This month we got chatting to Anita Donoghue, Business Development Manager for The Buff Day Spa. She chats about her job, women in business, the changes she’s seen in the industry and balancing work and motherhood!
What role do you have in your company and what is your typical day like?
My role in The Buff Day Spa is Business Development Manager. The Buff Day Spa is in the heart of the Dublin next door to the Gaiety Theatre and we provide a whole spectrum of beauty and holistic healing therapies to a newly launched Medi Spa. A typical day for me could consisted of Growth Target, Hr and Operations meetings with the Spa Manager or with the central team which would consist of an Assistant Manager, Trainer and Front of House. Identifying the latest trendsetting ideas by researching the industry and related events, publications, and announcements. Winning business deals by contacting potential partners and discovering and exploring new opportunities for The Buff Day SPA. Participating in networking to create new business opportunities. Attending conferences, meetings, and beauty industry events. Enhancing the Buff Day Spa’s reputation by execution of reputation marketing projects. Increasing the Buff’s social media visibility and following through digital marketing projects. Planning and overseeing events and PR initiatives. Maintaining fruitful relationships with existing customers. Developing sales goals for the team and ensuring they are met. Training staff and helping team members develop their skills. Organising and developing The Buff Day Spa’s Staff Health and Wellness Incentive. It’s a lot of juggling, but my belief is if you are passionate and whole heartily want something, it can be done!
What’s is the most exciting part of your job role?
The most exciting part of my role is building relationships and meeting new people. Fundamentally business is built on “people buying from people they know like and trust” I feel I have a naturally ability as a people person, I’m a good communicator so this part of my job comes naturally to me! I love being in the flow of meeting, leaning and connecting with new people. Secondly, I’m an “ideas women” so innovation of bringing new ideas to better staffing challenges, staff motivation and growth, better business structures, innovative ways to market to our customers.
As a woman in business what skills do you believe are required to succeed in this highly competitive sector?
The business world is changing, and that means we need to adapt. But we don’t just want to react to a change we want to shape and move with it. Adaptability and remembering we are not our market place, having the skills to see the world through other eyes. Being Human, successful businesses are built on real communication and real relationships. Running a business is about building partnerships, motivating customers to buy products, and employees to work their tails off for you! Every business transaction ultimately has a human being at both ends. Focus and discipline are critical to success and not always a skill that comes easy especially now with world becoming harder for even the most disciplined among us. But this is a skill we must keep trying to at least master! And lastly I’ll let the quote sum it up “The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the best version of ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves”
Over the past two years, what changes have you seen in terms of beauty treatments offered to customers?
The rise of anti-aging treatments. Clients want to stay looking young for years. They do not want any signs of old age to show! Obsession with a youthful appearance has become commonplace in modern society and has resulted in an upswing of clients wanting more cosmeceutical and aesthetic treatments. Going back to adaptability, we as a company knew we had to listen and keep on top of what our clients were looking from us a business hence The Buff Day Spa’s launch The Buff Medi Spa last year! The range of treatments include Pain Free Hair Removal, laser skin rejuvenation, Image skin peels, micro needling and Venus Freeze. For more details on please follow the link https://www.thebuffdayspa.com/medi-spa-new/
As a busy working mum, how do you balance work and family life?
Sometimes in life, we bite off more than we can chew, which is typically what I do but we have two options: regurgitate or digest it. But this has been a learning curve for me and I haven’t always got the balance right! And to be honest I’m still learning! Like most working Mums feeling guilt-ridden is the norm, but my hope is that my son can one day see me as a role model for success and living a life of purpose. I’ve been quite lucky, in that my mum has helped me a lot along the way with my son and I’m forever grateful to her.
What do you look for in your employees?
Employees who share your passion and vision who want to add to your ideas and aren’t afraid to suggest ways to improve them. Personality and attitude are the most important qualities for a successful business, as you can always teach job-specific skills.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
I often think about this question and my mind would say yes! My journey has had a lot of highs but more lows then I would want to think about! I’ve incurred a lot of failures and it’s taken me a long time to deal with my failures, but I’m learning, embracing and accepting that failure is part of the long journey to success! So, my spirit would say NO, I wouldn’t do anything differently as I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the journey!
What’s in your five-year plan?
Running my own successful business or partnering in business with someone. Breaking glass ceilings when it comes to women in business in Ireland. Living a life of purpose, helping others, being happy and healthy for me this is a successful living! Inspiring my son to be good human being. And of course, having financial freedom!
I once read a quote. “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” The most powerful tool you have in creating success in your life is to appreciate other people. When you appreciate others, you will find that your relationships are stronger, grow wider, your career and business will succeed beyond your expectations!