Beauty Business Matters

Susan engages in an inspiring conversation with entrepreneur Lara Morgan, who shares her remarkable journey from founding Pacific Direct, a company that grew to a £20 million global enterprise, to her current role as an investor in various brands. Lara reflects on her unique upbringing, the influence of her entrepreneurial parents, and the lessons learned from her early experiences in business. Sh...

Susan shares her exciting plans for 2026, including her move to Mallorca and the launch of a new mastermind program designed for salon and clinic owners looking to elevate their businesses. Susan discusses the importance of having a clear vision and strategy, emphasising the unique elements of her mastermind that combine one-on-one coaching with group collaboration. She explains her trademarked st...

https://hairandbeautycharity.org/ Susan is joined by Sarah Hashim and Natalie Merola from the Hair and Beauty Charity. They discuss the vital work the charity does to support individuals in the hair and beauty industry who are facing financial crises due to circumstances such as illness, domestic abuse, or homelessness. The conversation highlights the charity's commitment to not only assist the af...

Susan welcomes Artur Szelwach, affectionately dubbed the "king of sterilisation." The discussion delves into the critical yet often overlooked topic of sterilisation in the beauty industry. Arta shares his journey into the world of sterilisation, highlighting the importance of hygiene and safety standards in salons. They explore the differences between sterilisation and disinfection, the effective...

Susan Routledge welcomes Helen Portman Brooks, known as the Beauty Brand Connector. Helen shares her unique journey from beauty therapist to freelance business development manager and trainer, highlighting her passion for connecting smaller brands with industry professionals who need their products. The conversation delves into Helen's early career, her transition into sales, and the importance of...

Susan sits down with Sarah, a resilient entrepreneur and cancer survivor, to discuss her remarkable journey through the beauty industry and her battle with ovarian cancer. Sarah shares her experiences of starting a mobile beauty business at just 19, the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the life-altering diagnosis that forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. As they delve in...

Susan welcomes Vicky Hendry, the chair of the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE) and owner of the clinic Face Up. They delve into Vicki's extensive career in the beauty industry, exploring her journey from her early days in beauty therapy to her current role in promoting electrolysis, a treatment that has been around for 150 years. Vicki shares her insights on the importance...

Susan welcomes Susanne Webb from the Skin Blemish Removal Clinic, who shares her remarkable journey in the beauty industry. With over 30 years of experience, Susanne discusses her unique approach to business, thriving without social media and relying solely on local magazine advertisements and word-of-mouth referrals. She delves into her passion for advanced cosmetic procedures, emphasising the li...

Susan brings together insightful clips from various guests, highlighting their unique journeys and experiences in the beauty industry. The episode features David Alpert from IIAA, who shares the inspiring story of how he and Tracy built their skincare brand, Environ, from humble beginnings in South Africa to becoming a significant player in the UK market. Vicky Ross discusses the importance of min...

In this special anniversary episode of Beauty Business Matters, Susan reflects on a year filled with inspiring stories and valuable insights from industry experts. The episode features highlights from interviews with notable guests such as Arif Isikgun, who shares his transformative journey in the beauty industry, and Josh Yardley, whose first client was Princess Diana. Listeners will also hear fr...

Susan welcomes AI strategist Marnie Wills, an expert in the field of artificial intelligence and its applications in business. Marnie shares her inspiring journey from being an international athlete to becoming a successful entrepreneur and AI strategist. The conversation delves into the transformative power of AI, discussing practical ways to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper for business...

Susan welcomes Natalie Jackson, the 2025 Professional Beauty Electrologist of the Year at NJ Skin Clinic. Natalie shares her inspiring journey into the world of electrolysis, detailing her initial reluctance towards the discipline during her training in beauty therapy, which began in 1989. As she recounts her experiences, Natalie highlights the transformative power of advanced cosmetic procedures...

DESCRIPTION Susan welcomes the incredibly special guest James Knight, the founder of IMA, a universal colour-based language designed to help people connect and understand one another better. Celebrating 50 years since its founding, James shares the fascinating origin story of iMA, which grew from his time at the Dale Carnegie organization and his desire to effectively "look at things from the othe...

Susan welcomes Maria Rylett-Byrd, a renowned corneotherapy consultant, to discuss the fascinating world of corneotherapy and its significance in skin health. Maria explains that corneotherapy focuses on preserving the epidermis and its function, emphasizing the importance of protecting the skin barrier. She shares her journey from traditional beauty therapy to specializing in skin health, highligh...

Susan sits down with Stephanie Podmore, the owner of Escape Beauty and Skin, to explore her unique journey into entrepreneurship. Stephanie shares her transition from aspiring sports professional to successful salon owner, detailing the challenges she faced, including navigating motherhood and the impact of COVID-19 on her business. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding fina...

Susan welcomes Nikki Madani, the founder of Hypo21, a revolutionary skincare product that has garnered acclaim across the beauty industry. Nikki shares her unique journey from a successful career in dentistry to creating a product that addresses the need for effective aftercare in aesthetic treatments. With a background in dental nursing and a passion for entrepreneurship, Nikki discusses the scie...

Susan interviews Rebecca Elsden, the first author featured since the release of the bestselling book "Beauty and the Best 3." Rebecca shares her inspiring journey in the beauty industry, starting from her childhood passion for beauty to overcoming challenges in her career, including the impact of the pandemic on her business. She discusses her transition from working in salons to establishing her...

Susan welcomes brand and vision expert Jojo Smith from CreativSAS. The conversation dives deep into the critical distinction between "brand" and "branding," emphasising that true branding goes beyond visuals to encompass values, personality, and emotional connection. Jojo shares her inspiring backstory, detailing her journey from the corporate world to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and highl...

Susan welcomes her dear friend Jo Simpson, a financial expert and founder of the Financial Growth Academy. Jo shares her unexpected journey into the world of finance, emphasising the importance of understanding money as a tool for personal wealth generation. The conversation delves into Jo's experiences in the beauty and fashion industries, her approach to bookkeeping, and the significance of buil...

DESCRIPTION Susan sits down with Verity and Lauren from Mary Haworth Beauty Culture, a family-run UK salon with a 70-year legacy, potentially the country’s oldest. They explore the inspiring history of the salon, founded by Verity’s grandmother, a pioneering female entrepreneur in the 1950s. Verity and Lauren share stories of her innovative spirit, the evolution of beauty treatments, and the impor...

Susan welcomes Andrew Priestley, an executive coach and seasoned publisher, to discuss the transformative power of storytelling in the beauty industry. With over 14 years of friendship and collaboration, Susan and Andrew delve into the success of the "Beauty and the Best" book series, highlighting how it empowers non-writers to share their unique journeys and insights. Andrew shares his extensive...

In this episode of Beauty Business Matters, host Susan welcomes Marianne Page, a systems and training expert with over 27 years of experience at McDonald’s, to talk all things team building, leadership, and the systems that make a beauty business thrive. Marianne shares her journey from corporate life to becoming a sought-after speaker and consultant, revealing what really drives employee engageme...

Susan interviews Azra Riaz, owner of Liberties Hair Beauty and Aesthetics in Bradford, who shares her remarkable 32-year journey in the beauty industry. Once an aspiring lawyer, Azra opens up about her pivot to beauty entrepreneurship, the cultural challenges she faced as an Asian woman in a stigmatized field, and the unwavering support from her family that helped her succeed. She reflects on her...

Susan welcomes Jo Serrant, the founder of Skin and Soul and the Skin and Soul Academy. Jo shares her inspiring journey from a young beauty therapy student in Yorkshire to a successful practitioner and educator in Berkshire. She discusses her passion for massage techniques, the evolution of her business model, and the importance of mindset in elevating one's career in the beauty industry. Jo emphas...

Susan Routledge engages in a deep and insightful conversation with applied neuroscientist and hypnotherapist Louise Baker. They explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and the beauty industry, delving into topics such as the power of touch, the importance of breathwork, and the impact of mental health on overall well-being. Louise shares her extensive experience working with cancer pa...