NFPBS News

beauty companies association annual Business Seminar

Attendees flocked to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden for the Beauty Companies Association’s annual business seminar, which took place on September 30th. Concentrating on maximising the success of businesses within the beauty industry, the event was a great chance for the range of high profile speakers to share stories and invaluable knowledge on how they first started out in the beauty industry and managed to pave their way to success. The packed audience welcomed Dean Nathanson, chairman of the BCA, to the stage, who commenced the seminar with a warm welcome to all attendees and speakers, whilst discussing the benefits of joining the BCA. Dean then introduced our first speaker, Leah Totton. Dr Leah Totton, current title holder of The Apprentice and Alan Sugar’s business partner, shared her journey from the beginning, where she worked for the NHS, to taking part and winning The Apprentice in 2012. Leah confessed how she had struggled to overcome her lack of confidence whilst taking part in The Apprentice and revealed how she wanted her clinics to eventually expand nationally. Following this, Sandra Vallow, Senior Beauty Buyer at QVC, took to the stage to share her journey and experiences of working at QVC. She was able to share a short marketing video, which broadcasts how QVC works to help companies to expand and grow. Companies who work closely with QVC are able to use their marketing tool to predict how their target market reacts to key terms which can then be used to their own advantage. Sean Harrington, Managing Director of Elemis, then addressed the packed room by detailing how the company had first come about, which had been because of the need to pay back some owed money, drawing a few laughs from the audience! Alongside speaking about his own success, Sean also offered attendees top tips and advice on running a successful business. After a packed morning delegates then had a chance to network with other senior members of the Beauty Industry over lunch and drew the raffle, to raise funds for the Healing Hands Network, the BCA’s nominated charity, who also benefited from 10% of the profits from the event. A delighted Dean Nathanson summed up the event; “Our annual business seminars have proved to be a big success with great feedback from attendees and speakers alike. I believe we have well and truly succeeded thanks to all our speakers and members who attended the event, and really relished in the opportunity to learn more about how to maximise their success. As the BCA grows, we feel like the industry benefits as a whole from the effort we have put in to ensure we stand as one and be recognised as the leading authority of the beauty industry. ”