Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gina Srey, the founder of Beauty Gate, a beauty salon, in Ottawa ON and Laval QC, Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
Making you look and feel good is our daily routine! Our customers are people who like to "self-care" - and rightfully so!
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
When I was growing up I knew that I wanted to be a singer or have my own beauty salon one day. Although I do still sing in the shower, singing did not happen for me on a professional level; but the latter did. I wasn’t the best in school. I ended up dropping out half way through High School to pursue my interests, and jumped head first into the beauty industry. 9 years later; I can confidently say that I have no regrets. I am now the owner of 2 locations in neighbouring provinces, as well as an Academy that offers private and online training. I wanted to create a clean, professional, and reliable space where everyone is welcome and everyone is happy. When you visit us at Beauty Gate you are entering a space where you can leave all your problems and worries at the door, and get the results that you came in looking for.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Prior to going into business for myself, I worked for a number of businesses in my time starting out as an aesthetician.I rented a small room in a clinic full of entrepreneurs in 2017. The room was approximately the size of a small walk-in closet, so the space I had was extremely limited but I made it work. 3 years and 2 kids later, I've found myself with 2 full size salons in neighbouring provinces, and teaching dozens of students every year. I'm extremely thankful!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
We truly are unusual creatures. The truth is that 99% of the time, you are in it alone. You can have successful friends, peers, and role models galore - but even if you ask for guidance, you most likely will not be given the roadmap to success, the rules of business, or any concrete advice unless you have paid for it. As an entrepreneur, there will be walls that you have to hit, holes you have to jump, and mistakes that you will have to make. That is 768491387% certain. This is every business man and woman's initiation into the world of financial freedoms. The trick is to weather the storm. Be patient and great at what you do. For indeed, with hardship comes ease.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
1. Trust in yourself and hustle.
2. Research and actively take advantage of every free resource, government program available to small businesses.
3. Think big and then go bigger.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd like to give a moment of recognition to every single person who had enough courage to take life by the collar and said "I'm gonna do this!" Whether their business idea ended up working out for them or not. It is so easy for naysayers to talk and say "it's a bad idea" or "that sounds risky..", but no one ever did anything worth it while playing it safe. For those who freely choose the 65-hour work weeks in the hope of working less later. For those who took the scary steps that most wouldn't dare to. For those who thought that it was "Crazy... so crazy that it might work" and were crazy enough to make it work. This one is for you.
Where can people find you online?
https://www.beautygate.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/_beautygate/
https://www.instagram.com/_bgacademy/
https://www.facebook.com/BeautyGateServices/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach 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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