Tell us about Ella Baché, and your involvement with the iconic Australian brand.
Ella Baché is passionate about skin health and we believe in empowering individuals to feel confident in their own skin. We do this by learning what our client’s skin needs through an individual prescription of skincare and Skin Solutions. We believe in owning your skin and its story, rather than jumping into the space of conformity or trying to look like everyone else.
Ella Baché is 65 years young in Australia and our salon network stretches across all parts of Australia with over 120 Salons. We also operate in the majority of David Jones nationally, partner with Adore Beauty and proudly have one of the leading Skin and Beauty Colleges in Australia which is the launch pad of thousands of Therapists into the skin and beauty industry. Ella Baché still runs a manufacturing and TGA facility in the centre of Sydney where we proudly innovate around the needs of the skin and make all our sun, tan and a number of skincare products.
I have been involved with Ella Bache my whole life as she was my Great Aunt, but have been the CEO for over a decade now.
In 2019, you penned ‘BOLD Moves’. Tell us about the book and what inspired you to write it.
Most Australians know Ella Baché, but they are not aware that it is a family business, nor are people aware of how incredible Ella Baché herself was. She was a pioneer, innovator and way beyond her years when she first launched the brand in Paris back in 1936 – I believed her story deserved to be told. I also feel so grateful to have worked and met so many amazing woman thorough out my career. Women who are bold, who made bold moves just like Ella did, and whose stories, insights and lessons also needed to be told and shared with the next generation.
What has your career and background looked like so far?
When I was growing up I was surrounded by a few highly creative people who worked in advertising, and I just thought they had the best jobs in the world. After I left school, I completed a Business Marketing Degree and then went off and worked for some of the big agencies in both Sydney and London. I am really thankful for the experience it gave me, the people I met along the way and work opportunities I had across the retail and not for profit sector at such a young age. I worked really hard, but we also partied hard too.
Describe a typical work day for you.
I am a morning person, so I try and start my work day at about 7ish when everything is still quite and still. This is my maker time when I can be most productive before meetings start. No day is typically the same, but I am a big believer in having a really structured diary and week, so I can maximise my time and not let my emails dictate my day – I work really hard on maintaining this practice. I spend my days with my team on future projects, new products and treatments as well as visiting our salon partners and therapists. 2020 was certainly a very different year but with all its challenges it made us work differently so I still try to work from home two days per week. I have two young boys so my evenings are typically filled with homework, reading books, swimming in the ocean together or exploring the beach. The events are slowly starting up again, but haven’t returned to the craziness of pre-2020.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Have a vision – know exactly what it is you want to achieve, and make sure you can communicate this clearly. You have to be passionate about it because it’s going to require a lot of hard work.
It’s also crucial to pick your tribe well and make sure you surround yourself with the right people who believe in your vision and share your passion. Then set really clear daily actions to ensure you progress towards your vision.
There will be lots of champagne moments to celebrate the wins but equally there will be the challenging moments that push you out of your comfort zone and push you to dig really deep. Make sure you take time out for yourself to ensure you are resilient and strong. It’s not a sprint, but a marathon.
What’s next for you, and Ella Baché?
2021 will be year of focusing on our longer-term strategic plans, growing our digital channels, opening new Salons and continuing to set ourselves up as an omnichannel business. We have lots of exciting new products and treatments in the pipeline that will drive some amazing results on the skin, and we are committed to a long term roadmap towards sustainability and doing our best for the planet and people.
In addition, I am walking the Larapinta Trail in the centre of Australia this June to support our partner charity Cherish. Cherish is a woman’s cancer foundation that funds research and treatments gynaecological cancers.
For my family and I, like so many others, there will be lots of road trips and adventures throughout Australia!
