Entrepreneur Kate Percival is the founder of Grace Belgravia, a women-only member’s club “built on a philosophy that to thrive in today’s society we need to invest in our greatest asset: our health.” She tells us why a focus on wellbeing is so crucial for busy working women, the importance of “me time” and how it’s never too late to return to education.

Tell us about your career path so far, and why you decided to set up Grace Belgravia

My first career was in the property industry, creating marketing and branding campaigns for clients. Having sold my business to Chime Communications, I became chairman of creative and marketing services for the group. In 2008, I decided on a career change and studied for a master’s in luxury brands and services, and my thesis was on the convergence of medicine and the global spa industry, for which I won the university thesis prize. This provided the basis of the business plan of Grace: a space that is a sanctuary for women; a place that supports them in health and wellbeing as well as in mind and soul.

What made you decide to return to education and study for a master’s degree?

Having specialised in the real estate sector for over 20 years, I felt I needed to know more about luxury brands to expand my expertise as a marketing and branding consultant and the most expedient way of doing this was by doing the Masters.

Why did you decide to make Grace Belgravia a women-only club?

Women spend their lives multitasking, always putting family and work before their own health. I knew it was time for women to have their own space. I wanted to create a place where women could come and feel nurtured, cared for and intellectually stimulated. We talk about empowering women, giving them the tools to go out and be the best they can be. Grace is not remotely anti-men, just very pro-women.

The health and wellness industry is booming at the moment – what do you think has triggered this?

I think we all spend our time multitasking at an ever-increasing pace, always putting family, friends and careers before our own health. Most of us are working 24/7 due to the intrusion of the internet and stress levels have never been higher. We all know that stress is a major cause of many diseases from heart attacks, strokes and cancer. There has now been a push back against this, as people are recognising the importance of having their own time and space to focus on their wellbeing – whether that’s through fitness, healthy eating, spa relaxation or retreat holidays. We all want to live longer, but in a healthy way.

How important is it to take time out from our busy lives and focus on our health?

It’s incredibly important, if not essential. I realised that women are too hard on themselves, that they need a very special place to be safe, to be nurtured and empowered and to help them be the very best they can be. That realisation that having a space for “me time”, where you can restore the balance of workand play, recharge, meet empathetic people and have some fun at the same time is hugely valuable. We have created a haven at Grace, with everything from medical services to spa treatments, healthy eating to the best in fitness and an eclectic events programme to complete the mind, body, soul circle.

What is the one lifestyle change that you think could make the biggest difference for busy working women?

Actually stopping and enjoying the moment. Women fill every second of their lives being busy and it is not healthy. Meditation, mindfulness, yoga, exercise, music, art, culture, healthy eating: all of these things help women to live longer and be happier with themselves and ultimately their families and careers.

What have you learned from the process of setting up and running your own businesses?

Raising the finance was the first and most stressful, followed by getting 1,068sq m of grade II listed space fitted out and interior designed in five months to ensure we did not miss the autumn market of 2012. To be honest I am so passionate about what we have created at Grace and how good it makes our member’s feel that I pretty much bounce out of bed most days, but everyone has days of despondency feeling that however hard one works it is never enough.

Confidence plays a very large part in being successful, which is very much what we encourage at Grace, so the kind words that we receive from members about their experiences gives me that boost to keep going. Every day brings another member and another step towards the business becoming a real success.

So what have I learned? To have true grit!