From Caci client to clinic owner, meet Zoe Pettit from Caci Tauranga West.

She and the team opened their new clinic in Te Puna (near Nourish café) just 24 hours before we were back in Alert Level 2 (after several delays throughout the year).

Now, back in Alert Level 1, they are fully open for business and already making fast connections in the local community.

While one of the newest clinics to open, the Caci brand has been around for nearly 30 years. Started in the mid-1990s, the beauty treatment business has continued to innovate and meet its customers’ needs.

Their services are extensive, and include cosmetic injectables, skin rejuvenation, skin health programmes utilising the latest technology, laser hair removal and body sculpting.

Caci offer a membership programme that helps make skin health treatments and appearance medicine more accessible than it has ever been before (They start from $22 a week).

“Caci is results driven, taking you on a skin journey to improve what you have, to listen to you and your concerns, and create a tailored treatment plan,” says Zoe. “That’s why they like to see you regularly and the membership programme helps make that achievable.”

Zoe had always loved how Caci made her feel as a client, so when the opportunity came up to buy into the franchise, she knew it was meant to be.

“I had always seen Caci as a really good business model. Because it is a franchise, you have that backing and the support. They have the systems and know how, and it’s all there for you to apply.”

Zoe has an interesting business background, having worked in hotel management (which brought her to New Zealand more than 20 years ago) and corporate work doing strategic account and relationship management. She also owned a meat trading business with her husband (a chef by trade) and worked in tourism sector for Rotorua Economic Development Agency.

Like many small business owners, Zoe is hands-on in her own business, but she says as an owner / manager it is important to find where to draw the line.

“You have to work on your business but also stay involved. Your clients and staff want to see you and know you, especially in a small team, but you’re not doing the treatments.”

It’s a challenge, she acknowledges, but it’s also what she loves about owning her own business.

“I’m a people person. I love the stories our clients tell you. We want them to feel safe and trust us when they come for a treatment. If you weren’t working in the business to some degree, you wouldn’t get that.”

Zoe recommends a franchise model to anyone looking to own a business and is perhaps doing it for the first time, or is looking to have the security and support of a successful model.

“Having previously owned a successful business, we know the investment required for infrastructure and people so that’s why we looked at franchise – a lot of it is already done for you and you have that support behind you.

Her advice for anyone looking to buy into a franchise? Be passionate and be prepared.

“Choose one you are passionate about, an industry you love. And remember you have to operate in a set of rules. People who get into this are ‘intrapreneurs’ because you don’t have the idea but are taking on the responsibility of driving a business. We have been the entrepreneurs and it was time to be the intrapreneurs.”

Caci Tauranga West is offering a special deal for Chamber members – book in for a consultation and skin conditioning treatment for just $50!

Check out the flyer below for more details and click the image to book.