High-flying executive has quit the corporate world to join fast-growing franchise Laser Clinics Australia – and her Neutral Bay customers are already enjoying the benefits.
Micky Bittoun, whose 20-year career spans executive roles with IBM, 3 and Apple, opened the doors at her Sydney clinic in late August and has quickly established a strong clientele for Laser Clinics Australia’s three key treatment areas: laser hair removal, cosmetic injections and cosmedical grade skin treatments. She made the switch to follow a passion for running her own business and is now part of the franchise’s burgeoning presence in Australia.
Bittoun, who has management training experience through the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and Harvard Business School, underwent an intensive application process with Laser Clinics Australia that involved checking out competitors, presenting best-case and worst-case financial scenarios and outlining possible local area marketing plans.
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
I always loved animals and I wanted to be a Vet and somehow work in a Zoo. It was a bit of a dream that I didn’t pursue at all.
Who inspires you?
My greatest inspiration is coffee, I don’t even enjoy it, it is a means to an end. It is the thing that makes me go on!
Everyone in every way inspires me somehow; even people who do stupid things inspire me on how not to behave. Then there are those absolutely fabulous people like Tina Fey and Bette Midler, people who are so incredibly smart and funny (my two most admired characteristics in a person).
Who (apart from you) is most surprised by your achievements?
I have a few so-called friends that are ‘green with surprise’, and I could attach their Linkedin profiles, but that would be bad Karma. Apart from some schoolteachers, I probably could not name too many people, as I think most of the people I surround myself with are very supportive and high achievers themselves. Delighted is probably a better word.
How have women helped shape your success to date?
I find women to be quite supportive in many ways, I am always open to take on advice from other working mother, even small ideas and hacks to get through the days chores a little faster, how to focus on the things that matter and that can make an immediate difference.
The women in my family are all fiercely strong and resilient, from my grandmother, my mother and my mother-in-law. I am continually impressed at their achievements and ability to overcome adversity.
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
I live by the adage that “If you don’t laugh, you cry”. Things can go horribly wrong at work and sometimes its completely out of your control, and its about figuring out what happened and why, learning from the situation and moving along with a semi-smile on your face. I admire women who appreciate the life they have, that fight through adversity and still manage to turn up to work and laugh through the day. I admire women who are single mothers and work full time, and still manage to do a great job – I have two such ladies in my team and they work incredibly hard.
What’s the key to successfully balancing work and life?
I believe there is no key; there is no balancing just constant juggling. I know everyone is aiming for that elusive balancing act, and all you can do is your best. Really just look around you and see what can make the most difference as quickly as possible. Maybe you don’t have to do class school reading once a week, but you do have to take the kids to their friends birthday parties. So “successful”, I think is how you judge yourself and not worry what others think. I know that at this stage there is no “Me” time – and I am okay with that.
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
I would sleep; sleep like I have jet lag.
Who do you regard as your mentor?
Probably my husband, I run ideas past him and problems. I ask him about why I do what I do and how to do it better.
What personal attributes have you used to overcome adversity in your life?
I am very resilient; I am optimistic and extremely loyal – probably to a fault. Those three attributes have got me through many adverse situations in my career and personal life.
If you could make one change to women’s lives, what would it be and why?
I know it’s everyone’s issue, but childcare. Its difficult, expensive and could be made so much easier during drop off and pick up times. I don’t know why school starts at 5 years old – why isn’t daycare free like schooling. And why do school times start and finish at such ridiculous hours? I will get off my soapbox now. This is the one thing that could make a huge difference to Australian women.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Staff is the toughest one, making sure the right people are doing the right job. Making sure everyone I work with is content and working to their ability. One bad egg can completely destroy a culture, so who you hire is very important. Many times I have not trusted my instinct and regretted it.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to success in your field?
Believe in yourself. You are completely capable. Women are often much more doubting of their ability than men. Women look at all the positives and negatives, and the potential for failure. Whereas men seem to think they can do anything and can take over the world. I do not believe this comes naturally to women, as we are always thinking of managing outcomes and doing The Great Juggling Act.
My only advice really, is this equation, Happy Staff = Happy Customers. The rest will fall into place (cannot be overlooked, but will generally land where it needs to).