You will have seen from our social media and previous blog posts that we have been chatting to a variety of our clients, within different industries. We have been asking them how they are coping through coronavirus. These interviews have then been shared as blog posts so other people in business can see that they are not alone.
You may also find new ideas when you read these blog posts, or even inspiration or motivation to help your own business move forward. In this interview we speak to Donna of Locks and Shades. Locks and Shades are a hairdressing salon in Yaxley with sunbed tanning too. Donna is the director, owner and hairdresser at the hair salon. Donna uses Creative Content Company for blog posts and pretty much anything else that needs content. This includes website content, leaflets, price lists and award entries.
Here is what Donna of Locks and Shades has to say about her business and how they are coping through coronavirus. We spoke to her towards the end of March.
How has CV-19 affected your business?
It has massively changed our business as we have had to close our salon. We had started to get cancellations and employees were self isolating, therefore the salon was quieter. We decided that the risk was too high to our employees as we couldn’t abide by social distancing, therefore 2 day before lockdown was announced we decided to close our salon
Have you changed your service offering to go online / digitally – if so, how?
We can’t change our service as such. However, we are coming up with creative ways we can still provide consultations for products and also deliver these products via an online shop
What have you struggled most with during this time?
I have struggled to make decisions for my team. Mentally it was a strain, working so hard to keep money coming in and the salon running, and then having to research and listen to advice about what my next step could be. I am the sole director and as much as I can speak to my managers and family and friends the ultimate decision was mine and that was a heavy load to bear.
Have there been any positive outcomes?
We have already started to find creative ways of communicating with the rest of the team. The creative juices are really flowing. I’m really thinking outside of the box on a few things. I’ve also spent more time outside and I’m really concentrating on my mindset and mindfulness and I think this is really helping me to broaden my horizons too. I have also been communicating with lots of other salon owners locally and nationally and building these relationships and gaining new ideas has been great!
How are you finding working from home?
Challenging!!! I have a toddler and a baby and my husband is working from home too. I love that we are all here in our cocoon, however I am trying to spend the time preparing things for my team and changing systems and procedure so we absolutely KICK ASS when we get back. All of this, whilst still occupying the children and keeping them quieter whilst my husband works.
Where, if you’re home, are your working from?
I love sitting in my conservatory. It’s so bright and it really lifts my mood
Is your business closed for CV-19?
Yes, but my mind isn’t
What is keeping you going every day?
My team is amazing we have had some great zoom chats already. I have an amazing group of friends, we always voice note and FaceTime, but we have been doing it a lot more during the past week. Being with my husband and kids has really made me see the positives. The lovely sunshine outside and the daily walks have also been real positive factors
What are you finding hardest during this time?
The thought of how long this might go on for, the craving for normal life and the uncertainty of the situation and future.
What is your top tip for other business owners?
Practice some self care and self love, reach out to each other. Check in on everyone, but also take the time to step out of corona world and give yourself a break. I have been loving meditation just recently, an opportunity to switch off from it all
Please say something positive about CV-19.
I think I will have built a better support network. If my business survives this, then it will survive anything. The getting back to nature with going for a walk and having lots of family time.
What does your new ‘day in the life of’ look like?
6am: Get up, my sleep has been really affected by covid 19 but hopefully I can push this forward an hour soon. Do some work, or have some me time
7-9am: Sort my boys Tate and Cole, breakfast time, getting washed and dressed and do some cleaning
9-1: The boys will nap at some point I will get some work done. Maybe do a zoom with my team or management team. Work on new projects
1-3.30: Lunchtime and a long family walk
3.30-5: Time with the kids, playing in the garden, baking, singing songs, watching a film, doing craft, whatever we can really
5-7: Dinner and bedtime routine with the boys
7-8: Catch up on any work I haven’t managed to do in the day. A bit of house party with my friend and prepare dinner
8: dinner and tv time
Between 9 and 10: I always go to bed, covid 19 or not, I always need lots of sleep
Do you have a positive quote to keep others going?
I have two – “we are all in this together” and “everything will be alright in the end, if it’s not alright then it’s not the end”
Have you read something in the interview with Donna of Locks and Shades that has inspired or motivated you? If you’re looking for a new hairdresser in Peterborough for when lock down is over, why not try Locks and Shades – there will be definitely be a queue!
