I’m doing a new thing and help others do it

– Hairstylist Anne Marie Mcelroy

This time last year, Anne Marie Mcelroy, a bridal hairstylist for 20 years and owner of the 13-strong AMM Hair and Make-up Team, was preparing for another packed year of beautifying brides across Scotland with more than 200 weddings on her books.

When the pandemic hit, the postponements flooded her inbox – 196 of them.

“It was like doing a Rubik’s cube, trying to organise and rearrange people’s plans, and it’s still ongoing,” says Anne Marie.

The stress of the pandemic took its toll on Anne Marie, who suffered from anxiety last summer, which worsened when she caught Covid.

“I thought, if this is how bad I feel when I’m normally someone who is good at managing my mental health, how much worse might it be for other people? That’s when I started giving serious consideration to mentoring.”

In October, Anne Marie enrolled in the Innovation &

Growth, Post-crisis course run online by Babson College via Saltire Programmes, where she was encouraged by her own mentor to pursue this idea. Shortly afterwards she launched Regeneration For Leaders and forged a new role as a life coach and mentor for businesswomen, providing a combination of business and wellbeing support.

“Some of my clients are feeling stuck and it’s been so rewarding to create a positive space where I can build their confidence,” she says. “I’ve been encouraging them to think of new approaches they can take to grow their business. One client for example is a baker who is going to open a shop soon and I’ve been helping her widen her brand with Youtube and Pinterest.”

It’s not the end of Anne Marie’s time in the wedding industry – her beauty business will be busier than ever when life returns to normal – but she says her coaching career is here to stay.

“I love helping people and I’m looking forward to building a community of like-minded people.”