in conversationwith a family affair
GuildNews chats to Lisa Crook,MD of Louella Belle, about accidentally falling into the beauty industry and her pleasures in life.
I began working in the beauty industry… Completely by accident. Over 20 years ago, I was out buying curtains when a lady commented on how fabulousmy nails were. We began talking and she toldme she knew I had a background in sales and did I want to sell a new fibreglass brand she was importing fromthe US. I explained I knew nothing about nails, but one thing led to another and two years latermy own business, Perfect Nails, was born - frommy kitchen table!
If I wasn’t in the beauty industry I would be… My passion for sales would have definitely ledme down a sales route – probably in fashion, another area in which I’mvery interested.
The best thing aboutmy job is… You won’t believeme when I say that it’s working day to day withmy two
sons.They have grown up around the industry and watchedme build Louella Belle, it seemed only natural that they become part of the
business.My eldest son Darren has recently become our Financial Director, whilstmy youngest son Jamie is ourMarketing Director.Working with familymeans that we all have a common goal – tomake the business a success. It’s also lovely for a mother to see her grown up sons on a daily basis – a privilege notmanymothers have!
An average day forme is… Very hectic! Not only do I run a business, but I run a home alongside that. Inmy industry, no two days are the same. I could be at London FashionWeek from7am– 11pmone day and then down in Leicester at a sales meeting the next. Exhibitions also take up a large chunk ofmy
time.An average day would probably seeme in the gymby 6.30amand in the office by 8am. I would thenmost typically have amorningmeeting with a Spa chain, and then an afternoon meeting with some of our nail technicians. Then it’s home tomake dinner formy husband and see the rest of the family!
My ideal weekend would be… Going to the gym both on Saturday and Sunday - a luxury that I rarely have time for during the week. I would then hit the shops in London for some retail therapy and meet up with close friends for lunch or dinner.
My favourite book is… Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
My favourite filmis… Dirty Dancing – who doesn’t love it?
Themost famous person I have met is… David Beckham– on the plane journey home fromLA amonth ago.
My favourite part of the world is… The U.S. I’mvery fortunate that I do get to travel regularly to the U.S. as part ofmy job, and I love it there!
I could not live without… Probablymy credit card andmy fortnightly Artistic Colour Glossmanicure!
My favourite beauty treatment is… I love to havemy hair done on a weekly basis, it’smy little treat.
My rolemodel was… Without any doubt,my late Father.
I would like to be remembered as… An inspiration to the industry,my friends and family.
130 GUILD NEWS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132