Episode 155

full
Published on:

1st May 2026

Perfection is a Work in Progress: Scaling Skin Clinics with Emma Coleman

From a registered general nurse to the owner of three thriving skin clinics in North Kent, Emma Coleman is a testament to the power of the "side hustle" and the importance of clinical expertise in the beauty industry. In this episode, she gets honest about the "busy fool" stage of her early business, the reality of bootstrapping, and why she records her first podcast from a store cupboard.

🎙️ Episode Summary

Dr. Brenda Hector sits down with Emma Coleman, founder of Emma Coleman Skin, to discuss her transition from 20 years in the NHS to scaling a multi-clinic brand. Emma reveals how she managed three jobs and three small children while starting a clinic in her own home to save costs . They dive into the complexities of scaling through acquisition, the emotional connection people have with their skin, and why "done is better than perfect" is the only way to launch. This is an episode for anyone who needs a reminder that the path to success is rarely glamorous but always worthwhile.

The Hook: What do nursing on a hospital ward and running a business have in common? More than you think. Emma Coleman shares how she swapped the NHS for a skin clinic chain.

Key Topics:

  • The Clinical Edge: Transitioning from an RGN in the NHS to a specialized dermatology nurse in private practice .
  • The "Busy Fool" Stage: Managing three income streams and school runs while building a business foundation .
  • Bootstrapping & Acquisition: The challenges of taking over an existing beauty salon and turning it into a medical-grade clinic.
  • Team & Culture: Moving from a solo founder to a team of 10 and the "nerve-wracking" reality of recruitment.
  • Founder Advice: Why perfection is the enemy of progress and the power of daily manifestation.

Estimated Timestamps:

  • [00:01:00] Intro to Emma Coleman Skin: From facials to minor surgery.
  • [00:03:00] Leaving the NHS: The 2015 decision to go "all in".
  • [00:08:40] Scaling through acquisition: Inheriting staff and changing culture.
  • [00:11:40] The Money Talk: Cash flow, bootstrapping, and daily monitoring.
  • [00:16:10] The confidence of skin: Treating acne and boosting self-esteem.
  • [00:22:20] "Done is better than perfect": Advice for the next generation of founders.
  • [00:33:30] Real Talk: Recording from the store cupboard
Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Support Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success

About the Podcast

Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success
The Female Entrepreneur Show. Sharing business expertise, start-up experiences and business growth strategies to overcome challenges
If you are a female business owner, self-employed freelancer, or girl boss who wants to build a successful business i.e. work less hours, make more money, and get better results from your staff, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Dr Brenda Hector MBA from ActionCOACH UK, this podcast provides relatable and accessible business advice and inspiration from successful businesswomen who have been there and done it before you.

This podcast is where you can
• hear female business stories
• share business success
• learn how to overcome business challenges
• get advice for businesswomen aspiring to success
• find out what needs to change
• discover how we can bring about that business revolution

Only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs are female.
UK men are 5 times more likely than women to build a business of over ÂŁ1million turnover

If UK women matched UK men in starting and scaling businesses, it would add ÂŁ250 billion to the UK economy (Alison Rose, The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2018)

As a woman in business, a business coach, and a business growth expert, Brenda’s mission is to help business owners grow their companies, achieve their goals and live the lifestyle of their dreams. She's the help you need to grow your business.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Brenda Hector

Brenda Hector

I’m Brenda Hector — entrepreneur, business coach, podcast host and writer — and I help ambitious female business owners turn hard work into real results: higher profits, better team performance, and more time back.
If your business relies too heavily on you, growth feels messy, or you’re “successful on paper” but exhausted in real life, you’re not alone — and it’s fixable. My work is about building a business that performs consistently, develops leaders, and supports you to step up and step back when you choose.
On Scale Her Up: The Female Entrepreneur Show, I spotlight women who are building brilliant businesses and share tools and insights to accelerate progress and improve gender balance in entrepreneurship.
"Because being in business should give you more life"