The beauty and salon industry has most definitely been one of the industries that took many ‘shots’ during this time of lockdown. This industry was under strict lockdown for three months. That was three months of not being allowed to work and generate an income. I’m sure all of us can think of a friend or two that was in this position. Lauren Holland and Lyndall Terblanche are hairdressers at HeadSpace Hair Artistry in Howick. I popped into their Salon to get a feel of how they are allowed to operate with the regulations in place, and also to ask Lyndall a few questions. Lyndall is an example of many small business owners, but also parents out there who had to swim in this ever so pouring and uncertain covid rain. Lyndall grew up and lived her whole life in Howick. She absolutely loves this town and the community here. She is a single mom to her daughter, who is also in Grade one this year. The one side of 2020 has been managing all the uncertainties of this year around her business and generating an income. The other side has been being a parent and worried about her child not allowed to attend school, in such a crucial year and foundation phase of schooling. Even though the school has been able to send school work out during the strict lockdown time, it has been challenging to her and I would like to say to most parents out there. It was great to spend some time with Lyndall and understand her, and many others out there’s situation. Please share how you became a hairdresser and some history of your salon? Lyndall did not have the opportunity to go to varsity. She decided to get into trade. She went to Pietermaritzburg College to study hairdressing for two years. She did not go into hairdressing immediately. After being a rep for a plastic company, she very quickly realised that she’s not able to market or sell products. Craig Speirs made contact with her to employ her at their salon, opening in Howick. This was probably where Lyndall fell in love with hairdressing. The team she was working with really allowed her to grow, and she could live out her creativity. Two years passed and Lyndall went to work on a cruise ship for one year to travel the world. Returning, she worked for a few salons, but realised that she would love to have her own salon. That lead to her eventually opening a home salon. Her salon thrived and she was able to run it exactly the way she wanted to. After these eight years of having her own salon, she was looking for growth and to expand. Lyndall connected with Lauren and thus HeadSpace became a business they could run and grow together. They love their salon where they can be a positive influence and work great as a team. The best is that Lyndall is able to schedule her days to be able to spend quality time with her daughter. What has been your biggest challenge as a small business owner, and also as a mom in 2020? 'Having a small business is challenging in that, the pressure comes down to you, the owner.' Not having an income for three months has by far been the biggest challenge for Lyndall. The unknown of not knowing when they would be able to return to work and under what circumstances, was really stressful. ‘What grounded me in this time was the knowing that I wasn’t the only one going through this. Everyone around us and in the world was going through the same thing.’ ‘As a mom it was trying to deal with my own stress and anxiety, with being strong for my daughter as her mom, and be there for her. It was challenging to create a secure environment, for her to know that everything is going to be okay, without me myself not even knowing if everything was going to be okay. It was especially difficult when it came to schooling, to understand why and how certain decisions were being made. The second time school was closed my daughter was really upset and that brought me to a point of feeling broken for her sake. She tried to be strong and that just broke me. I am really concerned as this has not been a good start to her foundation phase of schooling.’ What has been your biggest fear in this time? ‘The future. Not knowing what and how it will look like. As humans, we always have a goal to work towards, or a little bit of insight of where we are going, and this has just left us with nothing. Not being able to plan ahead has been really overwhelming for me. There has actually been many fears.’ What has been your most positive experience coming from 2020? ‘The realisation of how much love and support I have. Family, friends and even people who I don’t even know who has just been acting out kindness towards me in various ways. These are people who have also been going through trying times. This has also brought me to a place to do the same towards others, as we have all been in this together. The slower pace of life has also been a great time to reflect on what is important. Rather supporting smaller businesses where I can and look out for them.’ Any advice to small business owners? ‘Keep doing what you are doing. Keep the passion going. Make it your own, this is our time now. Times are tough, but it’s the tough times that give us clarity to push through, and move in a direction. Don’t give up.’ It was really special to connect with Lyndall, to understand her life and circumstances a bit better. This industry, as many others surely needs the support of their community. Thank you Lyndall and Lauren for giving me the opportunity to come in and take a few snaps of you guys in your beautiful salon. I speak God's blessing over your business. May it even flourish more than what it did before lockdown happened.
Lyndall, you are such a strong and courageous woman. Being a small business owner and a single parent is challenging in itself, not even to mention adding the year 2020 to it. Well done for swimming well. Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable and allowing me to do this interview with you. May His perfect love cover you and your family and you experience His peace in all you do. If you are looking for a hairdresser or salon, do yourself a favor and contact these beautiful ladies.
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Try a hot oil mask using coconut and almond oil, as coconut oil has high penetration and deep conditioning power while almond oil adds extra shine to the weak dry hair. Massage the oil into your hair and put on a shower cap. Sit under a hooded hair dryer if you have one, or run a warm blow dryer over the cap for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the cap and wash your hair.
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I'm a passionate photographer based in the KZN Midlands - enjoying life to the full and spending time with my awesome family and friends... photo credit: www.peartree.co.za
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