AN Edinburgh-based spa and beauty company has set itself the bold target of lifting turnover to £20 million over a three year period after putting the building blocks in place to achieve rapid growth.
Pure Spa & Beauty, run by former accountant Becky Woodhouse, turned over more than £2.2 million last year. That came in the first 12 months of a three-year plan to hike sales to nearly 10 times that amount, which Ms Woodhouse said is achievable as a result of investment made in the business in 2014.
The entrepreneur set up the company in 2002 with the vision of providing accessible spa and beauty treatments for time-pressed professionals.
It launched its first spa in Edinburgh in 2002, and has since added a further one in Edinburgh, one in Aberdeen and two in Glasgow.
The second outlet in Glasgow was launched in West Nile Street last year during a period of major investment, which also saw it update its IT base and put a new management structure in place.
It also opened its own call centre to handle bookings and took significant strides towards establishing its own training centre, which it is in the process of having accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Ms Woodhouse, who owns the company with her husband, admits the turnover target is "ambitious but achievable". She believes the company's ability to deliver health-related spa treatments and beauty services is unmatched in the industry, as well as the flexibility of its opening hours.
Ms Woodhouse said: "We think there is a massive opportunity in this industry - it is something people really value in their lives.
"Our lives are more 24/7, so time for yourself is important. We believe there is an opportunity to capitalise."
Pure Spa & Beauty, recently named employer of the year at the Professional Beauty Awards, has nearly 100 staff on its books.
However, it is looking to add more as the business grows.
Ms Woodhouse, whose firm also offers Modern Apprenticeships and college placements in a bid to tackle youth unemployment, said the aim of developing an in-house training academy is to ensure its staff are able to deliver a high standard of therapy to customers.
And she noted that it is as important for staff to create a welcoming atmosphere as having the technical skills to carry out the physical treatments.
In the long run the courses run at the in-house academy may ultimately be offered to outside parties as an alternative to college courses.
Contending that the spa and beauty industry is often "not regarded enough", Ms Woodhouse said: "For me it is about getting people into the industry and seeing it as a career opportunity, a career path. It means we can train people the way we want, and the way they want to be trained."
Asked about her priorities for the business in year two of the three-year plan, Ms Woodhouse said: "This year is about driving growth. We're actively looking at a number of places where we could expand to.
"The next one will probably be in London - we think there will be a lot of opportunity there."
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