Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alicia Ramos, Founder of Smoothe Denver, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At Smoothe Denver, we're proud to offer the highest quality skincare to our clients. With a focus on continued education and advanced modalities, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled results and exquisite care. Every client receives custom, specialized skin care for their skin type and their desired results, culminating in an experience that is as fruitful as it is rejuvenating.
Tell us about yourself
Being a solo woman entrepreneur has been a big part of my life story and success. I strongly believe in the power to create your future if you're given the right tools and put in the hard work. I began my business seven years ago and invested wholeheartedly into the equipment and business building blocks that I would need to be successful. Investing so much at the beginning of a business can be intimidating, but I surrounded myself with other strong entrepreneurs, many of them also females, to keep me inspired and working every day towards my goals. Providing the best service to each and every customer gave me momentum to believe that people really should be coming to my business for my services because I was confident that I gave them the best service for their unique needs. On hard days, or during hard seasons like 2020 has brought us, I look back and focus on gratitude for being able to do what I love and have clients who trust me with their skincare. Through it all, my staff and I are committed to providing the best service to our clients and focusing on what gets us through the hard times. Nothing beats a smile on a client's face after they are treated at Smoothe!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Customer service has always been at the core of my work and life values. In the esthetics industry, I am given the opportunity every day to help others feel better about their skin, and it's a true honor! I love going the extra mile and surprising a client with extra special touches during their appointments, and I think it goes a long way. At Smoothe Denver, we aren't just placing an order for a facial; we are looking at the individual and meeting some of their needs they maybe didn't even realize. Going the extra mile creates trust and continues to bring our clients back to us for that special touch. I truly think that the clients of Smoothe feel cared for in a unique way that is sanitary and industry-leading.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
What are the hardest challenges we faced today was going through the pandemic. It was challenging reaching our customers and having them feel safe coming in for treatments. And navigating ever-changing rules and regulations.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Hire the right team.
Success depends on having the right people in the right roles. While hiring a team can be a challenge, especially in the early days where budgets are limited, and you only have the capital to hire one or two key people, the people you bring onto your team are ultimately either going to help or hinder your success. When you find the right people, you make your job easier as a business owner. - Perseverance is everything.
In any business, there are many trials and tribulations amongst the successes. The key is to not let things get you down but to instead take those challenges and use them to fuel your drive and desire. It takes perseverance to push through the challenges to come out on the other side and achieve success. - Be Passionate.
You don't have to love whatever your business is about, but you do have to be fired up about it. You're going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful enterprise, so it's really important that you truly deeply enjoy what you do.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd like to give a shout-out to all of the personal service industry providers for continuing to provide our community with safe and much-needed care. This has been a tough year, and it's encouraging to be in this fight together with other strong business owners.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.smoothedenver.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmootheDenver/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoothedenver/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-ramos-010885130/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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