Business always has something new to teach you
No matter how much you know or what you’ve been through, in business there is always more to learn.
Carina Hubbard spoke about the lessons she learnt on her entrepreneurial journey, at the A-Round Ten Business Clusters (ARTBC) meeting, hosted by Gryphon Enterprise Development, recently.
The ARTBC is a business breakfast forum featuring guest speakers who share their stories of success and what they learnt along the way.
Hubbard, the owner of Beauty on the Square, said she’s been in the beauty industry for 19 years.
“Shortly after I started as a technician, I was running the business where I worked,” she said.
“After that, I studied in England, waiting for an opportunity to work on a cruise liner.
“The liner I eventually got onto was a Disney ship and it was the best experience I’ve had.
“I went in thinking I know everything, but then realised I don’t and I had to start from the bottom.”
Hubbard said she worked hard during her time on the cruise liner, rarely getting breaks and being under continual pressure to reach her quota, or face losing this dream job.
The beauty expert next worked at a five-star spa in Sandton, where her experience on the cruise liner helped her tremendously.
Eventually, Hubbard bought a small salon in Northmead, called Beauty on the Square.
“I thought it would be easy, especially after all the hard work I’d gone through, but it wasn’t,” she said.
“There was a lot of physical damage to inventory, which I didn’t check before buying it and one of the nail technicians working there at the time was very strong-willed.
“Many customers complained about her service, but she was adamant she was doing it right.
“I went through a lot to try change her way of doing things, but eventually I had to let her go.
“After that, the dynamics changed so much and although I had more resignations while I tried to train the others, eventually things worked out better.
“Today, I’m very proud of my business, knowing where it is today compared to when I bought it.”
The ARTBC breakfasts are held every month, at the Marechelle Country Estate, in Kempton Park, from 7.30am to 8.30am.
For more information, contact Bonnie Chimanikire on 011 849 9481.
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