Forty Under 40: Catherine Fennell-Holmes
by January 1, 2002 12:00 am 127 views
In an industry riddled with high turnover and transient customer loyalties, Catherine Fennell-Holmes developed an oasis in the business of pampering.
At age 23, Holmes bought Esthetiques-The Spa in 1997. The business was then 10 years old, and Fennell-Holmes said it grossed about $350,000.
Now, more than 100 customers visit the spa daily, and 29-year-old Holmes expects 2002 sales of $1.4 million.
Holmes grew the venture by treating it like any other business. She hired competent managers to take care of the store while she oversaw the bookkeeping and human-resource duties.
Although Holmes is not licensed in cosmetology, she hires well-trained staff and uses attractive holiday and benefits packages to keep them there.
Implementing the new system “nearly broke the company,” Holmes said. “We made $2 a day for a while.” Now the business is strong, and many of her employees are homeowners.
More than 30 people staff the 3,600-SF spa, which caters to an executive lifestyle.
The spa is an Aveda concept salon, which means it sells only Aveda beauty products. Aveda’s reputation attracts some of Holmes’ clientele, many of whom are retail vendors.