Caithness business woman aims to improve people's health and wellbeing
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Having started The Country Spa in 1989, there have been many changes and challenges over the years for owner, Katrina Sutherland. She’s learned how to adapt and has made it her mission to provide quality services to her clients. She invests in her team, and encourages them to be their very best.
This hard work was recognised lately as Katrina and her staff picked up not just one, but two awards at the Highland Business Women Awards. We had a chance to catch up with Katrina about winning the resilience award and the team of the year award, who told us that The Country Spa is much more than what meets the eye, as its ethos is to help people far beyond the exterior.
Katrina said: “Beauty therapy has historically been considered an extravagant luxury or occasional treat, but at The Country Spa, we have been careful to focus on our clients rather than compete with other salons.
“We have listened to our clients’ concerns and have adapted our treatments and environment to suit. We educate our clients on the health benefits of regular treatments, so rather than feeling guilt or viewing time with us as a luxury, they view it as a necessary investment into maintaining their health.
“Beauty treatments offer so much more than just looking nice; they really do contribute significantly to a person’s well-being and this is the route we have taken in accordance with our clients’ requirements. Beauty treatments can even be life-saving. On occasions, we have identified suspicious marks on the skin which have turned out to be pre-cancerous.”
The Country Spa picked up the team of the year award, as it spends time investing in staff. Every week Katrina and her team set aside 90 minutes for training and to discuss future plans. The Country Spa staff are encouraged to share their ideas and offer suggestions. Katrina is also passionate about giving her staff more responsibility – with support – to help develop their confidence and leadership qualities.
“The staff are what makes the business special,” smiled Katrina.
“If I treat them well, they will treat our clients and each other well.
“We enjoy staff days out together and all get along really well as staff are chosen for their personalities
“There is always a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at the salon and clients feel at home immediately.
“Our recent staff day out involved paddleboarding, but we have also done spa days and nature rambles. All excursions involve great food and provide interesting conversations to share with clients!”
Another thing Katrina is extremely passionate about is using good quality products on her clients; and that’s why she has been championing the seaweed-based, skincare brand, Repechage, since 2001. Not only does she use it at The Country Spa, but she also teaches other salon owners how to use it, and helps them grow their business with it.
She said: “With me being the brand representative, they have access to over 30 year’s worth of my knowledge and passion for the industry plus my 22 year’s experience of using Repechage within my own business. The fact I have won awards makes it an award winning choice!”
One of those who has been supported to use Repechage by Katrina is Iline Murray, who owns Body and Sole in Stornoway.
Discussing the support she’s received from Katrina, Illine said:
“Katrina has been a great additional support to me through Repechage. Her introduction to the brand was so knowledgable and productive. Not pushy, but recommending what she thought would work for me in my Salon starting off.
“Katrina is always at the end of the phone, no question is a bother. She goes out of her way to send me ideas, and even samples for me to try.
“Katrina had super advice for me when I had a stand at the local wedding show, how to introduce Repechage to brides and bridal party’s and it was a hit.
“I’m very thankful that we met.”
Over the next 12 months The Country Spa will focus on expanding its selection of health and wellness treatments and continuing to provide Repechage demonstrations to students throughout Scotland.
Katrina said: “We are undertaking speciality oncology aesthetics training so that we can help support more vulnerable cancer patients or those with immunocompromised conditions. This will consolidate our position as the salon-of-choice for health and wellbeing as we will be able to offer safe treatments tailored to many clients with specific, diverse needs.
“I will continue to visit colleges to demonstrate Repechage treatments and highlight the importance of professionalism within the beauty therapy industry, by encouraging young therapists to aim higher and regard themselves as experts in their field. This involves demonstrating a passion for the industry, a genuine desire to do what is best for the client and to continually learn.
“I hope to have Repechage products available to Scottish colleges for their students and to then support lecturers through demonstrations and help with product knowledge and current industry requirements.”
“Salon and spa owners need exclusively professional products if they wish to elevate their business. Working with me and Repechage offers that opportunity as I am always on hand to assist new account holders with ordering, training and treatment suggestions, helping them grow their business.”
