Resume

Name: Galina Rovner
Title: President
Company: Spa Radiance, San Francisco.
Number of Employees: 30
Year Founded: 1976
Source of startup capital: Personal Savings
Background: No other careers. Went to a four year skin care therapy (aesthetics) school in Moscow. Worked in the field in Russia, but the money went to the Communist Party and she got a $100 monthly salary. Moved to the United States with her husband in 1974.
Age: 58
Residence: San Francisco
Web site: www.sparadiance.com


Big Picture

Reason for starting business: My mom and my grandmother and, I think, as far back as my great grandmother (they all died in WWII when the Nazis came), they all worked in skin care. My father was a barber and my husband is a barber and still cuts hair on Mission Street. That's all I wanted to do.
Most difficult part of decision: When I came to America, people did the facials where you wanted the person to sleep relaxing kind of facials. And I didn't want to do that. I wanted to do facials for acne and aging. I didn't know if people would react to my kind of treatment.
Biggest plus of ownership: Doing what you want to do, what you feel is the right decision. You get to grow on your own pace. You get to be more of a leader than a follower.
Biggest drawback: You are responsible for so many people, and that's very hard. You have so many clients and you have to make sure your employees are trained correctly.
Biggest misconception: I thought it was going to be one happy family at all times. But not everybody's happy at all times. Coming from Russia you have a big work ethic. You work, no matter what.
Biggest business strength: I do the treatments. That's a must. If somebody doesn't come to work, I will take care of the clients.
Biggest business weakness: It takes a lot of time to treat people all the time. If an employee leaves, there's so much to teach a new person. There's a big dependency for everyone to be excellent all the time.
Biggest risk: Going from downtown, where we used to be, to the Marina. We were downtown for 23 years. It was very scary, but it's been great.
Biggest mistake: There was more than one, obviously when you do a business. In the old place the rooms were different sides and it gave people a sense of being not as good. I made sure the rooms were all the same size in the new place so people would feel equal.
Smartest move: Investing in very expensive equipment. Constantly putting money into the business.
Biggest worry: Clients. Making sure we have enough clients. Training people so when clients come they have a great treatment.
Top source of inspiration: I get very inspired by Europe. They're very ahead of us in spa treatments there. They're more health-oriented and less quick fix.


Daily Routine

Most challenging task: I still do treatments. Not doing the same treatment all the time. I never want to get stuck.
Favorite task: Doing treatments.
Least favorite task: Accounting. I absolutely hate it.
Biggest frustration: When somebody else (or me) doesn't do a good treatment and a client calls and isn't happy. They come from this (attitude) that we did it on purpose.
Source of support in a business crisis: Me, my daughter and the spa director meet twice a week. That's our support group.


Dreams

Key goal yet to achieve: Nothing that I haven't achieved yet. I always want to be on top of what's best for our clients.
First move with capital windfall: Probably it would be making it more where we have Jacuzzis and saunas and a tearoom where clients can relax. In San Francisco it's difficult because real estate is so expensive.
Five-year plan: I don't want to grow. I want to be exactly where I am.
Inducement to sell: None. Not yet. I actually have nightmares about it. I wake up thinking I just sold the business.
First choice for new career or venture: Medical, maybe. I could do all the things we can't.


Personals

Most admired entrepreneur: Oprah Winfrey.
Most Interested in meeting: Gorbachev. I'd love to have a non-political talk with him.
Stress reducers: I go to Calistoga for the weekend.
Favorite pastimes: My grandchild. I spend time with him. He is 17 and loves sushi - he's been eating it since he was 4.
Favorite book: "War and Peace." I've read it about six times. I named my dog after Pierre. I've had two Pierres.
Favorite film: "War and Peace." It's an amazing movie.
Favorite restaurant: Rosie's on Union, for lunch. Le Colonial for dinner.
Favorite destination: Calistoga.
Automobile: Lexus 4-wheel drive.