Beauty NZ Magazine Winter 2023

Salon
SPOTLIGHT
Salon
SPOTLIGHT
A closer look at the
business of homebased
salons
The beauty industry spans a spectrum of businesses,
amongst them home-based salons.
Arianne Dion officially founded Totally
RAD Beauty in 2020, and part of her
journey has been ensuring a deep
understanding of the importance of
professionalism, integrity and industry
standards. Arianne and her team are
all members of the NZ Association
of Registered Beauty Professionals,
helping ensure they are well informed
of industry changes and committed to
helping instil confidence in the homebased
salon business space.
BeautyNZ chats with Arianne for
a closer look at the challenges and
demands of a home-based salon.
What sparked your original passion
for the beauty industry and motivated
you to start your own business?
I come from a background in banking
and finance, and after graduating
with a bachelor's degree in business
economics, I initially pursued a career
in the corporate world. However, deep
within me, I felt a burning passion
for something more, something
that would allow me to connect
with people on a personal level and
empower them to feel confident and
beautiful.
My passion for the beauty industry
was ignited by my own personal
experiences. When I moved to New
Zealand from the Philippines in
August 2019, I discovered that beauty
services were often unaffordable for
someone with a modest income like
mine. This realisation struck a chord
within me. I wanted to create a space
where everyone, regardless of their
budget, could indulge in self-care and
be pampered. That's when the idea
of Totally RAD Beauty started taking
shape.
I strongly believe that self-care
should be accessible to all individuals,
regardless of their financial situation.
Witnessing the positive impact that
quality beauty treatments can have
on a person's confidence and overall
well-being, I was inspired to establish
a business where affordability and
excellence go hand in hand.
When did your business launch and
what was its original focus?
Totally RAD Beauty officially launched
in June 2020, but our journey began
long before that. It started as a parttime
endeavor, a way to pursue my
passion for the beauty industry while
complementing my income. In the
beginning, my focus was on buying
and selling home beauty devices like
hand-held pore vacuums, facial spinning
brushes, and jade rollers – just small
stuff. It was a way to share affordable
tools for self-care.
However, as I offered free facials as a
promotion for those who purchased
the products, I was taken aback by the
overwhelming positive response. Clients
not only loved the facials but also
requested more and were willing to pay
for my service. This unexpected demand
opened my eyes to the potential of
providing comprehensive and effective
treatments that go beyond just selling
beauty devices.
As my clientele grew and my skills
expanded through continuous learning
and training, I saw the opportunity to
evolve the business. My goal became
clear: to provide exceptional services
that are both accessible and affordable,
ensuring that everyone can experience
the transformative effects of quality skin
and beauty treatments.
The passionate team behind Totally RAD Beauty:
Alliah Dion, Arianne Rabie-Dion, and Karen Tolin
The journey to a fully-fledged homebased
beauty clinic has been an exciting
and rewarding experience. I am grateful
for the trust and support of my clients,
which has allowed Totally RAD to grow
and expand our offerings. The journey
continues as we strive to stay at the
forefront of industry trends, provide
outstanding results, and make a positive
impact on our clients' lives.
What are the positives of a home-based
business?
Operating as a home-based beauty
clinic brings a unique set of advantages.
Firstly, it allows us to create an intimate
and cozy environment that fosters a
sense of relaxation and comfort for our
clients. They can enjoy personalised
attention and a peaceful atmosphere
away from the hustle and bustle of
larger establishments. Additionally,
being home-based enables us to offer
more competitive pricing, making
quality beauty services accessible to
a wider range of individuals. Being a
home-based business also has proven
to be beneficial during uncertain times,
such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike
businesses with commercial rent and
overhead expenses, operating from
a home-based setup alleviates the
financial pressure and allows us to adapt
more easily to changing circumstances.
This flexibility enables us to continue
providing our services and supporting
our clients during challenging times.
What are some challenges of a homebased
business?
Home-based businesses also face unique
challenges, including separating work
and personal life, limited visibility, and
client perception. Balancing work and
personal responsibilities can be difficult
when they coexist in the same space,
requiring discipline and effective time
management. Additionally, home-based
businesses may struggle with limited
visibility, as they may not have the same
exposure as larger establishments.
Building trust and credibility with clients
can also be a challenge, as some may
perceive home-based businesses as
less professional. However, with careful
planning, establishing boundaries,
effective marketing strategies, and a
commitment to professionalism, these
challenges can be overcome, enabling
the business to thrive.
What is the most challenging aspect of
owning and managing a small homebased
beauty clinic?
The most challenging aspect of owning
and managing a small home-based
beauty clinic, despite having a dedicated
team of therapists, is still the immense
workload and the diverse range of
responsibilities that come with it. While
I have a team of talented individuals
who support me, I am still heavily
involved in every aspect of the business.
From providing beauty treatments
to handling administrative tasks,
managing marketing efforts, creating
engaging content for social media,
actively reaching out to potential clients,
overseeing financial management,
maintaining inventories, ensuring proper
cleaning and maintenance, and even
maintaining our website, the list of
responsibilities is extensive.
To keep costs down and maintain the
financial stability of the clinic, I often
take a DIY approach, handling various
tasks myself. This requires a significant
amount of time, energy, and dedication,
but it allows me to provide exceptional
service to our clients while minimizing
expenses.
Despite the challenges, I find great
fulfillment in having a hands-on
approach and building deep connections
with my clients. Each day presents new
opportunities for growth and learning,
and I am constantly motivated to
improve and deliver the best possible
service.
While I may be the sole owner of the
clinic, I deeply value and appreciate
the contributions of my team. They
play a crucial role in the success of the
business, whether it's collaborating on
ideas, assisting with day-to-day tasks, or
providing support during busy periods.
Their dedication, expertise, and hard
work inspire me to create a positive work
environment where everyone can thrive.
What steps do you take to prioritize
self-care and relaxation amidst the
demands of running a home-based
beauty clinic?
It's easy to get caught up in the demands
of running a home-based beauty clinic,
but I firmly believe that self-care is
essential for long-term success and
happiness. By prioritizing self-care and
effectively managing my time, I ensure
that I have the energy and mental
clarity to thrive both personally and
professionally.
One of the advantages of being in
the beauty industry is that I have
the opportunity to try out different
treatments firsthand. When it comes to
self-care, one of my favorite indulgences
is having facials. However, since I'm
currently pregnant, I need to be mindful
of certain limitations. Nevertheless, I still
prioritize hydration and nourishment for
my skin.
In my personal skincare routine, I
love incorporating hydrating facials
with a soothing hydrojelly mask. This
combination infuses my skin with muchneeded
moisture, leaving it feeling
refreshed and revitalized. Additionally,
I rely on a range of products enriched
with Vitamin C. This powerful ingredient
not only brightens my complexion
but also provides antioxidant benefits,
helping to enhance my skin's radiance
and protect it from environmental
stressors.
Taking the time for self-care, including
caring for my skin, allows me to unwind,
recharge, and feel my best. It's an
essential part of my overall well-being
and helps me maintain a healthy worklife
balance.
Can you tell us about the range of
treatments you provide and why you
have chosen to focus on these?
At Totally RAD Beauty, we pride
ourselves on offering a comprehensive
range of treatments that cater to
the diverse needs of our clients.
Our services encompass a variety of
facials, advanced skin therapies such
as hydrafacials, oxygeneo, picosecond
laser rejuvenation, RF skin tightening,
microneedling, peels, etc. We also
provide body sculpting services, lash/
brow enhancements, waxing, makeup
application, and we will soon introduce
cosmetic teeth whitening.
Our focus on these treatments stems
from our commitment to meeting the
desires and requirements of our clients.
We believe in the transformative power
of skincare and beauty treatments and
strive to provide options that address
different concerns and goals. By offering
a diverse range of treatments, we
ensure that our clients have access
to the services they need to enhance
their natural beauty and boost their
confidence.
In addition to our wide range of
treatments, we place great importance
on continuous education and staying
updated with industry trends. We
regularly participate in training
programs, attend workshops, and
18 BEAUTYNZ MAGAZINE
WINTER 2023 EDITION
19