Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I run Beautifully Bare Hi-Tech Spa, a mobile medical aesthetics studio. We have a boutique spa in Toronto and also partner with existing spas across Ontario to allow them to offer medical aesthetics in their own space through our company.
When I’m not working on my day job, I also write a daily lifestyle blog: www.imalittle.com. While this began as a passion project, it’s actually become a really positive creative outlet and has also been an excellent way to cross promote with my business.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I always knew that I wanted to run my own business and the beauty industry is both interesting and challenging to me. There are so many facets of this industry and I love combining my passion for beauty with my background in business. The beauty industry is changing and newer technologies are making it difficult for smaller spas to keep up. We noticed a gap and created a solution to service clients and business owners and fuel our brand.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I would definitely have to say that the best part of my job is that I get to work with a number different spas and with a variety of owners on a day-to-day basis. It is amazing to be surrounded by hardworking business owners and incredibly motivating to see so many females take control of their career goals.
In the same breath, I’d have to say it can be a challenge to juggle all of our business relationships. There are so many factors involved when you’re creating a turn-key solution; sometimes you think you’ve prepared for any and all what ifs and then you get a phone call that can change your whole day. While it can be a challenge I think this is also a key driver for any entrepreneur. We love to solve problems and are constantly looking for ways to improve upon a good idea.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I would truly love to have created a successful brand and be putting my experience to good use by helping other females in the beauty industry or business world build upon their ideas and brands. I have been mentored by some great people and I would love nothing more than to be able to pay it forward as much as possible.
What does success look like to you?
My partner and I have a mantra of sorts that we always revert back to and I believe this is my greatest way to interpret success. Despite what happens in our business, whether we succeed or fail by typical standards, we want to be sure that we are always able walk away knowing we gave it everything we had with no regrets. We remind ourselves of that on a regular basis: it motivates us daily, helps us recognize we need to put in the work and I believe it’s made us successful in the short-term and will continue to do so moving forward.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I would definitely have to say making it through our first year was an incredible milestone for me and my business. I never knew how much work it would be and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. Oh, and recently repaying my original investment in full. That was also a great day!
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Do not disregard a good idea. If you have something you want to set out and accomplish, it is entirely possible and sometimes you just have to go for it. Also, surround yourself with a good team, recognize your strengths and strengths in others and remind yourself that you might not always know the best way to get a job done.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I think I got my entrepreneurial itch from working in not-for-profits! I am a co-founder of the Burgundy Brick Foundation, which recruits volunteers, plans third-party events and raises funds for low-income housing projects in Toronto and the GTA. After graduating from Western, we realized so many friends were heading overseas to volunteer and work. We saw there were problems to be tackled here at home and we really wanted to offer a solution to that. We held our first event the summer of 2007, participated in builds with Habitat for Humanity Toronto and have raised over $150,000 for not-for-profit organizations in our own city.
This has been so important to me as I have met, volunteered and developed relationships with the people that our work directly affects. There was nothing more rewarding than the day I went to visit a family and presented them with the key to their new home. Their positive attitudes, willingness to work and excitement for the future remind me why I love to support local organizations and volunteer.
What to you is notable?
To me, notable is going the extra mile. Be the person who does that little bit extra and you’ll be rewarded.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone, iPad, iEverything. I love Apple.
Alexandra is pictured right in both photos.