25 years ago today when I took over the Belmore Hotel in Stoke Mandeville and set it up as a health and beauty centre who would have thought I would still be steering the ship 25 years later.
The most challenging part of running a business that size for so long is employing people. I have met some amazing people along the way and even when things haven’t worked out and employees have wanted to move on or change direction, it always teaches me something.
I would like to thank all those that have been employed by the Belmore Centre over the last 25 years and helped it grow and develop into the business it has become today. It would not have been possible without you all and I feel blessed to know so many of you are still my friends and we are still in touch.
I know that great leaders don’t set out to be great leaders, they set out to make a difference, it’s never about the role always about the goal.
Hopefully I have made a difference as I have always followed my passion which has enabled my business to grow from humble beginnings in my bedroom at home to the Belmore Centre situated at the Ranch House with ten treatment rooms, a hairdressing salon and a fitness studio.
Then nine years ago I set up a medical clinic, Whitethorn Fields MediClinic in Old Risborough Road, along side Features For Life, my Cosmetic and Medical Tattooing business. We also have MT Training which is my Medical Tattooing business that trains nurses to carry out Areola Restoration treatments after breast reconstruction or reduction.
I could not have achieved any of this without a huge support team of Receptionists, Managers and Therapists behind me.
I have worked hard over the years to produce businesses that continually evolve and develop new concepts and ideas for future health and skin care education. These can and do make a real difference to peoples lives.
I wanted to have a centre so clients not only look better, but feel better too. Which is why the Belmore Centre offers such a unique combination of treatments for the mind, body and spirit.
- Luxury Beauty and Relaxation Treatments
- Holistic Therapies
- Health and Fitness
- Hairdressing
So the time now comes, and I feel that after 25 years it is time to pass the reins over to my trusted Director and Stepson James Goldney, and HR Manager Bethany Mallinson who will be leading the Belmore Centre into further success with such a loyal and supportive team, many of which have been working for the Belmore Centre for over ten years.
I will still be in the background for new ideas and treatment development, to help with the continuous growth of the Belmore Centre and hopefully my vision to continue to inspire others within our industry.
When I won the award for Buckinghamshire’s Business Leader of the Year in 2014 I realised how far I had come after leaving school with only an O’Level in Pottery, and that following my passion is what it took to achieve the success I have today.
After running my Aesthetic Clinic, Whitethorn Fields MediClinic, alongside the Belmore Centre for the past nine years we now have to deal with the impending arrival of HS2. It is time to move on as we get compulsory purchased, but fear not! There is light at the end of the tunnel!
This gives me the opportunity to set up a new clinic, the last one. After being in the Health and Beauty industry for over 38 years this will be my final business, the last chapter. 2018 will see the arrival of our new clinic, offering Cosmetic and Medical Tattooing, Aesthetics and Advanced Skincare; Karma House.
If you would like to follow the journey and building of Karma House clinic please like and follow my Facebook page, Karma House Project, where I will be posting photos and sharing with you the journey over the next few months as the new clinic starts to take shape!
So thank you and farewell to the Belmore Centre, its been a fabulous 25 years!
Caron Vetter
