Renee Rouleau, Renee Rouleau Skin Care
Name: Renee Rouleau
Hometown: Edina, MN
Current Residence (City, State): Princeton, Texas
Education: Weston, MA High School and Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics, Medford, MA
Professional Background (brief, please): I graduated from beauty school in 1988 and worked at a full service salon for two years before opening up my own business at age 21, called Elizabeth Renee Esthetics in Wellesley, MA. Sold it five years later to my partner, moved to Texas and opened Renee Rouleau Skin Care Salon in Dallas in 1996—-present.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: My grandmother owned a beauty shop when I grew up so I was raised in the beauty business. I loved “playing receptionist†so I always thought I would be a receptionist, but I was always getting into her magic potions and have always been a true beauty junkie. So the beauty junkie in me won.
What you are: I am a licensed esthetician, the owner of a skin care salon in Plano, Texas, creator of my own skin care line based on nine different skin types and the founder of National Skin Care Awareness Month.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: I worked at a full service salon and a co-worker and I started talking one day, and she told me that she had always wanted to own her own business, but because she had small children, she knew she needed a partner to help her run it-so she asked me! I was 20 at the time, and pretty fearless, so I said “yes!†What attracted her to me, and me to her, was that her strengths were my weaknesses and vice versa. We each brought a different set of expertise to the table, so our business was “whole.†We researched locations for months, we talked about all the things that worked in our current job situation and which things we would do differently. Having worked for someone else is valuable before setting out on your own.
Company Website? www.ReneeRouleau.com
What inspired you? My grandmother was my initial inspiration. In a day when women-owned businesses were few and far between, I saw her in the driver’s seat of her life, living her passion, which was to help improve people’s appearance, and self esteem. She was also a great business owner, treating her employees with respect. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so the risk-taking and hard work is in my blood.
How long have you been in business? I have been a business owner for 16 years.
How did you fund it? In my first business outside of Boston, my partner and I each took out a small business loan. And when I moved to Dallas and opened up there, I also took out a small business loan. And two years ago, when I re-located to Plano, I also took out a small business loan.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My grandmother who now looks over me from Heaven. And my former business partner Elizabeth, her and I are still the best of friends and we “talk shop†a lot.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? A few years back, I belonged to an Executive Women’s Group that was set up like a think tank. It was extremely valuable because you presented your challenges and you had a group of women (from all different professions and experiences) giving you feedback.
Current Business Challenge? First challenge: In life, people seem busier now than they ever have before. In my industry, the challenge is getting people to stop for an hour and come get a facial and take care of themselves. Since we cater to women, women are so busy taking care of everyone else, that they don’t ever put themselves on the list of priorities. And when they do, they feel guilty about it. Gift certificates sell very well in our business, since it “forces†women to take time out.
Second challenge: Conveying how my skin care line differs from the millions that are out there. The skin care industry has gotten fiercely competitive, and since I don’t want to enter into the department store arena with my line, it’s challenging to let people know how my brand is set apart from all the others.
What are you doing about it? To get women to use our services more frequently, I’m using words in my marketing messages that tell a woman they deserve it. They need some “me-time.â€
As for my skin care line, the fact that my line is based on nine different skin types, rather than dry, normal and oily is a message that I continually put out there. You can’t cookie cutter people’s skin into a few skin types.
Favorite motivational quote: Nike says “just do it.†So I do!
Family? I am recently married, have two wonderful step children and three Doberman Pinschers that we rescued.
Favorite book? Just Ask a Woman: Cracking the code of what women want and how they buy by Mary Lou Quinlan. It’s fabulous.
What do you do to relax? I hook rugs. Not latch hook, but traditional-style rug hooking using the technique from the late 1800’s. Also, my husband and I each own motorcycles so we love riding. We went across the U.S. last summer.
What do you want to change most about your world? I’m all about empowering women. I have worked for years with women whose lives have been affected by domestic violence and that cause is very near and dear to my heart. Educating women and getting them to take charge of their lives and make it the best it can be, is the name of my game. Women need to reach out and be mentors for one another.
What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of being a small business owner for 16 years and still going strong. Businesses come and go all the time, but I’ve made it and will continue to do so. I will leave a legacy in my field and my community and that makes me really proud.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? People have always said, “Oh, you’re so lucky, you work for yourself. You get to make your own hours, call your own shots…†Running a business is 24-7, 365 days a year. You have to be prepared for the amount of time that you must dedicate to it. It’s like having a baby…it always needs your attention. Eventually, if you play your cards right, you can put your oars back in the canoe and coast. But then after a while, you need to get rowing again.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Books, books and books. I’m not college educated and I had no formal business training. I’ve always just run my business on my instincts. But business books are an excellent tool for helping you to think outside of the box. I read constantly.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
My birthstone, peridot. I love softness of that green and I love my August “Leo the lion†birthday.
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?) I currently offer business consulting, but I’ve certainly done my fair share of mentoring, free of charge. I’m always willing to share my experience if it will help others. I think the tele seminar is very smart…
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in?
I won the 2006 “Top Employer†Day Spa Magazine award, so I have a lot of expertise in hiring, managing and keeping employees. I’m also great at marketing and branding.
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party�
Sure! I always enjoy networking with other entrepreneurs, as long as it is facilitated in a smart way.
