We caught up with the ultimate girl boss, leader and all round nice person Rasa from The Wicklow Street Clinic in Dublin. We kow first hand what an incredible business she runs right in the centre of Dublin. The Eminence brand is going from strength to strength here in ireland and Rasa is the driving force behind that. With more and more of us turning to green things arre only going to get better for Rasa. Here is a little insight into the powerhouse with the gentle approach.

Tell us about yourself, your company, job profile, etc.

I own The Wicklow Street Clinic, Dublin 2 and I am the Irish Distributor of Eminence Organic Products (cosmaceutical results-driven organic skin care that plant a tree for every product sold and use solar and wind energy as well as being Leaping Bunny accredited).

Basically, If you want something very subtle, a change where people say “God, you’re looking well,” then we’re the clinic to come to.

Our ethos is to change people’s skin, so we have an arsenal of treatments from Eminence facials to CACI, Plasma Pen facelifts, IPL laser treatments and mediceutical treatments, we have a Harley Street surgeon who performs Botox and Fillers.

I am an accountant. I worked in the beauty industry for 19 years. I own the business for 2.5 years and before that I was General and Financial Manager in the company.

I am company’s director and I run the company with the help of my staff. My staff is like my family, we’re very close. I am fair and kind, or so they tell me (laughing).

Who has inspired you in your life and why?

My mother. She raised me by herself. She did work very hard and she had to spend a lot of time in hospitals as I was very sick child. But she managed to juggle everything. She taught me that you ‘never give up and keep going no matter what’.

That stuck to me like a silent edict when I arrived in Ireland twenty years ago and worked as a chambermaid in Galway. I thought I had perfect English, but had to rethink that and adapt to accents.

I ended up in Dublin a year later and started my Irish accountancy career in the beauty industry. I love Ireland and return home for visits, but Ireland is now my permanent home.

 

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?

My boyfriend and my dog. I know they are not things but if I would have them with me I wouldn’t need anything else, we would find a way to survive.

 

In a team environment, what role do you usually take on?

The leader – but also a friend. I don’t believe in leaders who boss you around. I believe that people will do much more for you if you ask them and if you treat them as equals.

 

What three things do you need to be successful in your job?

Treat your staff well as they are the biggest asset that you have. A skilled beauty staff is essential to gaining five stars as we consistently do.

Have patience and be calm as it’s never easy when you own the business.

Be strong and follow your vision no matter what.

 

How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?

Success to me are happy clients and happy staff. It does mean that I do everything right.

 

Which of the two animals would you say you are most like — a sheep or a wolf — and why?

A wolf as I don’t like to be guided; I like to make my own decisions. In saying that I do ask people for advice and take someone’s opinion on board but at the end it is me who makes final decision. A nice wolf, I suppose.

 

By Mary-Jane O’Regan

 

Photo Kieran Hartnett