The founder of Brazilian Beauty franchise business has been nominated as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year candidate.
Francesca Webster is one of 60 high-achieving entrepreneurs that have been nominated in the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
According to Ernst & Young Oceania Entrepreneur of the Year leader Bryan Zekulich, the nominees represent some of the most dynamic and successful entrepreneurs in the country.
“Inclusion in these awards is well-deserved recognition of the significant contribution these passionate and innovative individuals make to the Australian business community,” he said.
Francesca’s story
In May 2004, the mother-of-two, opened the doors to her first Brazilian Beauty salon in New Farm, Queensland. Eighteen months later there were three salons.
Today, there are three company owned locations and 11 franchises, including one in Victoria, one in South Australia and one in ACT.
Her ambition is to have 50 franchises in five years.
With an IT background, establishing a business in the beauty industry was an unexpected move for Francesca. But she did her homework and spotted a gap in the market.
“When I looked at the beauty industry I predominantly saw lots of mum and dad corner stores in nature from a back office point of view through to the customer service. The Brazilian waxing concept was growing considerably in other markets but it wasn’t being talked about at that point in Australia.
“With my IT background I wanted to bring my corporate skill set to the industry to deliver a consistent service and experience that wasn’t being offered in the market.
“I wanted a business that focused on women achieving their goals whether they are our clients, our team members or our franchisees. We make people look and feel gorgeous.”
Why the franchise works
When the first salon opened in Brisbane eight years ago Francesca was based in Melbourne; however it was only a matter of time before she realised it would require a bit more of her personal investment.
“At the time you think you can start up a business and will have clients coming through the door. That wasn’t the case and I realised I needed to take control of it.”
The answer was to enrol in a Diploma in Beauty Therapy while working in the salon, taking bookings and marketing the business.
Now the woman who specialised in IT is advising the Queensland government on training beauty therapists in Brazilian waxing and laser treatments such as IPL.
Francesca credits a large part of her success to establishing industry specific systems, policies and procedures, combined with team effort.
“We invested in an industry specific business coach that gave us structure and enabled us to implement a back office that is systemised and tidy. It gives us consistency.
“Our success is our company culture. We work collectively and collaboratively – everyone has input. We want people to buy into and be part of the brand.”
Living life to the full
Francesca has also set up the Australian Skin Institute, a cosmeceutical skincare range and with her partner runs an Angus cattle and Dorper sheep stud, along with their 52-foot power catamaran which is berthed and available for river and bay charters in Brisbane.
The latest initiative for this go-getter is training for Tough Mudder, a hardcore 18 to 20 km obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.
For Francesca it is all part of her philosophy on life. “It is about seizing the opportunity and never die wondering.
“I love what I do. I have to pinch myself sometimes and remind myself that ‘I am at work’. But it doesn’t feel like that because I love it,” she said.
Find out more at www.brazilianbeauty.com.au