Entrepreneur Series – Get to know Lesley Reynolds of the Harley Street Skin Clinic
April 1, 2016
“It has always been and always will be about the client and what is best for them. I take absolutely everything into perspective when considering treatment for a client and if there is an inkling of doubt, I will say no.”
Established in 2004, The Harley Street Skin Clinic is known for its high standard service and utmost discretion towards clients. They wholeheartedly believe in doing what is best for their client and have left the ideals of conventional “beauty” with reckless abandon. With soap stars and TV influencers alike, amongst their ever growing 25,000 plus client base, Lesley credits a lot of the business’ clients through word-of-mouth marketing. She works alongside her husband, Dr. Aamer Khan with whom she “eats, sleeps and breathes the business with”.
In this interview we asked Lesley everything from her morning routine to her perception of success and what it takes to start a business – the good, the bad AND the ugly!
Hi Lesley, what was your inspiration behind starting the Harley Street Skin Clinic?
My Mother was not only a very hard worker but also very aspirational. She always wanted me to ‘be something’ and I took my inspiration from her. My Grandmother had become widowed in the Second World War and opened a café to earn money to feed herself and her children. She then went on to open several restaurants and public houses and become quite wealthy. I bought one of my parent’s restaurants when I was 23. Then, when I divorced I became a single Mother who desperately needed to feed her children. My drive became a survival instinct. I had to earn money. I was fearless I had to make it work! And I did. I’ve always been passionate about the skincare and aesthetics industry – especially about helping women and men look and feel their best. I became one of the first to distribute cosmeceutical products in the UK and my business grew from there.
What mission did you set out for yourself when starting your business?
To make millions and to have a whole house in Harley St. (most clinics are one or two rooms with a shared reception and waiting room). I wanted to offer the most cutting edge clinic service and every aesthetic treatment under one roof in Harley St. I believe in being and providing the best in everything and having a hands on approach to everything we do.
What have been some of your biggest professional setbacks?
Cash flow and getting known. Most people do not recommend an aesthetician or cosmetic clinic as they don’t want anyone to know they have had anything done. The challenges, in hindsight, have been making the huge leap from two rooms in Harley Street to a massive six-story house! I didn’t quite know how we would make it full and busy all the time, some have said it was a leap of faith, however, I never doubted that I would make it a success and profitable and we have. As for other challenges over the years, I believe, even in 2016, it can be harder for a woman in business than a man especially, I have discovered, in the finance world. Unfortunately, it does tend to make you become a little hard and often women feel the need to act like men to get ahead at work trying to act like an alpha male to succeed.
I have worked very long hours, often working very late to meet deadlines or targets, always the first in and the last to leave. On a personal level, when you start out with a new concept sacrifices, loneliness and the risk factor are just part of the package. Not everyone shares your vision so it is vital to be passionate and believe in yourself, I always go by my instinctive feelings.
How did you overcome these challenges and what lessons did you learn through the process?
Cash flow is vital. I started doing PR so that we were featured in the daily papers and weekly/monthly magazines – one of the key things to help launch and grow a business. I learned how to do SEO myself as I quickly realised that the internet was where most people find you. I also learned when you ignore a small problem it only gets bigger, and to nip a situation in the bud. It’s also important not to let a problem or an argument fester, to be open and honest and always very polite. It’s also vital to have the best team around you and I always praise staff when they have done a good job. I believe in letting them play to their own strengths. As a business owner you cannot wear all the hats, all the time, so it is crucial to build a strong and the best team around you. Their knowledge and expertise will only help you be build the best business. On the other hand you also have to be ruthless about eliminating what’s not working for the business and to say calm and keep going when you face problems.
If you were to do it all over, what would you do differently?
I would focus more on the financial side of the business – particularly during the early stages of building a company. Also, watching costs of supplies and overheads, not expanding before I needed to and not employing more staff than needed.
How would you define success?
Enjoying life! I get a huge satisfaction and enjoyment from my children and family. It’s not about money, however money can allow you to make lives around you easier.
What key things have made you successful?
A need to earn money to provide for my family, and a personal need for success. Being a successful high flyer, a great mum, a fantastic wife takes some juggling and when they do this most women then think they are spreading themselves too thin or not concentrating and giving enough time to one area of their life. This then raises the feeling of guilt. The answer of course is getting the right balance. I’m still trying… But I also think there’s nothing wrong in saying “I can’t do it all”, if you can’t. However, I also believe in being persistent and sticking to your values. Sometimes, too, when things don’t work out as expected, it can be an opportunity to do some fresh thinking. It’s part of the learning curve. Also, NEVER QUIT!
What would you consider to be important when preparing for a business sale?
Making sure that financials are correct before you go to market, being straightforward and transparent, looking at forecastings and be sure they represent a realistic reflection of what you are trying to achieve, and, as always maximise profitability.
If you could give advice to someone who is considering starting their own business, what would you tell them?
Keep your finances under control and be in charge of them. Don’t be intimidated by Financial Directors, you know your business better than anyone else, go by your instincts. I look at our finances every day; and know exactly where we stand. Be prepared to do anything that needs doing, I still check the bathroom facilities every hour myself, I check the rooms are up to scratch etc.
I’ve learnt through making mistakes and grown because of them; it is essential for any female entrepreneur and makes them stronger and wiser. There are still many barriers. We need more female mentors with experience insight and willing to share time to help women develop and achieve success as well as better access to financial help, especially in terms of loans to help grow their business. I would also love to see more education and training programmes aimed at women to show that starting up a business doesn’t have to be high risk. Ageism for women is a huge problem in every area of business. Most women, I am sad to say, are written off at 45 to 50 which is often a time when they have raised their families and are free to launch themselves back into a career. You don’t have to be twenty something to be a great entrepreneur. I have to say, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and wouldn’t change anything, my life is richer for the experiences I’ve had and I absolutely love what I do!
QUICK FIRE!
Morning routine:
I meditate before I get out of bed, then have tea and check my messages and emails before I shower. I like to get into the clinic before patients start to arrive, I like to check the brass plaques are clean and that rooms and waiting room are ready to receive our patients.
Relaxation:
I love to sew and cook! I also adore my rose and herb garden. However, I rarely get time to ‘get stuck in’.
First job:
Dental nurse
Role model:
My Mother – since her death I have read so many of the letters and notes that she had written, (that I didn’t know even existed) but never sent that I have realised just how wonderful she was. My grandmother was also a true inspiration and both my Aunts – so strong in different ways.
Most memorable “I’ve made it!” moment:
I don’t feel that I’ve made it; I feel my life is a work in progress and every day brings in new experiences and challenges. But watching our TV series first episode and getting such a wonderful response was pretty amazing.
