers can know about advances before we do. It’s been so important to stay on top of research, of ingredients and new products because if we don’t, we risk losing the respect of all you – our valued peoples. I believe we have done well.
- How, at last, people are taking on that having a healthy skin is all about gut health. My little voice has been on and on about this for years, but now it’s out there, something in skin care that is worth being trendy! Go on everyone – eat your greens!
My Heart is full…
I have a heart packed to bursting point with gratitude to you all. 20 years of success and growth in any business cannot happen without customers and to each and every one of you, whether you are a first time customer or have been with me from the early days – i can only say a very humble thanks. To the many of you, both in clinic and online who have over the years expressed their thanks for my knowledge and assistance in caring for them and for their skin. It is you guys who make the hard work and hours incredibly worthwhile and to be honest, it is you that I will miss the most!
It’s been absolutely humbling over the last 2-3 weeks to catch up with a few “originals”. Clients who I’ve seen thru pubertal breakouts to menopause – to have these “skin friends” over such a period is incredibly humbling and just amazingly special. We’ll still catch-up and talk about our lives over a glass of bubbles or a walk in the park and i won’t have it any other way!
To the variety of staff who have supported me. Each one of you brought skills, ideas and personality to your job and no matter how long, or short your stay with us you left a little bit of yourself – all contributing to our clinic today; modern, professional, educationally based!! It’s been great to know and work with you all!
The clinic will continue, the team remains – just missing me – and i trust that all the support i have enjoyed will simply be transferred to the new guard. I suggest you keep an eye out, ‘cos i suspect there are some amazing developments coming!
My parting words of skin care advice?
Never forget that all skin care is not the same! Continue to discover about toxic chemicals in all aspects of your life, avoid them and remember that in order to age more gracefully – add a physical sunblock to your skin EVERY DAY!
You are in good hands, I have confidence for you, for your skin and for The Skin Care Clinic!
Thank you to all!
Gaye
PS – ‘cos I know you’ll ask!
What now for me?
I’ll let life settle, enjoy my grandchildren more, return to my roots of learning and discovering. I love music and walking, language, my garden and travel, but above all else I love to help people. So dearest people, all I can say is… we’ll see.
Bye – for now… Gaye xx
Leave a Reply