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Returning to the workforce or studying as a mum can be both daunting and exciting. It's a time of careful evaluation of career prospects, what you're truly passionate about, and just how you might be able to balance it all!
For one mum of 4, Karla Pritchard, it was an opportunity to relaunch her career. Karla went from student at Ella Baché College to franchise owner of Ella Baché Coorparoo.
Describe your career journey with Ella Baché.
I got my Diploma of Beauty Therapy and started working for Ella Baché. I stayed with the company for almost 4 years, until deciding that the sales side of what I was doing was a passion that I wanted to grow. I left Ella Baché and got into more sales roles in the health and beauty industry. I always kept up with treatments on friends and family. It is a great skill to have, as you never lose it and there is always someone who needs a wax or a free massage or facial! A couple of years ago, I came back into the industry working for companies like Lancôme and Chanel, and realised my passion for the beauty service side of things were re-ignited. The decision of starting a business with a much loved company that I have known and trusted for a long time came quickly.
How did you feel starting your own business as a busy mum?
I have 4 children from age 4 to 11 and a very supportive husband who keep me very busy and always on the go. Having my own independence is very important to me, and owning a salon gives me the outlet I need to keep sane. Once I made the decision of opening an Ella Baché salon, there were many words that came to my mind numerous times a day, words like: scared, excited, anxious, empowered, independent, nervous, proud, confident. Those words turned into feelings and they ran through me, over and over each and every day. I would go from feeling excited and confident to scared and anxious in a matter of moments and then back to feelings of elation, pride and excitement all over again.
“It doesn’t matter if you choose to work in a salon, have a home salon or open your own, if you have that passion, the sky is the limit.— KARLA PRITCHARD
Why have you chosen Ella Baché?
So many people know and trust the Ella Baché name and products, and building a strong client base and quickly was definitely an advantage. From a business point of view, it is very comforting to know that being able to talk to another salon owner within the network, or a member of the Ella Baché Head Office team/support, is definitely an advantage.
What advice would you give mums or busy women looking to become Beauty Therapy students?
The beauty service industry is an industry that will continue to grow, so to have the skills and passion for it is something that you will have forever. It doesn’t matter if you choose to work in a salon, have a home salon or open your own salon, if you have that passion, the sky is the limit. There are not too many careers that can give you that. There are a lot of mums working in salons and I think it gives us a certain empathy and skill to deal with our clients and give them the up most in service and care while allowing us to work in a place that can offer real work, life balance.
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