THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS

My story with Distribution truly begins way before 2008. However, 2008 was a huge turning point for me, so let’s begin there.

Working one Friday evening, late as usual…2 people walked into my facility. 2000 SQ feet of Spa Services. Hair, nails, pedicures, facials, waxing, massage and tanning.

Although I thought the gentleman looked familiar, I didn’t know either one of them. As it turns out, it was Katharin VonGavel and Murray Smith of KVG Group (Footlogix).

They made a last minute u-turn into my facility in an effort of looking for a Salon to host an event which involved the Home Shopping Network. Which, ironically, was not only just 5 minutes from us….my Salon was the Premiere Salon approved by the Home Shopping network .  For 14 years we serviced 150 team members from show host, hand co-ordinators, models, management etc.

Any hoot, Katharin and Murray representing Footlogix had been invited to produce a private label product (rough skin formula) for the network. Katharin, the visionary, wanted to host an event in which she and her team could explain to everyone from HSN who worked on the product what Footlogix was all about. She felt if they all knew how great the brand was, it would be an easy sell.

On March 31st, 2008 my team and I worked along side the team of Footlogix introducing the brand to approx. 35 HSN team members. Show host, models, marketing, producers…..anyone affiliated with the project.

By the end of this 8 hour very busy day, I learned a lot about a product I knew nothing about. In fact…I had never heard about it. I also knew that I somehow wanted to be affiliated with the brand. And, much to my surprise, I found out Katharin and Murray were also thinking they would like me to be affiliated with them as well.

The day was a huge success for all involved. I saw many faces I had not seen in a while, exchanged a lot of hugs and reminisced about some very good times.

Footlogix also was successful from that point on with HSN as they worked for years introducing the brand to our end users which in turn sent them to our Salons.

By end of day and evening arrived, we celebrated over dinner and talked about future opportunities.

It was April of 2008 when my first shipment of Footlogix arrived at my Centre For Beauty warehouse. I’ve been sharing the brand ever since.

And….on a side note. In July of 2008 through December of 2013 I was asked to be the National Sales Director for Footlogix. Heading the charge to introduce Footlogix into the USA. Needless to say, to this day…I am very familiar with the brand.

Why Footlogix?

As my Business has progressed over the years, I’ve come to realize there are only a few ingredients which truly work to repair the skin. Urea is one of them.

Urea is a hygroscopic. It penetrates into the layers of the epidermis which allows repair from the inside out.

As I take on new products, Footlogix still has it’s place. It is non-scented which makes it great for any clinical atmosphere. It is non-greasy which appeals to men. It’s effective in the repair of dry, cracked, peeling skin.

Why LCN?

LCN was a product of survival.

In 2015 I was made aware that Footlogix was heading into the big box stores. It didn’t settle well with me for many reasons. However, the biggest reason was because this big box store had 200 locations right out my back door. To say I was a bit angry is an understatement. However, I was more afraid of losing my Business than anything.

It almost happened. My Business decreased by 62%.

I searched for new products over a 9 month period. It wasn’t easy. I believed (still do) in Footlogix and it would go against everything I believed and I taught over a 5 year period IF I chose another brand which didn’t offer what Footlogix had to offer. It was NOT easy.

Then….one day…..

My dear friend and Business cohort posted a picture on facebook of a client he performed a service on using LCN products. I remember specifically calling him and asking if he was cheating on me. After all, he was a Footlogix client of mine.

It was Nellie Neal who introduced me too LCN.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that LCN was also urea based. The same, yet different.

LCN is able to offer what Footlogix can’t. Results with luxury!

I’ll admit, at first I saw this brand taking over my entire inventory. However, as time rolled on and I learned more….I realized and got very excited at how compatible the brands are together.

I was excited because it was at that time, I would be able to offer the best of both worlds.

When I brought LCN on at the end of 2015, it was less than a chore than I originally expected. Whether clients were looking for a change or whether they were thinking like I was with Footlogix. It’s a great product, yet something (didn’t know what), something was missing.

The missing piece, I soon discovered was Luxury!

LCN has many of the same products which Footlogix has, but it isn’t a mousse product and it isn’t scent free. However, it does produce the same amazing results.

Since taking on the LCN line my clients have introduced me to many various ways the products can be used together. We have discovered over time, items in each brand which is best for certain conditions, and some maybe not so much.

We have discovered over time, the benefit of having both products on our shelves for retail. In short, we have discovered over time, the need for both.

PODOSAFE was a result of a couple of things.

1. I thought maybe I wanted to venture into the Medical market. I thought I could find a product which was conducive to being Medical grade but not necessarily used in the Salon Foot Care arena. I was trying to tap into another market.
2. I was purposely trying to step out of the box. Full transparency here…..when your clients can skip over you and go direct to the Mfg…..it doesn’t settle well. After all, how would you feel if you found a Centre For Beauty amazon store selling to “your” clients?

This box I was in, not only included you, my clients….it’s includes my Mfg. Footlogix and LCN. the fight sometimes gets exhausting. It’s truly not fair, however…it is what it is.

So I thought, if I could find a product not available to our Industry, yet opens a world for the Medical foot care industry….it’s a win win situation.

For me, this was super exciting. How lucky could I be to have found three(3) brands which have the same base ingredient I so truly believe in yet……offer 3 different services. The same…yet different?

Let’s now go into the Salon……how do we use them and how do we market them?

I am certainly not the guru of feet. However, being a former Salon owner and a licensed Nail Technician of over 30 years, I would have to say….I know a little 🙂

What I know is;

• You can’t have 50 different product lines you use in your Salon. If you do, Ibet most of them just sit in your stock room.
• You have to use products you believe in. Products you can talk about. Products/services you can be excited about.
• You have to work smarter….not harder
• You have to care first about your Customer, 2nd about the money.

I believe all 3 of the worlds have a purpose.

• Footlogix – Clinical
  • Perfect for the more clinical service in a clinical like atmosphere with amazing results
• LCN – Luxurious
  • Perfect for offering pampering yet with amazing results
• PodoSafe – Solution
  • Perfect for a stand alone callus solution service

The great thing about all 3 brands, they are compatible. I have many clients who choose to mix and match because they can.

Personally, I would keep the systems separate in the service arena because I feel we have limited amount of ways to increase our income in our service arena s Pedicurist. We need to highlight what we offer in stand alone services. Believe in them, promote them, use them as a tool to improve your clients feet and teaching them how to manage the skin on their feet between visits.

However, when it comes to retail…let your clients choose what best suites them

Would they prefer a mousse formula application?

Do they like the luxury feel of a cream?

Or maybe the easy application of a roll on?

With Footlogix and LCN….you can offer all 3

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