A Northern Ireland salon owner has set up a support group for fellow hairdressers to show that 'it's a community, not a competition'.
Sarah Gallagher, 29, who owns La Bella Vita Hair Extensions Specialists in Dundonald feels it's important to lend each other a helping hand and to share tips amidst the Cost of Living crisis.
She says as everyone in the industry is facing the same issues, they can all come together to get through it.
Sarah told Be : "I feel that coming out of Covid, having your salon closed for a year in total and still having a salon with 15 staff has been extremely difficult and to now face the cost of living rises is really putting major pressure on our industry, our staff and on our clients' wellbeing.
Read more: Mum raising awareness for debilitating condition she never knew she had
"Hopefully with the Hairdressers of NI page, we can all support each other through this time. Whether you are a one-member salon or a multiple-business owner, we are all facing the same issues so we can all come together and get through it. Unfortunately, a lot of hair salons were forced to close during the pandemic and I hope that this rise in the cost of living won’t push others the same way."
The business owner who has been a hairdresser for ten years says it is a stressful time currently with increased living costs.
Sarah said: "It is very stressful. With our salon costs, the electricity by itself has tripled in price basically and obviously, we have to run hairdryers, straighteners and things like that, all day.
"The increase in wages as well for staff. I want my staff to be able to be comfortable with daily living costs so I obviously have to increase wages for them, and in turn increase prices of services - and making sure we don't lose clientele through that has been very difficult. It's finding that balance.
"The group is there to be able to share all our problems together and if someone else has come up with a solution, then we can all communicate about that and support each other through it."
Sarah added: "Being able to get back out and hold events and meet other people now after Covid has been really good. My vision of Hairdressers of NI started after I hosted a hairdressing educational event in my salon in June.
"It brought 25 hairdressers together and it was great having the vibe of everyone there chatting and all of us kind of had that immediate common ground of loving hairdressing and the education around it too.
"Just being able to be together again and share any problems we have, learning new techniques and things like that.
"The aim is to unite the hair and beauty industry in Northern Ireland, to help anyone facing any challenges - making their lives easier.
"The hair and beauty industry in general kind of can seem a bit competitive but from when I created this group, everyone is in the same boat and we do not want that kind of stigma anymore. We want to help each other.
"I do specialise in hair loss and I do have hairdressers who refer their clients to me which is really nice to be able to have that trust from other hairdressers."
View the Hairdressers of NI Instagram page HERE. CLICK HERE to join the private Facebook group.
READ NEXT:
- Why you need to wear SPF all year round-even in Northern Ireland
- NI man encouraging people to check their bodies after noticing mole on scalp
- NI Spa therapist's beauty tips including the product you need to use daily
- The 'huge increase' in people getting fillers and Botox in NI
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
