A Paisley beauty salon owner has revealed the decision to close her shop was “heartbreaking” – but she’s happy that she gave the business her all.
Owner of Goddess in Causeyside Street, Gaynor McKechan, 49, decided to shut up shop after it became clear that it was not financially sustainable to keep the shop open due to overheads, and rising gas and electricity bills.
The shop opened in 2004 after Gaynor, who already owned the Nail Lounge just a few doors down, spotted the opportunity to relocate and grow her business.
Over the years, she made and built friendships with staff, community members and clients as the salon attracted more and more customers.
This is what ultimately made it so hard for Gaynor to give up the outlet.
However, she admitted that she had come to terms with the prospect of it closing for “many months” before finally making the decision.
Speaking to the Paisley Daily Express, the salon owner said: “It is extremely sad to be closing down, but I also feel like a different person now.
“I have been treading water for a while and it is what it is because I am sad, but I also feel a lot of pain has been taken away at the same time with all the stress being lifted.
“I have been blessed with wonderful clients who have supported me. I have watched many clients grow as I did their prom nails and then moved on to doing their children’s prom nails.
“Also having the opportunity to watch staff grow, become self-employed and start their own businesses has been a pleasure. It makes me immensely proud.”
In her time at Goddess, Gaynor has ensured the shop survived two recessions and a pandemic, however, the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis appeared to be too much.
With less staff working in the shop, overheads rising and a burst pipe in the premises, Gaynor has come to terms with the reality of the situation.
She also admitted that she was using her own personal savings to pay staff but said that it wasn’t “financially sustainable” to continue doing so.
Gaynor, who lives in Barrhead, has been suffering from a broken arm lately so she has not been able to get to work on people’s nails.
Despite the sadness of her business closing down, Gaynor is looking forward to her next adventure.
She said: “I am going to open a studio from my house and it will allow me to work from home. I also want to have more time to look after my 90-year-old dad, walk the dogs and get back into running.
“I am now motivated by time, rather than money. This isn’t a negative for me, it is a positive. Yes, it is sad that I am losing the shop in Paisley but, when you look at it, I get paid to do a job I regard as a hobby.
“It is wonderful. Goddess has given me confidence for the future. It has given me the piece of mind that I can continue.”
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