life | style
people with style
Caroline Hurley Founder and Spa Owner at BeCalmed
BeCalmed Founder and Spa owner Caroline Hurley tells us where it all began, her journey and that of her clients as they walk through the door of the spa…
H
aving had a lifelong interest in wellbeing and medicine, it seems only fi tting that Caroline has ended up where she has. After a business and secretarial course, working in a hospital offi ce and as a treatment assistant she had looked at a career in nursing but decided upon chiropody
instead. This, coupled with a real interest in natural health gave her the perfect platform to begin her work treating people. She was fascinated with reflexology and its close connections with chiropody and so studied extensively before setting up a business at home, which was not ideal with two small children.
But success has its rewards as well as hurdles and soon it was clear that Caroline would have to expand and move the business from home, setting up shop at Gurnard Pines. There was a huge learning curve from home to business premises but it was one that she took on with gusto, expanding to three treatment rooms and increasing the treatments on offer, but unfortunately the venture came to an abrupt end with the closure of Gurnard Pines.
“We have always agreed on important decisions as a family,” says Caroline. “So we all sat around the table to discuss the next move.” This move was to Cowes in 1997 and has proved to be both challenging and rewarding. The spa is the only Island stockist and user of the ESPA skincare range, something of which Caroline is very proud. “It’s a big brand and all the team go to Farnham for training at ESPA.” Her daughter Laura also works as a therapist and they both go to London trade shows to make sure that Cowes ‘isn’t in the backwater when it comes to treatments’.
The ethos behind the business is that the calming but wow factor should be there for each client from the moment that they walk in the door. From the soothing music, the smell of ESPA products to the ‘oh my goodness’ look on their face when they leave, BeCalmed is a haven of wellbeing and relaxation. A new medispa will open within BeCalmed in September, offering new treatments including tattoo removal, IPL hair removal and cryofat freezing. This combined with Caroline’s training, positive approach and ‘can do’ attitude ensures that clients are assured of being in the best of hands for quite some time to come.
Money equals success?
For me success is the satisfaction I feel when we help clients feel better. I love it when we are busy as there is such a lovely atmosphere with clients enjoying their treatments and my team taking care of them.
What does Island living mean to you?
Freedom to breathe. I love to cycle, walk and either be in the sea or on it. Also the sense of community. As my business has grown I’ve had a lot of support from friends, neighbours and clients.
Icons or inspirations?
My husband who trained in life coaching. One of the main principles is ‘what would you do if you thought you could not fail’. He has always kept this positive attitude and has been there to help me through the ups and downs of running a business.
Typical customer
‘We have always agreed on important decisions as a family’
12
www.styleofwight.co.uk
Everyone from young girls having their fi rst brow shape who require our specialist and experienced care to reassure them, to the tough sports man who will book in with one of our sports therapists to ease his aches and pains. Our
eldest client is a gentleman in his 90s who needs help looking after his feet and I still see my very fi rst client who has been coming to see me since 1997 when she had just retired.
Blunders? And what have you learnt?
I like to listen to what clients and friends say about my industry, but in the early years I allowed myself to be persuaded into purchasing skin care brands that I was unsure of rather than sticking with my instincts and research. So listen to advice but back it up with research.
Top tips?
Don’t put off taking care of yourself and take time each day to stop and breathe!
Facing the future
In 2012, we opened our sister salon Finishing Touches Nail Bar and Beauty Salon. We are now expanding BeCalmed to become a Wellbeing and Medi Spa, have completed our advanced aesthetic training and have brand new equipment allowing us to offer aesthetic treatments. This is a very exciting time for us as we continue to add to the business.
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