Meet Lisa.
Lisa Collinson
from
Blue Bells Beauty
Tell us about yourself
I was born and grew up in Richmond NSW, so I'm a true local, I have two adult children and I'm now enjoying empty nester life with my husband in Kurrajong. I love to focus on yoga and pilates for body and mental health. I love the garden and I'm a keen veggie grower. I started my beauty career 20 years ago and love everything about it.
Tell us about your business
I opened my beauty business almost 20 years ago. Starting as a home salon then moving into a shop front in Richmond 14 years ago. My clients range from young teenagers to woman in their 80s. I love to help them with their skin care in the salon and also home skin care and routines. The absolute passion of my profession is skin treatments, and spa body and massage treatments. I offer traditional beauty therapies and advanced skin treatments. Also I've just added laser and IPL skin treatments to the salon including tattoo removal. The beauty industry is changing all the time so there is lots of study and extra courses needed to keep up with the latest innovations.
What's the heart behind your business?
My why is to make people feel happy and good within themselves. It's not about beauty, it's about skin health and loving the skin you're in. If there is an issue you’re unhappy with, we can address it and work on a plan to make things better for you. It's all about helping our clients feel confident. I have a big focus on letting woman know that smile lines are in, wrinkles are normal and that those spots on your chin is a fact of life. The best filter is your own smile.
What does a typical, or ideal, work day look like for you?
They are long days and physically demanding. Firstly, checking what is booked in for the day and checking all clients are confirmed. Then setting the treatment rooms for whatever treatments are booked in. The great thing about beauty therapy is that every appointment is for a different treatment, so we have such a variety of work. It's important to run on time so everything is scheduled down to within 5 minutes. No, we don't just play with makeup all day! In-between clients are the constant, washing, sanitizing, resetting of treatment rooms, study, zoom meetings, phone calls, retail sales, phone enquiries, moping, vacuuming and a lot of fun. Then when you think your day is done, you just squeeze in that urgent appointment.
Have there been any struggles in your business that you've overcome? What did you learn from them?
I firstly opened in a recession, and no one thought I'd last, but I'm still here. Over the years I've had very slow trade due to uncertain times and issues with finding the right staff. Finding the right products to provide is also a very long and expensive process. I’ve made mistakes with different machinery that I thought would be a good fit. The 2 Covid lock downs that equaled to 8 months of no work was by far the worst time of running the business. The unknowing was so disheartening, so coming back from that and having a thriving business again is probably my proudest achievement. Also, the weather in the Hawkesbury has a big impact on small and bigger business. The floods and fires we had have been absolutely devastating to the community and businesses of all types. Again, no income and the uncertainty of my business survival has been a massive struggle. I now just take one week at a time and try not to let my business overwhelm me. I have learnt how to manage the everyday challenges so much better over the last few years and support all our local businesses the best I can. Also, online sales have become overpowering for the beauty industry, so we try to educate our clients that products recommended by a professional face to face is a safer way of spending your hard-earned money.
What's been a highlight for you in business?
I have so many highlights! I just enjoy seeing my clients happy with their treatments and products that are recommended. I'm very happy to be able to employee local young women and train them well in an industry that is amazing. Most of all, I get to meet and talk to the most amazing inspirational woman from all walks of life every day.
What advice would you give others wanting to start a business?
Have family support. Be prepared to work 7 days a week on your business model. Check with council for all requirements if going into a shop front area. Do what you believe and not what others want of you. Make sure your staff are given exceptional training and coaching.
How can people find you?
www.bluebellsbeautysalon.com
https://www.facebook.com/bellsskinspa
https://www.instagram.com/bluebellsbeauty