By Monica Chard
Setting up your own business is always a challenge. But to do so and succeed during a pandemic, is really quite an achievement.
Thames Street shop neighbours Saskia Marr and Laura Salter could not have chosen a more challenging environment, but neither of them regret their decision and as life returns to normal, we met with them to hear about their journeys.
Laura opened The Nail Garden in February 2020. It could not have been worse timing. But as she sits in her salon, with colleague Mia, her tale is inspiring. Like many in her industry, she started as an employee, working her way in salons and spas but she always dreamed of owning her own business. The Nail Garden is next to the car park, so a great location. Having the few ‘intermissions’ between lockdowns, she could get herself going, but was frustrated at having to close constantly. Now she is busy as ever. She has already expanded, taking on Mia who does both brows and nails. Mia herself left the security of a job (and subsequent furlough) to join Laura. It is not an exaggeration to say that Covid changed the lives of these young ladies. They took that time to think about what they really wanted from life and decided to follow their dream of working independently.
Saskia Marr next door, runs the very popular Sassy Apron. In the run up to the pandemic she had spent several years abroad in the seasonal ski chalet business, honing her skills in catering and dealing with clients. Had Covid not hit, she may not have had to think about a more settled life for a while. As it is, she opened the café/deli and the rest is history!
Both Saskia and Laura were inspired and spurred on by their entrepreneurial mothers. Saskia’s mum Celia, runs Delightful Dining and Laura’s mum, Debbie, runs her own ever expanding recruitment business. What a gift to get their daughters to believe in themselves and back them to take the plunge. Both girls have business experience and expertise to draw upon. They also have each other, supporting shop neighbours and have found other businesses in Sunbury to be very helpful and encouraging too.
Laura has ambitions to grow the prom/wedding business. The personal service she and Mia provide has won them great reviews on Google and they are offering a range of products and services new to the market, such as gel bottle nail treatments which is a durable nail varnish encouraging strength and growth.
Saskia now has a staff or 8 who run a rota. As well as lunches, snacks and coffee, she has been offering a picnic service which as proved very popular.
Both girls talk about the experience of launch-ing their business during Covid as immensely challenging, but very rewarding. “I would encourage anyone to take the plunge” said Laura.
Spelthorne Council run a lot of support for new and existing businesses, including the launch of the business incubator, offering desks, wi-fi, office services and more im-portantly reassurance to those who are setting out on their own and don’t relish the isolation. So don’t hesitate. Just do it!
www.thesassyapron.co.uk F: The Sassy Apron
F: The Nail Garden I: @nailgardensunbury
www.spelthorneincubatorhub.com