An entrepreneur from Pembrokeshire who set up her own haircare business after leaving school is urging young people to consider their options when getting their results this summer.
In 2019, Lucie Macleod found herself looking for a hair product to revitalise her damaged hair from years of bleaching and mistreating.
“After trialling an array of different products, I kept coming back to the same conclusion. The hair products on the market were either very expensive, did not have a lasting effect, did not meet my specific hair needs, or all of the above.”
Researching ideas
Determined not to give up, Lucie began researching how to create her own hair care products. After a lot of trial and error, Lucie had formulated a product that was perfect for her.
Recognising that she had a product she could market, Lucie set up her own business, Hair Syrup. She said: “In rural communities like Pembrokeshire, there aren’t as many creative opportunities for young people.
“For me, setting up my own business allowed me to pursue something I was genuinely interested in.”
Using social media
Lucie set up a TikTok account and started sharing hair tutorials using the product she’d made. Her tutorials went viral, with followers offering her as much as £30 for a 50ml bottle.
“I would definitely say social media is your best friend when you're trying to start something like that out, because you've literally got the whole world at the click of a button,” she said.
Today, Lucie has sold thousands of bottles of hair care product and amassed nearly 80,000 followers on her social media platforms.
“A lot of people think that when you’re starting a business, you need loads of money, you need a nice flashy office, and you have to be based in London or a big city. The reality is that you don’t need any of that. I started my business out of a tiny conservatory in my Mum and Dad’s house.
Making the most of her skills
“You don’t need a degree to start a business either. I gained so many skills through school that have become invaluable in running my business. Creative writing skills have helped with things like product design, product labels and copywriting on my website.”
Lucie believes that starting a business is a great option after leaving education. She said: “It’s nice to know that, if you do want to do something different, starting your own business and building something for yourself is always an option.
Advice to others
“Find something that you're really interested in. If you have any sort of idea that you think could take off, go for it and see where it takes you. Or, if you want to go down different route, maybe apprenticeships or going straight into the workplace, then you can definitely do that.
“You can get in touch with Working Wales for support and advice. If I could have my time again, I would jump at the chance.”
Explore
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