Expat starts venture amid UK lockdown
At the beginning of the year, Conna Nagle was hopeful she would be able to get back to work and revive her businesses.
But a surge of Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland threw a spanner in the works. The UK plunged into its third lockdown at the beginning of the year, with restrictions in Northern Ireland recently extended through to March 5.
‘‘I never thought we’d go back into a complete lockdown again,’’ she said.
The beginning of this year is shaping up to be similar to – or potentially worse than – the year prior, but Nagle is remaining positive.
‘‘I think you have to be grateful for all that you have. I’m lucky that all my family are healthy, and we have a roof over our heads and that all my businesses are still OK.
‘‘We’re extremely lucky that none of our immediate family have caught Covid. With the numbers being one in 40 in Northern Ireland alone, that makes it very worrying.’’
Nagle, 38, is originally from Wellington and has been living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for more than six years. At the beginning of last year she opened her second cosmetic hairloss studio, Enhanced Hair Studio. Six weeks later, she had to close the doors of both businesses. The Newry and Belfast shopfronts stayed closed for more than three months.
‘‘I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect with the initial lockdown. There wasn’t much specific guidance available and even though we are quite specialised in a niche industry, we shut our doors to help reduce the spread,’’ she said.
The studio’s main service is creating bespoke hair-loss systems for women with monthly maintenance. To fill the gap and make up for the closure, Nagle created maintenance kits with instructions and posted them to clients.
‘‘This reassured a few of my clients but there were some that really struggled. I felt so helpless not being able to help my clients . . . I was always on standby to offer free assistance by email, phone or Skype.’’
She was better prepared when the second wave of restrictions started. The businesses operated as essential services, offering only vital maintenance.
During this third lockdown, the list of available services has been reduced – no more extensions, blow dries, colours – and some staff have been placed on furlough. Nagle admitted that despite implementing Covidsafe measures, some employees didn’t feel comfortable working, given such high case numbers in Northern Island.
Infections increased by 732 on Thursday, according to the Department of Health. A total of 98,351 positive cases have been confirmed.
‘‘We do take every precaution possible, wearing masks, visors, using disposable towels, aprons, gowns and sanitising everything after each client, but I feel like we are taking a risk with our own health by staying open,’’ Nagle said.
Sadly, not all businesses survived the pandemic.
‘‘The economy will take a long time to recover. It’s sad to see a lot of iconic local bars and restaurants in the hospitality sector close their doors for good,’’ Nagle said.
‘‘It’s been dire for the already struggling high street, but on the other hand it has pushed many businesses ahead in terms of innovation, e-commerce and working remotely from home.’’
Nagle’s business is one of many that diversified its offerings to financially survive the pandemic. She launched an e-commerce business called Enhanced Hair Creations, selling a three-in-one style tool, haircare products and brushes.
The new business venture has taken up most of her spare time and kept her busy during lockdown, but it hasn’t been without its challenges.
‘‘This in itself is a fulltime job and I wasn’t expecting all the hurdles I’ve had to overcome, as I wasn’t able to actively pitch to other businesses, go to trade shows or demonstrate our innovative styling tool to the public.’’
She has upskilled as well. Nagle bought a new camera and home studio kit, and taught herself how to photograph her products. ‘‘I’ve been very impressed with my skills,’’ she said.
On top of all this, she’s also created a training course and guide on female hair-loss solutions.
Despite all the business setbacks, Nagle considers herself lucky. have