Enterprise Nation

Natasha Dwyer has always been her own boss. She enjoys being able to action ideas and make things happen. She’s most definitely making things happen with her latest venture which is run from her lounge that she shares with 7 members of staff! 

What were you doing before launching Return to Glory?

I worked within the FMCG industry refining business concepts for GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Nestle, United Biscuits and ICI on brands including Hula Hoops, Dulux and Aquafresh. I then went on to co-found a product development agency called WOWCO, where I worked as an ideas creator for five years before freelancing on launch projects with Heinz, Nestle and Gillette.

How did you come up with the idea?

As a busy woman, juggling babies and work, I simply kept having such dismal salon experiences. I could never get an appointment to fit my schedule and I wondered if I was the only person who found sitting in salons frustrating – the drinking tea, waiting for them to fit me in, the expense of a simple manicure, and the fuss!  I just wanted someone to come to me and do the treatments I wanted, quickly and simply.  After a bit of on the street research, I found out quite a lot of people wanted exactly the same.

You received investment from some top people – was that an easy process?

It was enjoyable, but not easy. It’s not designed to be easy! The potential investors I pitched to are highly regarded business people, and therefore developed the business plan whilst doing their due diligence. It was an inspiring process.

However, it was difficult because gaining investment, by its nature, takes time and enormous legal detail.  Our concept was simple and the business opportunity clear which helped. We have seven investors – all of whom have added and continue to add enormous value to the business.  They are very much our mentors and believe that they work with us for the passion of making something worthwhile succeed. 

What does the business do?

We are a one stop mobile health and beauty shop.  We offer massages, beauty treatments, yoga, fitness, fashion, hairstyling and makeup– all in home or in office.
Clients find the leading Specialists in their area through the Return to Glory website, where they can view their live availability diary, photo, client feedback and qualification and insurance certificates. 

We now work with busy working women, juggling mums, brides, celebrities, hotels, events agencies and corporate and retail clients.

In which areas do you operate?

Return to Glory began in London, however we are now branching out nationwide and aim to have 400 specialists across the UK by the end of the year. We currently have 142 specialists covering all of Greater London and some areas of Kent, Surrey, Essex, Hampshire, Suffolk, Oxfordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the West Midlands. We are adding new specialists to the site every day and currently have over 300 in the application process.

How many freelancers do you have on your site?

We launched the full version of the site in April 08 and already have 142 Specialists working through us.  We have 320 applying up and down the country. Return to Glory is gaining pace!

How does a beauty specialist sign up to offer their services?

Before a specialist can work through Return to Glory, they have to build their online profile. All the team members must be fully qualified (usually to above salon level) and insured. They sign up by uploading copies of their qualification certificates, insurance certificates, references from past clients/employers, personal details, photograph to their personal profile page. This will eventually be seen by clients on the website. When each specialist has got to the stage that they are ready to become an active team member, they must pass a test appointment. If they pass the test, they are ready to start working through the site.

How are you promoting yourself?

This business is built on word of mouth.  It’s a service that people find genuinely useful and exciting, so once they have used it they usually alert their friends. The press have also been enthusiastic and we’ve generated some great PR coverage over the last few months. We also have an extensive online marketing plan, including PPC, SEO, partnerships and referring site links.

What are your plans for the next 6 to 12 months?

To allow our team and services to grow organically. It’s a steady and slow process. There is a daunting amount of work to do to get Return to Glory across the UK.

Do you have people coming in to your house to work with you?

There are now seven of us working in the business from my home. Sometimes we work virtually, but mostly we run operations from the lounge. For a mum, there’s nothing like being home when the kids get home from school. I’d give anything for that.

What is the one thing you’ve enjoyed most about being your own boss?

I’ve always been my own boss and appreciate most being able to action ideas, quickly and driving them home with determination. I love working to make an idea a reality. That’s enough for me.

Natasha Dwyer talks to Emma Jones

• Return to Glory