From housing officer to SPMU artist
Our student Susan went from a career in the legal world to a salon owner and semi permanent brow artist within a year… and she’s never looked back.
So, what is your background, Susan?
“Well, I started off with more of a legal background; I done a law degree at university, and I was a paralegal for eight years and then went into house law and I was a house officer for 12 years.”
And what made you go for a career change?
“So, in the lockdown, I felt as though I was struggling with the home schooling and being in the house with a toddler, as well as logging in every day from home, having to be accountable to my manager all the time. And I just feel as though, my little girl was only 3 and half, so she was only two and a half at the time, she needed my attention. I just thought, I don’t want to be in a job where I’m answerable to a manager, I’m not a hundred percent enjoying it. And I thought it was about time to branch out and do something myself.”
And what made you decide to train with the academy?
“Well, I knew everybody over there from just going over and getting my nails done and taking my little girl. She loves everybody there, so we went over there probably more than I was in my own house over the lockdown. And I had spoke to Jenny and Kate, and then I decided, you know what, I’m just going to go for it and try.
And if it doesn’t work, then what have I got to lose. I can always do something else. But I’ve just loved every minute of it. And I’ve done more courses over there, as well since I’ve done the Semi Permanent training.”
What courses have you done altogether?
“So I’ve done the Semi Permanent Eyebrow training. That’s a CIBTAC course so I qualified for that. I’ve done a Spray Tanning course. I’ve done Brow Lamination, a Lash Lift, Waxing and Henna Brows.”
And what have you done since you’ve finished your courses at the academy?
“Since then, I’ve really been promoting my business and constantly on social media, scheduling posts every day, marketing. I’m based within Mackinnon Mills, over at Coatbridge. We’ve got a wee unit here, a few of us from separate businesses. I’m constantly promoting my business all day every day.”
So tell us a bit about your business.
“So my business is called, Just Browsing. I got the name because I thought, if you’re just browsing through the internet for someone to do eyebrows, basically look no further… here I am! Obviously I started mostly with Semi Permanent Brows and then I thought I wanted to add a few more things because people don’t always want to just come straight in and get semi permanent brows.
It’s sometimes good to start off with a henna brow. They can see what the shape looks like, and then a lot of the time they’ll come back in and maybe get semi permanent brows next. Someone might just want to drop in for a wax and tint, somebody might want a lash lift or brow lamination, which is really popular just now. They’re really popular so I do get a lot of people in for them.”
What has been your biggest challenges since you started your business?
“Biggest challenges have been letting people know what I do, and trying to get promotion and just really get my name out there, I think. Instagram and Facebook are really good but it just depends on what clients you’re trying to get.
I’ve got a lot of elderly clients who’ve maybe overplucked their eyebrows and they’re in their sixties and seventies now wanting a fuller brow, but they’re a bit scared to go for semi permanent brows at first. They sometimes think it would need to be big and bold because the younger generation like big full brows, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. I can get them as natural looking as you like. Simple brush strokes, just a simple, natural brow. I’ve had quite a lot of elderly clients who have been 100% satisfied with their service so it was trying to reach more of that clientele as well. Mackinnon Mills has quite an elderly base here, so I see a lot of elderly people walking about in the shops and I just go and approach them. I’ve printed off thousands upon thousands of leaflets, business cards, running special offers every month, just trying to get people in.”
How did you find your training at the academy?
“My training was fantastic. Really thorough and they’re just across the road from where I live. And at the drop of a hat, I can email or message anybody. I’ve got all of their phone numbers – they probably hear from me all the time. If it’s a general question I want to ask, I know it’s absolutely no problem trying to contact someone.
I don’t feel as though I did have to run back because I felt as though I was getting the full training, I was confident from the start. I think when you think about semi permanent brows, you’re using a tattoo needle, you know everything’s got to be sterile, especially with COVID, sterilised, you have to think about health and safety… it frightens some people. But I just got stuck right in.
And the more I do it, it’s my favourite thing to do. I would rather tattoo someone’s eyebrow than give someone an eyebrow wax, any day!”
What advice would you give to anybody who’s looking to change their career?
“Do it. Just do it. I went from being in a job that I thought I loved for such a long time. But then when I started doing this, I realised I’m able to suit the hours to myself, I’m able to spend family time with my daughter and my son, and my husband.
I’m able to just plan everything better. I love coming into my work, I don’t have to answer to a boss, there’s no deadlines for anything. I love Amazon orders when I’m ordering new products. And so, I just think, just do it. There’s been a few people I’ve spoken to that have thought about doing it.
And they’ve actually said that I’ve inspired them to really think about it because you’ve got to go in and do a job that you love, and I just think that’s the most important thing.
It’s just helped me with my family and being able to balance everything.”
Are you ready to take the leap of faith into a career within the beauty industry? Get in touch.
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