Career Ladder
Career Ladder
Chleo Enterprises' Digital Marketing Executive Caroline Quinlan tells us how work experience in a local beauty salon led to a varied and exciting career in the industry.Believe in yourself, don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you can – a can-do attitude will get you very far!
Did you always want to go into beauty?
I did work experience when I was 16 in a local beauty salon and fell in love with the products, treatments and customer-focused nature of the business. I knew from then on, I wanted to be apart of the beauty industry.
What are your qualifications?
I did beauty and body therapy first at Kilkenny College of Beauty and gained my CIDESCO international diploma 20 years ago this year! I later went back to college to study holistic therapies at Carlow VEC gaining ITEC diplomas in reflexology, aromatherapy and stress management. I did lots of brand and product training over the years and received a diploma from the International Dermal Institute for my studies in skin. I then gained a training qualification and more recently I got qualified in social media and digital marketing. Learning is essential for me because the industry is involving so fast if you don't adapt and move with it you'll be left behind, and I don't want that, so I keep learning whenever I can.
What was your first job?
My first paying beauty therapy job was in a beauty & aromatherapy clinic in Carlow called Rosewood. I loved this job and had such a great experience. Mary, the owner, highlighted the importance of customer service and providing an experience, not just a treatment to each customer that visited. Customer care was key to how she grew her business and retained her client base, so I understood this very early on in my career.
What is your job now?
I am currently a digital marketing executive for Chelo Enterprises who distribute beauty brands across Ireland and the UK including ARTDECO, MISSLYN, SOTHYS, PERRON RIGOT, DMK & Diego Dalla Palma. I am also a beauty writer for the Carlow Nationalist in my spare time writing a full-page article every fortnight on all things beauty.
What have been the biggest turning points in your career?
My career has three chapters to it – beauty/retail, training and marketing – but all roles have always been in the beauty industry. The biggest changing points for me where when I became a Dermalogica senior educator followed by my role as head of education for Phorest Salon Software. Returning to study and achieving my marketing qualification was another moment when my career made a shift forward again and opened more doors.
Have you had any setbacks over the years?
When I first became a trainer eight years ago and was due to teach my first group I had a bit of a wobbler and thought about quitting as i felt very nervous. I went in and did it anyway and surprised myself because not only did I enjoy it but I was also quite good at it. I am so glad I didn't quit and now when I think I can't do something or doubt myself I just try
anyway, and I often surprise myself. it was a good lesson.
What has been your biggest/proudest achievement to date?
Designing training workshops for Phorest Salon Software that were delivered all over the world – without a doubt!
What is your ultimate ambition? How this changed over the years?
My goals always move… but my ambition has always been and still is to be the best at whatever I do and to love what I do! I like to work for the best companies, brand and products in the beauty industry because I
know they are on the top of their game and I will learn from them.
What advice would you give a student who wants to achieve what
you have achieved?
Believe in yourself, don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you can – a can-do attitude will get you very far! Keep pushing yourself and learning new skills as the industry changes you don't want to be left behind. Learning doesn't end after college!
Believe in yourself, don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you can - a can-do attitude will get you very far!
