Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:08 Hello and welcome to the Insync Insurance Podcast. I'm your host, Dawn Cross, and today we'll be interviewing Karen Peak, who owns your own beauty business. So to start off with, could you introduce yourself for us?
Speaker 2 00:00:23 Yes, of course. So I am Karen Peak of Karen Peak Aesthetics, S P M U and Training Limited. I am based in China's Ford in Southampton. Um, my business was established eight years ago. Uh, since then I would say I started off with permanent makeup. I started teaching that pretty soon after I start, well I say pretty soon, um, two years after I started, um, with a very well known training company, finishing touches. Um, two years after that I sort of just literally plowed um, any sort of income back into the company. So continue to train, train, train. Um, and then decided to add aesthetics about four years ago now. Um, and I just think it works hand in hand, especially for the amount with knowledge that I had to have in order to teach. Um, it was a natural progression for me. So now I encompass everything. Um, you'll notice in the um, sort of way that I explain the business it's training as well. However, what I've done more recently is tailored that to bespoke packages. So master classes, one-to-one classes to really bring people on and their knowledge and skill, um, and business mentorship as well. I think that's missing. A lot of people will train in the given sector and then they don't actually know where to start when it comes to running a business. So I sort of incorporate that in with my training.
Speaker 1 00:01:49 Oh wow. That sounds amazing and it's something is really great that you've seen where there's kind of gaps as you've kind of worked in the industry to help others who are starting out, which is really amazing and nice to hear actually. <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:02:03 Definitely. Um, a lot of question when people are looking to offer masterclasses or to go on a masterclass, they generally will ask, you know, oh, how do I know if I'll be successful? Um, you know, can you guarantee that's not on me? Like I can train a skillset quite easily. I can't train that sort of drive that it takes to start a business. And I think if you speak to any business owner in any sector of work, it takes commitment, it takes drive, passion. You have to love what you're doing and you have to have patience and strength purely because there's going to be a lot, a lot of hurdles. I mean, given the last two to three years, that was a rather large hurdle globally.
Speaker 1 00:02:49 <laugh>. Yeah, definitely. Um,
Speaker 2 00:02:51 But you have to keep plowing on and you have to keep developing yourself, your company. Um, yeah, just, just keep going with it. Focus on your own lane and keep going with it.
Speaker 1 00:03:02 That's really fab advice. So I think just to start off with, for any of our audience who maybe is quite unsure what is actually like semi-permanent makeup?
Speaker 2 00:03:12 Okay, so semi-permanent in itself, um, it's quite misleading. Um, it's quite controversial 'cause our American counterparts basically will argue the fact it's permanent makeup. And I'll be honest with you, I agree with them. Um, reason being anything that breaks the skin and adds pigmentation to the top layer of the skin, um, is a form of tattooing. Um, semi-permanent makeup to me gives supremist that it's actually not permanent, it's semi and it will completely disappear. Now whenever you have semi-permanent makeup, depending on which layer of the skin, um, the technician works on, shall we say. So if you are new, you may not know your skin levels. There will be a degree of pigmentation left in the skin. So I do agree with you, our American counterparts, and I agree it is permanent makeup. Um, but it is commonly known in the UK as semi-permanent makeup.
Speaker 2 00:04:08 Um, and it's a technique whereby you can implant, um, medical grade pigment to any area. It could be cosmetic so you can eyebrows, eyeliner, lips, um, and for medical reasons as well. So all of these are part of what, what I have, what I offer and what I teach. Um, so you can have breast reconstruction. So something really close to my heart. I actually have an Ariola Foundation set up after my nan's, um, my nan's name, legacy, whatever you would like. Um, and that was actually part of my reasoning for coming into permanent makeup in the first place. Um, and obviously vitiligo, so skin conditions you can work on as well. Um, hair restoration. So all of these things I've literally just kept learning and learning and learning, um, and adding to my business and my skillset, which sort of leads me to where we are today. So I've had a busy eight years. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:05:05 No, it sounds really impressive. So you mentioned a bit about your nan, if you don't mind, could ask a little bit more 'cause I wanted to know a bit more about, uh, what made you go into this type of beauty business, obviously. Yeah, everyone gets asked about career stuff and um, yeah. You know, a lot of people like to know the, the why's.
Speaker 2 00:05:23 Yeah, of course. Um, so I'm quite open about this as well 'cause I'm sort of, I'm proud about the sort of road that I've taken on the way in and everyone has their own reasons for setting up different businesses. Um, so basically when my son was born, I was like, right, if I'm going to leave him, um, I need to do something I absolutely love. Um, I used to do a lot of high, high profile jobs, if you like, where you commit so, so many hours. So, um, estate agency, I was in that for 10 years following that. Um, I was in recruitment. So all of these, you really have to work so, so, so many hours, including the evenings, including the weekends. Mm. Um, so it was really important to me that my new, um, vocation career. And I did see it as that complete career change.
Speaker 2 00:06:10 It was really important that that was something that I could balance rather than live at work. Um, my son was born and I was like, right, if I leave this special human, it has to be for the right reasons. Um, now, sadly before my son was born, my nan passed away and she was like a second mom to me. She lovely, lovely lady. Um, now she was always in the forefront of, um, supporting breast cancer charities. Yeah. And whenever we were out or we'd going around town, she would always like grab us, you know, like the bands that go around your wrist or the slap bands, you know, we're like kids. It was, it was fun to buy all the pink stuff, pink ribbon. Um, so she always absolutely supported that. She had a lot of French, that really sociable lady, so she'd lost a lot of people to that as well.
Speaker 2 00:06:56 Um, sadly it was bowel cancer that government got some and not breast cancer, but when she died, um, obviously I was left some monies. Um, and it was something that I really thought like, I want to do something, I want to give something back. Like, I wouldn't have the opportunity to do something like this unless she'd passed. And that's really sad. Um, but anyone's first investment into permanent makeup, it's a large one. It's a large risk to take. I think my first course was seven and a half thousand pounds, so you can see how you would need an initial investment in order to start that business. Um, so basically on her passing, um, I contacted finishing touches who, um, I still speak to today. And the amazing lady at the end of the phone. Probably the only person apart from the mentors that I've met along the way who said, Karen, I've got to tell you, if you just train in breast work, you won't make a business out of it.
Speaker 2 00:07:55 I highly recommend you train in semi-permanent makeup first. Um, browse again, weren't really a thing. Funnily enough, I'd already had mine done at that point and they were horrendous. <laugh>, I must add because it's come a long way. You know what, literally when I had mine done, it was literally they were drawn on and tattooed quickly and they were the horrendous sort of, you know, the lines. Yeah, yeah. That wasn't, yeah, <laugh>, they were tattooed. Obviously they've come a long way, they've prone <laugh>. Um, but basically that's what I had already. So I knew about it and I thought, right, okay, if that's what you're saying, we need to do the permanent makeup first. Um, but I would done that always with the mindset I'm going to work in on, in breast work. I'm going to work with surgeons, I'm going to help these ladies have back what they never asked to retake away, taken away.
Speaker 2 00:08:41 Yeah. And that was really important to me. So within six months of my initial training, which is is tough going like, yes, you're given the skillset. You are not given, you know, it's impossible to learn until you are on the job, the depths and you know, what shading technique is best, what needle is best. There's so much to take in and I think people really are miss, they misinterpret what the job is sometimes and they think it's easy and you're just drawing on. It's nothing to do with that. You know, it's nothing to do with that. This is such a big deal for these ladies that you're working on, um, whether you are doing a breast reconstruction, brow reconstruction, this is a huge, huge thing. When a client comes to you and they trust you with their breast or their face, if they've got an inkling that they think, oh, you know, does this person really know what they're doing?
Speaker 2 00:09:30 Sadly, I have a lot of reconstruction in my clinic. I have a laser room as well. So, um, sadly a lot of the time we have to laser before we then continue the work. Um, and I've had all sorts of reconstructions from hair to breast to brow. Um, sadly it's really, really common. So it's so, so important to make sure that you are working, um, with the right training company, if you like, from the off. Um, and yeah, that's something that I'm actually work we're working on at the moment. Um, behind the scenes is some something whereby you can approach and, and ask, you know, where can we go? Um, because myself, I offer masterclass, so you need to be trained already in order to come to me, whereas I can give you an idea of where to go for the, the people that will offer the foundation courses. So you are going along the right path. And that's something I wish I had, um, all of those years ago as someone to say to me, Karen, this is what you need to do. This is the path to take. Um, so yeah, I hope that's a full, full and informative answer. <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:10:32 No, it, it was a absolutely fabulous answer and as well, it's, um, especially with everything going on in the industry at the minute, it's so key to find that right training provider that really kind of goes through things with you and makes you feel confident to go out into the world.
Speaker 2 00:10:47 I would even say on that note, you know, it's, I feel for people getting into the industry now. Mm. Because it's an absolute minefield. Yeah. Um, I've seen courses out there for 500 pounds. If we bear in mind, um, you know, for me, when I take a day out of the clinic for a masterclass, I don't make as much money as I would in clinic still. Um, so it has to be the right person. So I actually interview the person before they come and train with me. Yeah. Because I know I need to know what they want. I need to know if I can help them, which generally I can. Yeah. 'cause all they're missing sadly is your basic knowledge or like, they'll be using the wrong needle or they'll be going in at the wrong angle. Um, and that's aesthetics and permanent makeup. It'll be the little things where they've gone to training and it's like 10 to one mentorship.
Speaker 2 00:11:41 That's insane to me. Um, every training I've ever been on bar one has been two to one, one-to-one, pay the extra money, you know, you are going to get a one-to-one service. And I'm proud to say all of my girls still, you know, people I've trained five years ago, they still come back to me now. They still get that one-to-one service. They're still on my WhatsApp. And do you know what? They don't ask questions every day, but they've got the access to me if they need to. Yeah. And I think that's the difference because the, the 500 pound courses, believe me, you won't get an answer, you won't get support out of them after. Um, and they probably would've gone bust by the time you come back to complain about it.
Speaker 1 00:12:16 Oh yeah. Sad.
Speaker 2 00:12:17 Very, very sad. But it's very, very common. So, um, hopefully Well, I know, I know. 'cause we're working on it at the moment. At the moment we have something whereby this is really going to cut, cut that loose, cut that situation loose because it's a minefield and it's not fair. Especially when people have gone, paid a lot of money for the training and then been given that same sort of level. So a 10 to one where they don't even know about complications or a massive chunk of their training is missing and it puts them on the back foot before their, before their career was even started.
Speaker 1 00:12:50 Yeah, no, I completely agree. Uh, lihi, you've, you've answered like the re almost the rest of my questions like very easily for that entire I'm convers No, it's fine. It's, it's amazing 'cause you, you know, you're on it, you, you know what you wanna talk about. Um, and it's actually really refreshing. I wonder if you could speak to me a bit more about your areola and hair follicle reconstruction treatments. 'cause obviously you say that obviously it tends to be a bit more of a free service that you give. Um, yeah. And other people give, uh, yeah, if you just, just love a bit more info on that. We,
Speaker 2 00:13:22 Um, start with breast work mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, to completely do two different things, both generally for medical reasons, um, but very, very different paths that, um, the clientele would've been down in order to get where they're coming. So, um, I started breast work I said about six months after. Um, I initially trained, so about seven years ago or so ish, give or take a few months. I know we lost a few years with the pandemic. So yeah, <laugh> seven. Um, and basically it's something like I said, that was the forefront of, um, what I wanted to do. I wanted to do that for permanent makeup. Um, but I had that bit of structuring from my lovely colleague on the phone saying, no, no, you need to do makeup first. Um, I took it upon myself at that time to decide I don't want to charge for this.
Speaker 2 00:14:12 Um, the way that I see it, the ladies who need the breast reconstruction, they sadly have been on such a journey and they've had so much taken from them already that actually, you know, by the time they get to having the breast tissue removed, um, that's caused them all the issues. It, they're already, you know, about as, as low on their immunity and sort of how they're feeling in themselves that they just, they just need to get through and, you know, head, head the other side of the journey, if you like. So, um, I decided very early, I'm not going to charge for the service now. The fact that I have such an, an incredible business, um, gives me the freedom to do that. So I'm really, really grateful for that. And I always continue to tell all of my ladies that come to me for all of the cosmetic work and the aesthetics.
Speaker 2 00:15:02 Um, you know, don't forget you are, you are really giving back by coming to me because you allow me to do those work on those ladies for free. I wouldn't be able to do it if my business wasn't successful. I wouldn't be able to offer my time for free. And I can. And I love it. Um, and now, you know, every GP referral specialist, referral surgeon referral, um, every time I get that referral through the door and I always ask where they've come from, it's just, it's just a little bit of a blessing to me to give back. And I, I'm of a firm believer as well, if you put good out there, you will get good back. Mm-hmm. Um, and yeah, it's a nice thing to do breast work. By the time they come to this, they've already been through all of their treatment, they've had the breast reconstruction and you are literally adding, um, excuse the pun, the cherry onto the cake.
Speaker 2 00:15:51 That's what a lot of them say. You're literally finishing off my look, you know, um, some of them have nipple reconstruction, some of them don't. Um, so you really are finishing off, um, finishing off the beautiful piece of artwork now. There's been so much, um, hoo-ha if you like, in social media with us being able to display our work. Um, I myself was actually blocked for, um, 30 days over a Christmas period about three years ago. So our busiest time, I couldn't even speak to my clients because I'd actually put, um, a video or it might have been a video clip or a photo on some of my breast work. Um, and because Facebook had taken it down time and time again, even though we've put on there, you know, post mastectomy, this doesn't go against your rules and regulations. We are allowed to to post these things.
Speaker 2 00:16:41 Um, sad sadly, like I said, I was blocked for 30 days, which had a massive impact on my business. Um, and it's crazy. But I, what I am happy about is the lady that I chose to teach me this, her name's Vicki Martin. Yeah. Um, and most people would've heard of her. She's absolutely incredible. She's an absolute force. And the mindset that this lady has, um, I'm very, very proud to say she's one of my mentors. Um, her work is incredible. And if you're looking for training, I would always say go to in any area, go to the person that you've been watching. You love their work, you love how they are. Um, and I had all of that with Vicki and I couldn't wait to train with her. And I feel very blessed that I did. She gave me a fantastic skill. Um, it's the three D technique that I offer and I absolutely enjoy doing it.
Speaker 2 00:17:30 I really thoroughly enjoy doing it. So, um, there's not even like a limit to what I do a month if loads. You know, if I've got three or four ladies, if I've got 10 ladies, I really don't mind. Um, I literally just get them in, pop them into my day and the reward for me at the end of it, you know, when they see what you've done, um, they, they, they don't have any words. They're like, I can't thank you enough. Oh. Um, and it's a real, it's a really rewarding job. And let's not forget that was my whole reason for going into it, <laugh>. So I will always do that as, as long as I'm, you know, physically able to, I will always do the breast work. It's amazing. Um, so we could go on to scalp, um, I'm smiling away 'cause I just know like how many lives I've changed in that time.
Speaker 2 00:18:20 Um, also teaching, you know, I've gone into, um, the breast care unit in, um, Glasgow or Edinburgh. Basically when I was working with finishing touches, they sent me up there to teach two breast nurse nurses that I, I now know that actually those two nurses alone would've, you know, worked on so many different ladies, like it's life changing. So that was really rewarding as well, just knowing that they'll be, be able to continue to give. Yeah. Um, really nice concept as well. So I start smiling about that, which is <laugh>. Ah, I love it. Um, so moving on to hair reconstruction. So I was really, really blessed enough to meet, um, the number one and trained with the number one, um, SS m P technician, um, in the world. He is at the moment, Matt Ulo. Um, he came over and he taught maybe five or six of us.
Speaker 2 00:19:16 Um, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. It was really, really crazy time. No one had heard of it. Um, hair reconstruction and scalp hadn't hit the UK at all, I must say that at all. Um, and Matt Uler come over to, um, work with finishing touches and work with us and I was like, this is so an area I want to invest in. Um, again, when I had my son, I was really affected personally by hair loss. Um, I was breastfeeding and like a lot of ladies, when you have a new child, your hair's falling out anyway. Um, when I used to put it up in a ponytail, my sort of side areas would go right back to the point I started wearing headbands. Um, so that was something which really personally affected me. So I could immediately see why you would have it done.
Speaker 2 00:20:02 And I thought, wow, this, it looks like magic and it is magic. Um, so this is something I invested in at the time. Um, and it's, it's great for everyone. So males, females, long hair, short hair, everything in, in between. Um, whether it's just scattering around the front, if you're a lady wears your hair up, whether it's um, alopecia when you've, you know, you've got a small patch, large patch all over if it's a guy with alopecia and they have um, any, any type of hair loss we can work with. And it just went hand in hand with my, um, with everything else that I was doing. So again, it's really, really, really rewarding. Um, I do charge for that surface service because it takes so, so, so long. Um, and also there was a permanent and a semi-permanent, um, option so they can have it for roundabout two years.
Speaker 2 00:20:52 They can have the permanent option, they'll need a review every 10 years. Um, but it is one of the most opening and life-changing training that I've done. Um, however, you know, it's not my main market at all, but it's again, it's really, really rewarding. I think anything, um, the vitiligo, skin camouflage, again, it's life changing for those who need it. So, um, I love having the whole medical side to my business and the whole cosmetic side and then the aesthetics on top of that. Everything just works really, really well and I would guess is why the business does so, so well itself.
Speaker 1 00:21:31 No, that sounds really amazing and the fact that you're so passionate as well helps really showcase how proud you are of your work, but also the willingness to meet Sure that it's absolutely top notch for your customers as well. Definitely. You know, some people just go, oh yeah, that's fine and, and everything else. But you know, you, I mean you're saying you've trained with some of the most top people as well, which sounds amazing
Speaker 2 00:21:53 Opportunity. Um, one thing I would say like a message to any um, new technicians out there, you know, that have done one course and they're like, I dunno why my work doesn't look quite as I want it. Keep reinvesting in yourself. It's so, so important. I can honestly say for the first five or six years, probably five or six years, I literally didn't have, um, you know, I didn't go and buy the handbag that I wanted, <laugh> I didn't go and buy, you know, luxury things because I knew I had to plow it back into my business to give it the level that it needed to get it to the level that it needed to be. Mm-hmm. Um, and I did that. I kept reinvesting, I kept reinvesting. Um, I've actually got, like in my clinic, I displayed all about 12 of my certificates because when people come in and they're in the waiting area, they can then see everything that I've done in my time, which at the moment is just totaled over a hundred thousand pounds worth of training.
Speaker 2 00:22:50 So I know my stuff and this again is why some people say you heard of something, um, you know, reassuringly expensive when you go for a treatment or you go to buy the best handbag or you know, you can apply that to any part of life, can't you really? Um, and yes, because my price is reflective of the amount of training that I've done and it can even be down to aftercare. My aftercare is completely different to anyone else in my area and I know that 'cause I've taken four courses, four pieces of information, I've rolled it all together and that's my aftercare package. So I know that what I'm putting out there is worth what they're paying me in return. And all I can say to any newbies, keep investing in yourself and you won't go far wrong because your clientele will follow what you're doing and they'll be impressed with what you're doing and they'll keep coming back 'cause they keep wanting the new upgraded version of whatever you were doing last year.
Speaker 1 00:23:45 Um, yeah. Speaking of knowledge actually for any people kind of cracking into the industry, do you have any other kind of tips or um, advice for those who are just starting out?
Speaker 2 00:23:57 Yes, it is a massive minefield. Um, and I feel for you guys at the moment 'cause it's even more of a minefield than it was when I started. Um, I would say go for the people that you've been watching for a while. Research, research. Find out their aftercare package. Because if you've got someone who's going to just train skillset and then never answer your phone call again, believe me, this industry is very, very lonely. Once you are trained, once you are in your own clinic, you are alone. Um, there are forums. I don't find forums helpful. I think they're toxic. I think you've got lots of people that know a lot and lots of people that don't. And they're the ones that tend to argue, I don't get involved, I don't watch, I don't look if I'm added, I don't add myself, <laugh>. Um, I just think there are so many different ways to educate yourself.
Speaker 2 00:24:52 Forums aren't the one. Um, but it's really nice to see the beautiful work. You know, when things do go right, that's a really positive thing. Um, so look at different people who you want to train with. Learn about those people. Learn about their businesses. Are they good businesses? Are they successful? Are they successful in themselves? Because if they're not, then you're investing the the wrong sort. Um, you know, you're investing in the wrong people because they're not going to help you get on your feet. It's very different to learn a skillset and go out and do it yourself than to learn a skillset and start developing a business. And this is probably the toughest market there has ever been in my, you know, certainly in my time. And I'm very, very blessed that I've got that eight years behind me. 'cause they're the people that when it's slightly quieter, they keep me going.
Speaker 2 00:25:40 If you're starting out alone, um, you've got not, not got a clue where to go to. There are now another hundred people in your area that are doing the same thing, starting out the same as you. Um, so just make sure you've got that level of support after. Because I would say actually yes, you pay a lot of money to be at, at a good course, but at the same time, that aftercare and that, oh, you know, could I have done anything different with this set and oh, this lady's saying this, what do I say back? That's the bit you're going to need. And that's the bit that I've had with all my trainees and I always will have. And with my masterclass trainees now, you know, for me it was important to cut out the basic, the say basic, the foundation training because I love to perfect things.
Speaker 2 00:26:23 So when I see someone who's got great techniques, but I can make them better, that's exciting to me. And that's why I drop the foundation training and now I teach in master classes and I absolutely love it. And I've met some incredible people along that journey and people that I know I've helped. And that's where I get my sort of, um, what's the word? Gratitude. And I feel blessed to have met these people and to have helped 'em on their journey because I know it's, it's it's both ways. And as much as I love teaching them, they've loved what they've taken away. And I see that when they review my, my training and stuff. And that's really, really another level of job satisfaction for me.
Speaker 1 00:27:03 That sounds absolutely amazing and it's really good advice as well. Uh, I don't really see much in terms of like, I mean obviously you said with the forums, you know, there's lots of forums out there, but I think especially if people don't wanna join them, you know, that's really good advice, uh, to just to hear from someone else in the industry instead of just, um, you know, oh, you need to do only certain this course and stuff like that when actually it's just such a refreshing perspective. Yeah. Um, is there anything else you'd like to mention before we wrap up the episode?
Speaker 2 00:27:37 I live with the mindset. You have to take the risk. There's gonna be some that pull off, there's gonna be some risks that don't. Um, I've been very lucky. Every risk I've always taken has always pulled off and that's how I live. Um, I wouldn't like to not take the risk and never know if it would've worked or not. So always take the risk.
Speaker 1 00:27:58 A big thank you to my guest, Karen, for sharing her insight on semi-permanent makeup and micro-pigmentation treatment that she does within her own business. If you'd like to know more, head to our website in sync insurance.co.uk where we have more on our blog with posts written by our brilliant experts. I've been your host, Dawn Cross and tune in next week for another episode. NSYNC is one of the UK's fastest growing insurance providers, offering comprehensive covers for SMEs and the self-employed across the uk. Our expert team can tailor your insurance to meet your individual business needs and compare prices from my Lloyds of London approved partners.
