As we celebrate 25 years in the Beauty Industry, we thought it would be the perfect time to look back over where we started and how far we’ve come. Take a look at the history of Dreamers below, narrated by our wonderful leader, Suzanne.
Local beginnings…
I had owned a clinic in KatiKati before creating Dreamers Beauty Clinic, but Dreamers itself started downstairs in Cherry Court in 1997.
Jo joined Dreamers a couple of years later and has been by my side ever since.
We then moved to Main Road Katikati, before heading off to Fantail Lodge.
Not ones to stay still for too long we then moved to the house where the current library is located and at this point I became Sole Owner.
This is also where D’Arna joined our team and stayed with us for ten years.
Then finally we moved into our current Clinic on Jocelyn Street in about 2012.
Though venues have changed and staff have come and gone, we’ve maintained our exceptional service, technical excellence, and our drive to show clients that we genuinely care.
Our oldest client is 98 and I’ve been working in the industry for over 42 years now.
Things have changed a little along the way!
I began with a three year apprenticeship in Wellington when I was 17 years old before opening my first clinic when I was 20 in Johnsonville.
We first moved to Katikati and I tried my hand at Kiwifruit before realising my heart lay with the beauty industry. My first clinic was called ‘La Femme’ which was where the little blue house used to be and is where the library is now (it was brown when I was there).
When we realised that the industry was offering so much more and clients were wanting to see results, especially with skin, Jo and I took the opportunity to up-skill and began training in medical grade treatments, something that would prove hugely beneficial for the future.
I met Educational Trainer Christa Dickson over 10 years ago and she provided Dreamers with all the skills around skin and body that we needed to get us where we are today. I still consider her to be the best Educational Trainer in the industry. Christa changed our direction in the Beauty Industry for the better.
Over the years she has become a close friend and rumour has it Dreamers in KatiKati was her favourite clinic to visit for training!
Over the next few years the Clinic staff grew to four and has remained at that ever since.
Highs and lows over the years...
The best part of owning Dreamers throughout the years has been meeting new clients and staff and forming lifelong friendships with both.
I’ve made a friend for life in Jo and have loved having her with me at each and every step.
We’ve had some great, fun times with trips to Fiji to attend the Pure Fiji conference and to the Beauty Expo in Sydney.
We’ve also tried our best to support the local Katikati community, deciding to raise money for a local, young talent. With the help of the KatiKati college we choose a young man called Louie who had amazing talent and the attitude to go a long way. We raised close to $10,000 over a period of about two years. One event we held was a talent quest at the memorial hall. Entertaining around 150 people was an extremely hard task but the ‘Dream team’ along side family, friends and clients pulled off an amazing night. Louie has now left school and is still playing his guitar and singing.
Our biggest achievement to date is reaching 25 years in business, particularly given the challenges we’ve faced due to the Covid pandemic over the last few years.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all the wonderful clients, friends and staff who have helped us during these tough times.
Your love and support never goes unnoticed and we wouldn’t be where we are without you.
Here's to the future...
I’ve spent over 42 years in the industry, so my aim now is to stay a ‘hands on owner’ but to step back a little and enjoy some time with my growing family.
Having said that, I’ll always be involved at Clinic level as that’s where my passion lies!
I can’t wait to see where Dreamers heads to next and our next aim is to reach the 30 years milestone.
If I can do that and still have Jo by my side, I’ll have achieved more than I ever dreamed.
New and better science continues to be introduced to the industry.
Keeping abreast of new technology allows us to offer more advanced treatments and products to clients to obtain better results.
Dreamers has always had an ongoing commitment to training to keep up with the latest techniques and as we celebrate 25 years in the Beauty Industry, we’ll carry on striving to learn more and keep delivering results.
Thanks for all your support and here’s to the next 25 years…
Jo in the Clinic upstairs on the Main Road.
Dreamers celebrate their 15th birthday with Hawaiian Day!
Jo, Suzanne and D’Arna at the Pure Fiji Conference in Fiji 2016.
So many gifts at Christmas at Dreamers.
Memories from the Pure Fiji Conference in Fiji 2016.
Dermapen training in Auckland.
Jo and Suzanne at the Beauty Expo Tauranga 2001.
Suzanne, D’Arna and Jo taking some time out at the Pure Fiji Conference in Fiji 2016.
D’Arna, Suzanne and Jo at the Sydney Beauty Expo.
Suzanne and Jo checking out the local thrills in Australia!
D’Arna and Suzanne keeping cool in Australia.
Freda our oldest client at 99 years old!
Jo and Suzanne relaxing after a very hot day.
Louie with the team.
Enjoying Christmas Eve after a hard week.
Upstairs, Main Road Katikati.
Our special guest Nelly, just before she found the perfect home.
Christa and Suzanne at a lovely vineyard in Christchurch.
Suzanne and Jo off to Christchurch for some Dermapen training.
D’Arna’s 10th Birthday with Dreamers