Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in educating skin care professionals and clinic owners but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rene Serbon, founder of Dermal Systems Inc.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an entrepreneur and educator at heart. Early in my career, I started with in-clinic continuous training programs for our team of aestheticians in a clinic I was managing at the time. I expanded to educating industry professionals on anatomy, physiology, and cosmetic chemistry and soon realized that knowing how to analyze skin was of no help if the knowledge could not be implemented in a system that easily conveys the information to the client in the end. The implementation is my business brain thrived and soon I found myself consulting with clinics on how to implement systems in procedures to help their clinics become skin-centric. Naturally, it expanded to inquiries about the products and equipment I use and the opportunity for distribution came about. One I did not think of, but my mentor encouraged me to take the opportunity. Today I help aestheticians and other skin care professionals (physicians, dermatologists, naturopathic doctors, nurses) build their businesses through consulting, educating, and supply.
Tell us about yourself
Initially, I took a nail technology course as I waited to start university because the entrepreneur in me thought it would be great to set my own schedule to work and work from my home, or my client's homes around my lecture schedule. In the end I worked in a clinic/salon and as I sat next to reception area working away I thought it interesting to watch people enter, disappear into a treatment room and come out relaxed, glowing, and with extra skip in their step. Watching people's self-esteem blossom as their skin conditions improved really meant that in the end I was 'bit by the beauty bug'. Today, while my personal skin client book is not open to new people I do now work with other industry professionals which to me feels like I can reach more people with my gifts. Each aesthetician now works to help people feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin and that remains my motivation. These days that confidence is not just from a skin perspective for my clients, but also in their ability to run successful businesses in the beauty industry.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest accomplishment as a business owner is seeing my clients and my team thrive for almost 11 years now. I won't lie and will admit that there are a few other things that really fuels me in my work, like the being recognized of one only a few Pastiche Recognized Educators in the world, the opportunity to serve on the board of education for the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, and winning the Education Award in the 2021 Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards, presented by Spa Inc. magazine with the support of Leading Spas of Canada.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest is the cash flow monster. I also don't love it when I have to let people go. Luckily that does not happen often but learning to do assertively and kindly as fast as you can make the road easier.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start by paying yourself first and embrace numbers. It is the language of business, you can't escape it.
- It is fine to say no.
- Hire slow, fire fast.
BONUS: Follow your gut. I think we ignore it too often, just go for it.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/reneserbon/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneserbon/
https://www.facebook.com/reneserbonskinexpert/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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