Six months ago, I interviewed Ruth Lanslay of Happy Feet in Competa. She had only just moved to the area, both her home & clinic were yet to be fully renovated and she was both apprehensive and excited about what lay ahead.
Today we are chatting in her lovely clinic. I’m sitting on the wonderfully comfortable patient chair which I can only guess wasn’t one of her cheapest purchases! The clinic is finished with a small waiting area and toilet facilities along with a room for herself and her patients. Here Ruth can privately take care, diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. Ruth can also treat and alleviate day-to-day foot problems, including: toenail problems, such as thickened toenails, fungal nail infections or ingrown toenails. corns and calluses.
So, the main question is how has the business progressed since we last spoke and has Ruth settled in? I knew when I asked her this question, I would get an honest answer. This was what I liked about her when we first met. She never exaggerated, she admitted when things were hard work but also showed true delight when her treatments made a difference to someone’s life. Her answer was again delivered with honesty, she never expected to make her fortune in Competa. The last 6 months have just about been slightly been better than she originally foresaw which is great news. Clients are now booking treatments on a regular basis and she is continually picking up new clients due to her advertising and reference through word of mouth. She expects the next 6 months to be once again on track or even better than what she had hoped for. Ruth didn’t have to get used to how she works as she is doing exactly what she did in the UK. The difference is the scheduling of her work, this has taken some getting used to. Clients book last minute appointments and her diary is rarely full at the beginning of the week but often is by the end of the week!
Some of the changes Ruth has made over the last 6 months are she no longer has specific working hours; her appointment times are now more flexible to suit her client’s needs. Also, many of her clients are elderly and not agile enough to reach her clinic so she will now agree to home visits. All appointments are scheduled by email, phone or Facebook of which all details are on the advert opposite
I ask what a standard appointment is, for 25 euro Ruth cuts nails and removes the hard skin, often removing corns and calluses and discusses any problems and if time allows treats the problem then and there. What seemed really important was the advice she could give to look after your feet along with providing the necessary tools to help solve or alleviate issues such as inner soles, blocks or mouldings for support.
Lastly how have Ruth and Dave settled in? They admitted the hardest thing was leaving family back in the UK , however a little UK family “fix” in January is planned which will help. They are settling in & have integrated into the Competa community, have joined walking groups and choirs and are happy here in the village and are really pleased that “Happy Feet” is working as planned and they are looking forward to the future ahead.
