Rochdale nail tech to appear on ITV to discuss business impact of COVID-19
By Helena Biggs | 09 April 2020 | Feature, Tech Talk
Amy Pierce, founder of The Beauty Loft in Rochdale, is to appear on ITV’s Tonight show to reveal the impact of coronavirus on her business.
Airing at 7.30pm on 9 April, the programme explores the emotional and financial implications that COVID-19 is having – and may continue to have – on small businesses like Amy’s, that have been forced to close amidst the outbreak.
Amy, an OPI educator with over 12 years in the beauty and nail sectors, was contacted by a friend and client who asked her if she’d like to take part in the ITV show. “Before my beauty career, I was an art director for Coronation Street, and have a number of friends who work in various TV departments,” Amy reveals.
“I was asked to do video diaries starting from the time when salon owners were waiting to know whether they would be forced to close.”
Since, there has been footage at the key stages; including when closure was instructed on 23 March.
Amy voices concerns including worries about staff members and paying bills. “As a service industry, we nail techs and beauty therapists rely on our clients to generate our turnover,” shares Amy. “Initially, I was really worried and quite scared wondering what I was going to do as I am still a relatively new business, having opened The Beauty Loft in July 2018.
“Not knowing the outcome of the pandemic has been scary, but I have listened to plenty of advice and am trying to spread some knowledge and positivity for our industry.
“The beauty sector contributes millions to the UK economy and sometimes get bad press. It contains incredibly creative and talented people that love what they do and have passion, so I hope that my appearance on ITV Tonight will show that we are all in this together and supporting one another.”
Amy’s filming set up
Amy’s industry journey has seen her juggle studies and single parenthood to achieve Level 2 & 3 Beauty Therapy, Level 2 Nail Technology, Level 3 Nail Services and Level 3 Makeup Artistry qualifications. She gained experience in salons and built up a client base before completing a PTLLS and Assessor’s Award in 2015/16 to teach VTCT nail qualifications for a private local company.
“I had to leave this job to help my sister after she was diagnosed life-threatening illness, Aplastic Anaemia,” Amy reveals. “Fortunately, I could be her donor for her life-saving stem cell transplant in June 2018.
“On the same day I donated, my dream salon came available to let and my sister told me to seize the opportunity, so I did!”
Amy’s boutique salon employs two therapists and features three nail desks, two pedi stations, two treatment rooms and a make-up station. “Nails are our main business, and we book clients six months in advance, so coronavirus has affected our work.
“My advice to fellow business owners and nail techs is to try to keep a positive mindset and use lockdown time to work on you, your goals, your ambition and to make a plan for reopening.
“Start this plan today and go for it; be ready for clients as they will be keen to book the minute you open. Create a mood board of ideas, do research, up-skill your knowledge and don’t become too consumed by coronavirus updates; once a day should be enough.
“I have had many challenges in my life and I see this as another one,” continues Amy. “We can turn it into a positive by growing from it and making our businesses better.
“We have been given time that we never have when we are working to sit and take stock and plan our future.”
Watch Amy on ITV Tonight at 7.30pm on Thursday 9 April.