Inverness BID Small Business Focus Q&A: Champion your team and you all succeed together
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Small Business Focus in association with Inverness BID
Q How would you describe your business to a stranger?
A We’re a hair and beauty salon – a one-stop-shop! We take care of everything; from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. We have just recently introduced our collagen lift which uses radio frequency to lift any part of the body!
Q What inspired you to start the business?
A My passion has always been to work alongside women – to see the best in someone and draw that out – equipping women to be the best that they can be in whatever area in their life. Working in a beauty salon gave me the vehicle to use that passion. I had worked for the Caledonian Hotel for years, working up from waitress to conference and events manager, and then for Thistle hotels.
But I wanted to give more time to my children and husband and I heard there was a receptionist job at the salon. After a few months the owner asked me to manage the salon. I did that for seven years and when she wanted to sell up she gave me the opportunity. My passion lies in the business side – my staff, my customers and helping to develop young people and mentor them.
Q How has your business developed?
A I’m always striving to develop the business, my head is always full of ideas! Upstairs, I created the pamper suite – it’s a large space overlooking Inverness Castle and it allows us to do private parties, pamper parties, make-up masterclasses. My vision was to create the experience when I have my girlfriends round to my house, having a glass of wine – that kind of relaxed feel.
Q What are your plans to develop your business in the future?
A I want to go more mobile for clients who can’t get out. Where we can go to a client’s home or to a residential home to do treatments.
Q What lessons have you learnt from your time in business?
A I understand very well that I don’t succeed by myself. It’s not a one-woman-show. I succeed with the team around me so choosing the right people around you is important, even if they are the opposite to you. They can challenge you. I don’t look for ‘yes’ people, I look for people who will perhaps disagree with me – in the right way! I’ve learned that makes a great team, a diverse team. As a black woman, diversity is really important. I’m always looking for that.
Q What’s your vision for Inverness city centre?
A Inverness has, in the last four or five years, changed dramatically. I’m very passionate about keeping businesses as local as possible so I get frustrated when I’m forced to shop online. I see it from all different avenues – from being a plus-size woman, from being a black woman – I’ve challenged all these things over the years. That’s something I’m very proud of. Inverness has a long way to go with regards to diversity and opening itself up to different cultures but it has done extremely well in the 36 years I’ve been here. The Inverness Gift Card is great and should be pushed all year round and put into local stores. It’s about opening it more, that card is the key.
Q Can you tell us something interesting about yourself?
A During Covid I gained a diploma in life coaching and trained to be an NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner; working with people, their communications skills and personal development. It was a very challenging course but I was very proud of myself when I got that diploma. It has helped me deal with stress and anxiety, and know my triggers. It’s given me a lot more tools than I had before and I use it to support others around me.
