Nicky Mowat on what drove her to become self-employed...
“I had come to the end of my tether with dancing but I knew I needed to keep that creative level going. I also wanted to be pushed and challenged and have fresh and exciting things happening all the time, but with the security of a regular income - so it was a good combination.
Being freelance is more beneficial because it gives you that freedom and much more creative input
Nicky Mowat, founder of Beauty Call
“Being freelance is more beneficial than working for ‘the man’, as it were, because it gives you that freedom and a much more creative input.”
On how she felt about setting up...
“Beauty Call Limited is a big company, rather than my own small business, so setting up was definitely a time when I needed moral support and the ‘yes you can do this’ element.
“I’ve never been scared about setting up the company because it seemed such a natural way to go with it. It was getting bigger and almost out of my control, and I wanted to feel the clients were really being looked after.
“You can’t do that if you’re one person. There’s only so many hours in a day, and you need help, back-up and support.”
On the advantages of being female in business...
“In this business particularly, it’s great because brides want women, a girl turning up to a bridal job is going to be trusted more. There’s a ‘confidante’ vibe that goes on and you become their best friend for a couple of hours.
“I think this is really beneficial for women. Its all about familiarity at the end of the day.”
Her advice for anyone considering franchise opportunities...
“First off, its hard work and what you put in is what you get out. If you’re looking to buy a franchise and you’re looking for an easy ride don’t do it, because that’s not what’s going to happen.
“It’s your business at the end of the day so you have to treat it as any small business and go for it. If you’re frustrated or working on a counter and thinking, ‘I want more work and to do something more exciting’ then this is great, because it gives you flexibility and financial stability.”
