WHAT do spa clinics, beauty parlors, wellness centers, and sports gym have in common? All of them offer services that beautify and de-stress their customers.
This could be the reason why next to food, businesses of these kinds sprout like mushrooms practically in every nook and cranny.
Knowing the stiff business competition nowadays, 24-year-old Hazel Marie Uy makes sure her own beauty salon and spa clinic stands out from the rest.
Thus, Princess Hazel Salon and Spa’s motto says it all: “We bring out every royalty dream with luxurious beauty and pampering choices minus the luxury pricing.”
“We give our clients the royal treatment they deserve. No shortcuts; just dedicated service and value for money,” Hazel said during an interview with the BusinessMirror.
The passion and dedication Hazel gives to her business is evidenced by the lovely royalty-themed clinic housed in a private condominium on Quezon Avenue. Coupled with her determination to make her chosen business succeed, Hazel employs the best and experienced people in the industry; gets the best hair, nail and body-care products; and thinks of the latest promos that will entice clients to come to her salon.
Certified beauty enthusiast, spaholic
“I’ve always been a spa and salon client myself—I want to look and feel good at all times. Physical appearance is the first thing someone will notice, so it makes sense to be always at your best,” Hazel said.
Hazel admits she can’t live without having polished nails. “It’s a must for me—well-polished nails—but cracked and dried-up polish are a no-no. It would be better to leave the nails unpolished than wearing worn out nail polish,” she stressed.
And here is another essential beauty tip from her: “A woman should wear a good foundation or pressed powder at all times. Compliment it with a good lipstick and good eyelash, then she’s ready for the day.”
That’s why Hazel said it has always been her dream to start her own salon and spa business. Thus, after graduating from the De La Salle University College of Saint Benilde, she asked the help of her businessman-father to open a beauty-salon business.
To prepare for the business, Hazel said she worked for a year to give her Hotel and Restaurant management course a try. “But I ended up having my hands unpolished and amoy sibuyas (onion-smelling) and my face unmade up due to kitchen duties,” she reminisced.
Realizing that her chosen profession is making her the exact opposite of her personality, she became more resolute to open a beauty
salon instead.
Her next step was to enroll in a cosmetology course in Makati City and worked on-the-job training (OJT) at a reputable salon in Quezon City. While having her OJT she studied the ins and outs of salon business, made friends with the therapists, beauticians and hairdressers, who later became employees of her own salon.
Then she sought help among classmates and friends for the concept, logo design and interiors of her dream salon. She said the result “was simply amazing, just how I wanted it to be!”
Business inspiration
Hazel said she was emboldened to start her own business after seeing the success of her dad, Hoover Uy, the man behind Hoover Feeds in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Her dad got employed first in various offices and in some feeds businesses prior to setting up his own, according to Hazel.
“I have witnessed the ups and downs of my Dad’s business and how he managed to make it stable to this day,” she recalled.
To jump-start the spa business, Hazel admits to borrowing money from her parents. She said she haven’t recovered her investment yet, but the two-in-one beauty center, which turns two in March, is now becoming a by-word in the Quezon City area, with regular clientele and growing number of customers who can’t help but be mesmerized by Hazel’s little private royal palace and quality services.
“We’re starting to gain more regular clients and make a name for our services, which are helping us pay our expenses, salaries and plan better for our future expansion,” she said.
The future plans include a second branch at Binondo area in partnership with her future husband, Allan Chan, her schoolmate and classmate of seven years, who is currently employed in a Chinese call center.
“We are in the thick of things…preparing for our March wedding this year. After that we would be opening Princess Hazel’s second branch, but this time with more therapy and massage services, which the Binondo market is known to be wanting.”
Business strategy and the social media
Hazel admits groping in the dark in the first few months of operation. She said: “We had to work double time to make a name for our business through social media, flyering, telephone marketing, promo offering and word of mouth referrals.”
Soon enough, the salon has built loyal clients who bring their own friends. Walk-ins, who have heard or read about the clinic on Facebook, also started coming and became loyal customers, as well. The blogging community also took interest of her “palace and its royal services” and soon several mainstream media personalities sought her for business inspiration.
Hazel hopes to recoup her investment in another year or two. But right now she said she’s happy that things are turning out rosy for her, including her upcoming wedding. She’s glad that her beauty clinic is growing and making a name prior to the Binondo branch. With a catchy name that could demand name recall for a business, Princess Hazel is also considering franchising deals in the future.
But the best benefits according to Hazel, is being able to enjoy her passion so that her work doesn’t feel work at all, plus the fact that she’s always beautiful and she feels she’s at her best all the time.
“I also make new friends in the process and I’m happy for the opportunity to make them feel pampered and beautiful, too,” Hazel said.
To entrep wannabes, she advises them not to be afraid to start their own business.
“Pursue your passion, love your work and strive for excellence. Soon you’ll reap the reward of your hard work. Don’t be afraid of ups and downs, as they are part of your journey being a start-up. Surely they are learning experience for your business,” Hazel said.