A North East entrepreneur has invested over £100,000 to launch a state of the art laser clinic in Heaton, thanks to help from North Tyneside Business Factory and the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme (NEA).
Ray Wilkey worked for over 15 years in the oil and gas industry selling subsea systems before redundancy gave him the push he needed to set up his own business and launch the first Clearskin clinic in Heaton.
The idea first came to Ray during research for tattoo removal methods and it became clear that many of the lasers being used to provide tattoo removal services in and around Newcastle were not effective enough to offer a quality service to customers.
After redundancy made him look to change career, Ray researched new advancements in laser technology and identified that by undertaking specialist training and investment, there was an opportunity to offer high quality medical grade laser treatments to customers.
Clearskin founder, Ray Wilkey, comments: “Probably unbeknownst to many people is that laser skin treatments can be carried out using lasers of any particular age or quality. It’s why so many customers don’t see the results they anticipated when first undergoing treatments and I spotted an obvious gap in the market to create a clinic that offered treatments with real results by investing in high quality equipment.
“I have invested over £100,000 into Clearskin with class 4 medical grade lasers supplied by Lynton Lasers the UK’s No1 aesthetics laser supplier and operated by a skilled team who have undergone advanced training in their field. As a qualified engineer myself, I knew the equipment we invested in had to offer the very best for our customers and I’m pleased to say we are now one of only a select number of clinics in the North East using the most up to date laser technology.
“We offer an array of treatments at the clinic including laser hair removal and pigmentation correction, removal of thread veins, laser tattoo removal of all treatable colours and laser skin rejuvenation in addition to aesthetic anti-wrinkle and filler treatments through a qualified nurse. We’re also offering 50% discount on treatments to anyone requiring facial hair removal due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)”
Ray invested his own funds into the new venture along with a business loan via the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme (NEA). North Tyneside Business Factory advisor, Nicky Gray offered Ray a one-to-one mentoring service to advise on all aspects of setting up the new venture and was instrumental in helping Ray apply for and successfully receive a business loan through the NEA programme.
Ray continues: “Nicky was incredibly helpful in giving me the support I needed in the early pre-start period with business mentoring on all aspects including detailed planning and financials. Her guidance was vital in helping to secure an additional loan through the NEA to finance part of the start-up costs and her belief in the business model was clear.
“Laser treatments offer real results to customers and are a big business opportunity we intend to capitalise on with future growth planned once Clearskin is established in Heaton. Ideally we would like to open additional premises but for now, we are focused on expanding our customer base and building a strong reputation in the field of laser skin treatments.
Ray worked with the North Tyneside Business Factory, which is funded by the ERDF and delivered in North Tyneside by TEDCO Business Support. The Business factory is dedicated to offering assistance to new and growing businesses across all areas of private and social enterprise.
Nicky Gray, business advisor at The Business Factory, comments: “Ray had researched the laser treatment sector meticulously and so had a robust business plan of how to make this venture stand out from the crowd. By investing in quality equipment that elevates the business proposition and puts the customer experience first, Ray is already well on the road to creating a successful business and develop Clearskin clinics further. It has been a real pleasure to work alongside him in supporting his business and I wish him the very best of luck in taking this new enterprise forward.”