Caci - things are LOOKING GOOD

Talking with Caci clinics Whangarei franchisee Jenny Lloyd, the line from an old 80s song springs to mind: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ It’s a line that applies equally to the Caci management and franchise support team, which has demonstrated that it knows how to respond to a challenge.

After completing a four year hairdressing apprenticeship, Jenny set off on her OE and while working at the beauty counter of a duty-free shop realised her career interest lay in the beauty business. Returning to New Zealand, marriage and a family put her aspirations on hold but between bringing up three children and helping her husband run a popular café and bar at Mangawhai in Northland, Jenny made time to study and graduate with diplomas in beauty therapy.

‘Throughout my studies I was very aware of Caci clinics as the industry leader in appearance medicine,’ recalls Jenny. ‘Caci was established in New Zealand 15 years ago and offers a range of treatments in three main areas: appearance medicine (Botox® and fillers), facial rejuvenation and hair removal, as well as traditional beauty therapy services. I had enough business experience to know that starting up on my own without a recognisable brand and no support would be pretty much impossible, so when the time came I approached Caci about taking the franchise in Whangarei.’

Assisted by Caci founder David Smith and the franchise support team, Jenny launched her new business in 2005. But, as David had warned her, it wasn’t all plain sailing. ‘In fact, those first years were a real struggle,’ admits Jenny. ‘Even with a great franchise, starting from scratch in a new area takes a lot of hard work. While we got the brand known in Whangarei, there was a perception Caci was all about Botox® and more expensive than other beauty providers, so we had quite an educational job to do. But the Caci team stood by me, and Rebecca Field, now general manager of the franchise division, was amazing – always available to give advice and always coming up with ideas for me to try.’

New Programmes Pay Off

What Jenny didn’t know was that, behind the scenes, the Caci team was busy developing  some ground-breaking beauty treatment programmes that she says demonstrated to her just how in touch the franchise is with franchisees, the market and even the then-predictions of recession that other companies ignored. ‘I found out when David asked me to trial a new programme in my clinic. This had been developed to promote multiple treatment sessions and make them so affordable that clients would have trouble saying “no” even during a downturn. By tailoring programmes to suit each client’s lifestyle and personal budget Caci aimed to create a win for the client and on-going income for the franchisees.’ Jenny found the trial of what was to become Caci’s Freedom™ laser hair removal programme was just the boost her business needed. ‘Response was amazing,’ she says. ‘Almost overnight, the programme overcame both the resistance to the need for multiple treatments and the perception that Caci was the expensive option.’

Following Jenny’s trial, the programme was launched at all 24 Caci clinics around New Zealand, where it has proved equally successful. Freedom was then joined by the Botox® programme Amerase™ and the skin treatment programme Reformaskin™.  ‘As a result, when the recession did arrive – and it has hit Whangarei hard ­– we did very well,’ Jenny explains. ‘People still wanted to feel good about themselves and these programmes and the payment options meant that they could afford to.’

Fastest Growth Ever

‘I can’t help but be impressed at the work the whole franchise team did to create and implement these programmes, and then to invest heavily in the advertising to drive new clients our way. As unbelievable as it sounds, the recession has brought about the fastest growth we’ve ever had and we are very happy with the results!’

From tough beginnings, Jenny’s Caci clinic is now a busy six-day-a-week business. She employs a cosmetic nurse specialist two days a week to administer Botox® injections to clients in the Amerase programme, two beauty therapists, a treatment co-ordinator to advise clients on the programme best suited to their needs and a receptionist. Jenny herself has the training to be hands-on specialising in laser hair removal, although Rebecca Field says that only a few of Caci’s franchisees have beauty or appearance medicine qualifications. ‘Franchisees don’t actually need industry experience: the ability to manage and market an exciting business – and lead a small team delivering high quality personal services – is far more important.’

Jenny Lloyd has no hesitation recommending that those with an interest in helping people look their best should consider investing in Caci. The investment level required for a new clinic is around $200-300,000, and opportunities are available in many parts of the country. ‘Yes, you’ll work hard but you’ll reap the rewards of your efforts,’ she says. ‘And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you have a great, forward-thinking team with you every step of the way. Caci is a franchise system where support is more than talked about – it is delivered.’

This advertorial is taken from Franchise New Zealand magazine Volume 19 Issue 4 

Contact details for Caci

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