Diana Richardson, a multiple award-winning business owner, brings over two decades of expertise in service excellence and client retention. As the Beauty Salon Business Mentor at Signature D Limited and an Advanced Aesthetician Beauty and Skincare Expert, Diana’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in her family’s entrepreneurial background, particularly within the beauty industry. Inspired by her successful aunt, who owned a thriving beauty salon, Diana found her role model within her family. Despite her father’s emphasis on formal education, Diana proudly calls UNLV her Alma Mater, acknowledging the valuable foundation her education has provided for the growth of her businesses.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Diana Richardson:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
I love what I do and do what I love, so I am the same person in all aspects of my life. I work hard, I’m focused, and I try to be present in each activity. Being the director of six companies, the founder of four of them, and the co-founder of the other two. It’s important to have a similar thread that aligns with everything we do.
For me, time is precious, and how we spend it creates value in others’ lives. I always try to add value and create lasting memories with those whom I share time with.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
Signature D (business coaching and consulting) was founded in 2019. I had obtained my teaching diploma in 2009 from Greenwich University in London, taught beauty therapy to young adults for six years, started my family, and the boys had both started school. I had started several companies, scaled and sold a business, and just finished my beauty therapist of the year residency at the Soho Hotel in London. So what’s next? Let’s help others develop their confidence and their business acumen.
This opportunity to help other beauty business owners was escalated during the pandemic. I was asked to contribute to guidelines for the personal care sector written by Great Britain’s Department Of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy. Our industry had to abide by these rules as our businesses were continually made to open and close during an 18-month period.
Having helped the government with these guidelines, I had an idea of what the industry requirements were. I was then able to consult Spas, beauty Salons and Wellbeing Clinics about safe practises to operate business.
Following the pandemic, an opportunity to expand my business became available, and my coaching and mentoring business was developed in-house to help grow our team.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
This is an interesting question, as I don’t feel’successful’ because I’m always striving towards the next goal, creating opportunities, and designing my destiny. 2023 was an incredible year of change and evolution. I’m really looking forward to building, learning, and leaning forward in 2024.
What do I value? Health, happiness, family, and faith. I feel very blessed for the obstacles that brought new opportunities and the lessons I’ve learned and can now share with others.
Which are the major services of the company and how do they the company to get ahead in the competition?
Signature D provides three main services.
- Monthly mastermind~ a 3-hour online live session that provides a deep dive into different business strategies.
- VIP Days~ is a personalised service tailored to each individual to help beauty business entrepreneurs design their destiny. We look at their business model, set goals and timelines, and conduct an accountability follow-up session.
- Glowgetter Beauty Entrepreneurs 101~ This mentorship program is for a small group of inspired entrepreneurs that want to design their destiny. Each week, we have live online sessions that cover a monthly business theme. This is also the name of my podcast and our exclusive Facebook group.
https://www.dianarichardson.uk/plans-pricing
What value-added services does the company provide?
I’m offering a free workshop starting Monday, January 8, during which I’ll teach:
- How to fill your calendar with clients for life.
- Build your salon sales machine to maximise your time in the treatment room.
- Develop processes and procedures that save you hours.
- Price for profit.
- Know your worth.
I’d love for you to join the party, so please consider this your personal invitation. Registration is now open, please click the link https://go.dianarichardson.uk/register
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Evolution is essential in business; each year we launch new products, innovations, and treatments at the Orchids Retreat Beauty & Wellbeing Atelier.
Signature D mentorship programs are full of new innovations and continue to evolve and adapt as business opportunities change and develop.
We’re excited to be launching the Advance Innovation Society London branch on Thursday, January 11, 2024! This global initiative hosts monthly in person meet ups and weekly online sessions to build lasting business relationships.
“The Advance Innovation Society is an exclusive network of entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and high performing entrepreneurs. We offer yearly memberships for business leaders with a track record of success to our peer led masterminds.” ~ Founder Kelly Roach, USA
To find your nearest chapter and register your interest
https://advancesociety.org/londonmonthly
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes.
Team processes: we all need to work together to build empires.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I’m a morning person, so I love my morning routine—it sets me up for the entire day!
- Healthy meal plan & ensure I drink 3-4 litres of water daily.
- Daily fitness – I walk 5k with my dog each morning.
- Then I meditate to gain clarity for the day and
- Each day has time blocks to my goals.
- Family time is important so after school and evenings are reserved for family activities. My husband and I have a weekly date night that is scheduled in the diary to ensure we maintain open communication and a strong relationship.
- I try to go to bed at the same time each evening so that I can have a full 8–9 hours’ sleep a night and wake up naturally early in the morning.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Remember to lead by example, have people in your circle who know more than you so you can continue to learn and develop as a leader, make decisions quickly, and have confidence that you made the best decision based on the facts you had at the time. We can’t predict the future, and success is observed in hindsight. Always work towards a goal and have great communication with your team. Just go for it!
