A 21-year-old beauty salon owner in Gloucestershire is finding success amid the pandemic after devising an innovative way to carry on running her business.
Grace Guest-Ford’s salon Omorfia, in Wotton-under-Edge, is currently closed in line with government guidelines - and, she says, financially it’s been “tough”.
According to a report by the Telegraph, some 4,578 hairdressers and salons have closed in Britain since the start of the Covid crisis.
But Grace says the challenges she has faced have just made her “more determined” to succeed.
Her business offers waxing, nail and brow services, tattooing technique microblading and eyelash treatments but she is unable to run her salon under current rules.
In a bid to keep the business going, last year the young entrepreneur launched a YouTube channel - Omorfia by Grace - to teach people about how to apply makeup.
She decided to start selling make-up kits and sending out personalised videos on how to apply the makeup at home. She also began selling made-to-order press-on nail kits and pamper packages.
“My goal is to inspire, empower and encourage women to take some time out to relax and to invest in self-care to help them feel amazing and become the best versions of themselves, and this was my focus when designing and creating my products,” she explained.
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Ms Ford was recently named a finalist in the 海角视频 Hair and Beauty Awards 2021 for Best New Salon and Spotlight Salon of the Year. The awards recognise the achievements of businesses in the hair and beauty industry.
“I am delighted to have been named a finalist,” she said. “I have always wanted my own business. I grew up around very hard-working people - and the pandemic has just made me more ambitious than ever.”
Ms Ford, who receives grant funding of £600 for every two weeks her business is forced to close, believes the Government needs to provide more clarity to the beauty industry on its roadmap to reopening.
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“We were given hardly any notice regarding closure. I am positive and determined to keep my business going, but it was very short notice and the Government needs to provide our sector with a clearer plan about how we can operate moving forward.”
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Looking to the future, Ms Ford says she is still planning to open a second salon. Her advice to other business owners is not to be afraid of taking "a leap".
She said: “Whenever you’re wanting to do something big you’re going to feel fear. Get through that fear and trust your instincts. If you’re passionate you will make it. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.”