From an early age, Hélène Leblond knew she would be an entrepreneur. The only question was to know in what field. Through various experiences, a path was marked out: aesthetics. Why did she choose it? To take care of people and contribute to their well-being, that’s what drives her.
From a Ranch to an Aesthetics Salon
“I’ve always loved working with people,” says the EQlib co-owner. “Since I was young, I’ve worked on a ranch, in catering, in hospitality, and then as a cosmetician in a pharmacy.” That’s when it all clicked and everything fell in line for the esthetician profession to come to her. “I had always had an interest in beauty, health and wellness in general. I loved biology, working with people, and I wanted to have my own business. This was the perfect business for me.”
Upon completing her training in the early 90s, Hélène landed her first job as an esthetician at The Bay store in downtown Montreal. She soon opened her own practice in her home. “I started as a kid. Then I opened my first space, a small 100 sq. ft. in a hair salon in the east end of Montreal. That’s when I met Josée Chartrand, my current business partner. Josée also had her own salon downtown and since we were both small business owners, we helped each other out. We placed our orders with suppliers together, we took courses and training together, we joined forces to acquire larger equipment. It was in 1998 that we officially became partners.”
Aesthetics, Nutrition, Fitness: a Unique Concept Covering Every Aspect of Well-Being
The business of the two women first opened its doors under the name of Esthétique Chartrand-Leblond and laid the foundation for what would become EQlib: a place where clients are taken care of from A to Z and where treatments include not only aesthetics, but also nutrition and training. Building on their success, the entrepreneurs moved to a larger location in 2005, where their services now include osteopathy, naturopathy, nutrition, training, hairdressing, and medically administered injections, in addition to esthetic care. In 2015, EQlib took its current form, a warm and welcoming beauty centre where clients feel at home.
Advanced Technologies to Answer Adequately to the Needs of the Clients
Josée and Hélène’s shared passion for the paramedical field quickly led them to orient their approach toward treatments requiring state-of-the-art technology. “We immediately wanted to offer the most effective products to our clients.” The constant learning involved in this process delights the manager. “We take regular training courses to keep up with new practices and procedures. We’re very active and never stop learning!”
Not only is she in continued training herself, but she makes it a point to educate her clients. “That’s our mission at EQlib. We try to make people understand that you can’t just put on cream and expect miracles. We get them to think about what they want to achieve and we give them the tools to get there. But it’s not magic. It isn’t enough to come and sit in my chair to make a change. Success depends on the daily actions they take to get there and the time they put in. The hardest part is convincing people of the long-term benefits. We don’t sell immediacy. It’s like going to the gym: the first four to six weeks, you’re sore all over, but the results will come. You just have to show up at the gym with regularity. It’s the same thing: creams and treatments always work, but you have to put in the effort. I’m there to support the person, but it’s up to them. I see myself as a bit of a beauty coach in the end!”
Evolving Alongside a Loyal Clientele
Attentive to each of her clients and their needs, Hélène develops a very special relationship with each of them. “I have clients who have been with me since I started in the east end of Montreal. My long-time clients have been coming to see me for twenty years on average. We grow old together, our children grow up together. I have clients who I knew with young children and who are now grandmothers.”
There is nothing more gratifying for this passionate woman than the testimonies of her clients who thank her for having changed their lives. “I have in mind a lady who is now 75 years old, who has been coming to EQlib for 20 years. When she came to us, she wasn’t doing well, she was sick and had decided to take care of herself. Since then, she has taken advantage of all our services to improve her overall physical condition. Tania’s nutritional advice helped her lose 35 lb and saved her from hip surgery for over 10 years. She stays in shape with our trainers. And now, her granddaughter also consults us via video and says that we have changed her life: she has lost weight, her skin is beautiful, and her self-esteem is flourishing. The learning that our clients make alongside us, they use for the rest of their lives.”
Thanks to a growing online offer and a dynamic, warm and diversified team that welcomes all customers with open arms, the EQlib family will continue to grow, much to Hélène’s delight!