Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dyane MacKinnon, owner of The Complexion Apothecary, located in Toluca Lake, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

TCA is an eco-luxury salon & spa. What does that mean?
We offer hair color & cut, facials & waxing services, all while using the most eco-friendly luxury products in the world. Our clients are on a journey to be better for their bodies and the planet by reducing their toxic load and using sustainable & biodegradable products that actually work! Imagine not having to choose between your values of using cruelty-free, vegan and eco-friendly products and enjoying a luxurious day at the spa & salon!

Tell us about yourself

Over 20 years ago, I started as an assistant in a salon, and I was hooked!
The makeup artist and stylists were up early on weekends doing weddings before a busy Saturday of clients; they showed me there were endless avenues I could take in this industry. Since walking into that salon at age 14, I have been an assistant, manager, makeup artist & stylist, national trainer, teacher trainer, curriculum writer, and spa owner. I have also earned more than 13 certifications, bringing intention to my skincare, makeup, and eyelash services with reiki and crystal healing.

A few years ago, I became sick and triggered an autoimmune response; this led me down the path of reducing my toxic load by stopping the use of endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic personal care products for myself and in my work kit. I started with eating organic produce, free-range, local, grass-fed whole food, and then I moved to clean solutions and cooking tools, and I was down the rabbit hole searching for professional-grade hair and skincare that was not only healthy and eco-friendly, but they had to be scientifically proven to work… this is how I found Davines & Comfort Zone.

I have been motivated to bring luxurious spa and salon services to people who want to continue to enjoy coloring their hair and have facials without having to compromise their values.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner? I don’t think that has come yet… I have so many goals and plans for the future of The Complexion Apothecary, and I strive to be better tomorrow than I was today; I truly believe the best is yet to come!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The toughest part of being a business owner is finding staff that wants to be part of a team - part of a living, breathing business that works together to help everyone on the team rise up together. After 23 years, there isn’t much I haven’t come across, but the transient nature of stylists and technicians in this industry is always surprising.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The best advice for a new business owner is never expects anyone to care as much about your business as much as you do. Also, be prepared to work every day - there are no “days off” when you own a business and talk to your partner/family about the expectation the business will have and how it will be the first priority for you every day (even weekends and holidays) for as long as you own the business. You will answer emails and calls and even have to go to your office/physical location on birthdays, anniversaries, during vacations, and when you’re homesick. It’s just how it is. If you or your partner aren’t prepared for that, then owning a business isn’t for you.

The last piece of advice, it doesn’t matter how much you pay people; it matters that they are happy. Obviously, knowing that minimum wage is the LEAST you can pay someone and should only be paid to teenage part-time entry-level staff for a minimum of 3 months, but even paying people way over their expected wage but treating them terribly or allowing a toxic work environment to persist thinking paying them to deal with it is sufficient is definitely not going to work. It’s been proven that being happy far outweighs compensation, and people who enter high-paying low moral positions never stay long. This costs the business more to keep hiring and training than it costs to lower the wage slightly and change the working atmosphere and add benefits to all positions. Remember, the term “minimum wage” means it’s the very least you could do; you can always do better and should.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Please only start a business in an industry you have experience in. If you want to have a franchise burger place, go work at one for a minimum of 6 months before you decide to go ahead with purchasing the business. You should know what you’re expecting people to do for you, what it actually takes to do the job, and if you’re compensating them fairly for what you’re expecting of them.

Too often, I’ve seen a business run by people who have no education, training, or experience in all the positions in their business, and it really shows. The staff is never happy when they feel someone who doesn’t know how to do the job tells them how to do it and then doesn’t compensate them properly for it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thecomplexionapothecary.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecomplexionapothecary/

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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