RUNNING THEIR OWN RACE
( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 )
used in them . Something must have been very right , as these formulations and treatments remain famous today .”
Harmsworth then launched ESPA in 1993 . “ I took on a huge risk launching ESPA when I was 47 or 48 ,” she says . “ Yes , it ’ s a great success today , but took much longer and cost much more to get off the ground than my business plan had anticipated .”
It ’ s not that the costs should deter anyone from taking a risk , Harmsworth just recommends always giving yourself a cushion for when life happens . “ As an entrepreneur , take your business as far as you can with your own financing . Be conservative in your planning and projections and keep that financial cushion in there so you don ’ t end up losing control ( or worse ).”
She considers building ESPA into a successful global spa brand as her biggest success as an entrepreneur . However , through all her success in the spa industry , Harmsworth
“ First , it ’ s necessary to develop a good business model which includes all realistic opportunities . Second , be willing to adapt to unforeseen circumstances .”
— SAMMY GHARIENI , CEO and Founder , Gharieni Group
strives to prioritize her family , her team and the big picture . “ My Toronto day spa made its first million in 1974 . ESPA , which launched in 1993 , achieved this in 1994 . Of course , both were exciting moments , though I really didn ’ t think about it too much at the time . These milestones were part of a much bigger picture : building a great team , winning awards , receiving the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) honour from the Queen and being blessed with grandchildren were all far greater rewards .”
Constant Innovation Sammy Gharieni , CEO and founder of Gharieni Group , a German manufacturer of high-end spa tables and medical equipment , realized he had the mindset of an entrepreneur at a very young age . “ At the age of seven , I took some of my toys and sold them secretly at school to my friends for German ‘ Groschen ’ ( the equivalent of pennies ),” says Gharieni . “ So you can say that my hobbies and spirit for entrepreneurship have fused into a passion since my earliest youth .”
After he finished his electronic and mechanical engineering degree 25 years ago , Gharieni began working for a large Japanese corporation . He enjoyed his work , but realized quickly that he wasn ’ t the kind of person who could work within a rigid corporate structure . “ My boss took all of my ideas and presented them proudly as his own ,” Gharieni remembers . “ That made me furious !”
He began looking down other avenues and met a school friend who worked with a company based in Clearwater , Florida that was importing facial lifting and toning machines to Canada . “ I became interested as an engineer and helped to improve the technology . I then started the distribution to Germany and other countries in Europe ,” he says . “ That was my entrance into this world of spa .”
Clients began asking about treatment beds , which got Gharieni ’ s mind racing . “ I started to think about how to create a completely new model ; one that was all-electric , that could be heated and more comfortable for the customer , something with lumbar support . So 20 years ago , the SL was born , the first beauty bed of the Gharieni Company , which became a best-seller ,” he says . “ The business hit its million-dollar mark in 1996 with the SL beauty bed .”
His innovative thinking and ingenuity got his business off the ground , but it didn ’ t come without its challenges . Starting out , funds were tight and the budget didn ’ t stretch far . “ The beginning was the most challenging time for the business ,” says Gharieni . “ I had excellent products but nobody knew us and our advertising budget was low . To emerge , we had only the opportunity to place small ads and to offer incentives on pricing .”
For Gharieni , things have since come full circle . “ I started in Florida 25 years ago . Now , I ’ m back . Gharieni USA Inc . has recently opened its doors in Aventura , Florida . The prestigious Turnberry Isle is now home to the Gharieni USA headquarters .” n
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30 PULSE ■ January / February 2017