We’re continuing our local entrepreneur series with NI’s hottest aesthetic doctor, and Gekkoshot’s very own client, the one and only, Dr Bonny! Flying the flag for young, female entrepreneurs throughout Northern Ireland, we were really excited to get an insight into the brains behind the beauty (treatments)!
She proves that it’s never too late to change the course of your life. She also explains her struggles with burnout and learning to take a break, and ultimately the importance of asking for help. Read to the end to find out Dr Bonny’s number one tip for anyone looking to get into the aesthetics industry.
Can you give me a brief overview of your business?
I trained as a doctor for 7 years before starting my aesthetic business whilst working in the NHS full time. I launched my business 5 years ago as a junior doctor in which I would work full time shifts in the hospital and spend my weekends and evenings in rented salon rooms doing aesthetic treatments.
“I grew my business from working as a sole practitioner in rented rooms to owning my own large private clinic in BT9- South Belfast.”
I quickly became a very reputable aesthetic clinician through my natural flare aesthetics combined with my years of medical training. I grew my business from working as a sole practitioner in rented rooms to owning my own large private clinic in BT9- South Belfast. We now have a clinic team of 8 people, all of which our aesthetic clinicians are medical professionals, from doctors to nurses, pharmacists and dentists. We offer a range of injectable skin treatments that help with fine lines and wrinkles for anti-ageing purposes to treatments that enhance or change features to replicate those of surgery. The physical change we can provide to patients is only a small part of our job. The upmost satisfaction comes from the boost we see in out patients confidence and self esteem.
What inspired you to start your clinic?
Believe it or not, I studied and trained my whole life to become a doctor, and when I got there, I didn’t quite love it as much as I felt I would. I am a very creative and artistic person and mainly fell into a medical degree because I was a top grade student.
However, when working as an NHS doctor, I didn’t feel the love and dedication that many of my amazing colleagues did. I missed the joy I felt from being more imaginative and innovative.
It was then I felt the need to look at other career paths. I accidentally fell into the aesthetic industry when I heard of a few friends partaking in the courses and felt I would just go along and see what it was all about. It wasn’t until my first course that I fell completely in love with the industry and found my natural passion.
How do you get the most out of your business?
Gekkoshot has been a huge help by working with me to bring my website vision into reality and from that, providing a top class SEO service that has allowed me to remain no.1 on Google for my chosen search terms.
“You get out of life, what you put in.”
That, along with my strong social media presence and the fact that I work hard- everyday. I truly believe you get out of life what you put in and I live by this everyday. I put all my effort and dedication into everything that I do and I feel this has quickly pushed my business to the forefront.
What has been your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur so far?
My biggest challenge is knowing when to stop and take a break or take some time for yourself. It’s important to not get caught up in doing everything all at once. There comes a burn out point for everyone. Don’t try and do it all yourself- asking for help or delegating tasks can seem daunting for may people with their own business, but with the right people around you – youll wish you asked earlier.
“Don’t try and do it all yourself – asking for help or delegating tasks can seem daunting for many people with their own business, but with the right people around you – you’ll wish you asked earlier.”
What has been your biggest success?
Opening my own clinic in April 2021 after the COVID pandemic was a pivotal moment for me. It was a real “pinch me” point in my life and felt so proud of how far I had come from that solo junior doctor working every weekend and evening to try and build a reputation.
What is your favourite thing about being an entrepreneur?
My favourite thing is definitely the love and drive and passion you feel for your business, and therefore in my case – my patients. Everyday you wake up wanting to do better, do more, be better and be more.
“There is no better driving force and feeling of self accomplishment than running your own business”
It gives you something to work on everyday and I think this often reflects back into your life and your daily routine. There is no better driving force and feeling of self accomplishment than running your own business.
What is your least favourite thing?
I wouldn’t say I had a least favourite thing. But again, something I do struggle with – like I’ve mentioned, is that I often find it difficult to switch off or detach from my business. if I’m on holiday or taking a break, I’m still thinking or trying to better myself or my business. This is something that will come over time and with experience as I’m still in a building phase with my clinic.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the aesthetics industry?
Invest in your medical knowledge! Our industry is accessible to so many people- medical professionals and non-medical professionals. If you’re wanting to begin your journey in the aesthetic field, firstly invest in your medical qualification and feel comfortable as a medical professional before jumping into aesthetics. You will feel more confident and comfortable offering these treatments to patients, as will the patients who are being treated by you. This will always stand well for your reputation. Check out B.Aesthetics here and be sure to check out her Instagram @drbonnyy