Hairdresser beats recession, break-ins

Avia Collinder, Business Writer

Hairdresser Roxanna Bailey-Black has had to weather a general business downturn and rising expenses as she has sought to follow her entrepreneurial dreams and commercial instincts, expanding her rural hairdressing parlour into a two-shop operation catering to men and women, with cosmetics stores, bar and snack counter. But beating the recession, it seemed, was easier than rising from the setbacks caused by persistent thieves, with success spurred only by a resilient spirit, consistent saving, loyal staff, and a supportive family that includes two sons in a prominent local high school and a daughter studying overseas.

Bailey-Black knows and loves hairdressing. Her commitment to constantly improving that know-ledge, as well as undertaking formal training in business, has also helped the vice-president of the National Aestheticians and Hairdressers Council expand her St Elizabeth-based business despite the odds.

Born in Balaclava in the parish, the 46-year-old businesswoman attributes her survival in commerce in part to her willingness to work hard, having a penchant for saving, and a supportive husband who understands her need to succeed, even when it means working until the wee hours of the morning.

Bailey-Black opened the doors of Ultimate Beauty Salon in Siloah, St Elizabeth, in 1989 after several years of working for other persons as a hairdresser.

"From I started the business, I have been able to employ people," she said proudly.

Expansion

Business was good from the outset. Bailey-Black recalled that she was permitted by the owner of the premises she rented for the salon to expand into adjacent space where she opened a bar and a cosmetics counter within a year and a half. Later, the bar itself branched off into selling snacks.

But it took only one year for the menace of repeated break-ins to begin.

"Within the first year, they started breaking into the shop, sometimes twice per year," she recalled.

"They were obviously looking for money. Sometimes I would buy stock and they go in and take it out the very night. It was frustrating, but being the person I am, I never give up."

Her avid saving habit paid off, and Bailey-Black was able to restock her shops and keep the business going.

"I always put something aside (and) think if anything should happen how I should be able to start again. There is the possibility of fire and bad health."

At the same time that the business was being expanded, the businesswoman partially completed the construction of her home with a National Housing Trust loan.

In 2006, she was robbed of her handbag and valuables during a hold-up.

Thieves struck again two years later, only this time, twice in one month, the second time nearly cleaning out the place and making off with stock and equipment.

"The day when they broke in I was distraught (and) it was the first I have ever cried so much," said Bailey-Black.

But the next day, she bought some supplies and was back on the job, barely able to do her work because nearly all the tools of her trade had been taken.

Security concerns

She recalled being consoled by her staff who stuck with her throughout the ordeals. She began replacing lost equipment, one at a time.

With an expansion of the business to Santa Cruz, the parish capital, last year, the security concerns were magnified.

"To be safe, I always tried not to be at the business place by myself, (so) we got friends to come and stay when we were working until one and two in the morning," she said, recalling that at those wee hours of the morning, she often had to rely on a ride in a truck or on a motorcycle to get home to Siloah.

"My husband wanted me to come home earlier but I wanted to work, as I had clients."

Bailey-Black admitted to having considered giving up her entrepreneurial dream, especially during a trip abroad. She was dissuaded from packing it in, she said, when she returned and saw how well her workers had kept the business going.

Instead of quitting, Bailey-Black did some refurbishing of the business places and began thinking of expansion again.

"I did a course in entrepreneurship and that motivated me," she said.

Good staff relations

That is when Ultimate Beauty Salon and Spa in Santa Cruz was opened in January 2009 offering skin, hair and nail care to men and women.

Bailey-Black has done a hair show in the town and has been contracted to do the make-up for the upcoming St Elizabeth festival queen show.

While running the business, she has found time to go back to school for a diploma course in advanced cosmetology.

She offered some advice on good staff relations, which she said, has been critical to the survival of her businesses.

"I communicate well, respect my workers and treat them well. When you work with women, you have to understand their needs, too. Get to know their home situation and encourage them through difficulties."

She advises others involved in small businesses to take their work seriously. "Some go in whenever they want and they do not take the business seriously."

Communication with my clients, she added, is also key.

"We call them every week and set up appointments. We call them on their birthdays too."

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com