Shenae Benton talks to Dylan J Stone about her business, launched in April, plus her goals and aspirations, as well as some of the key lessons she has learned along the way.
What is your business?
Lush Beauty Escape is an at home beauty salon, offering services including waxing/tinting treatments, eyebrow treatments, eye lash treatments and spray tanning, with the aspiration to work towards getting my diploma of beauty therapy and one day opening my own clinic.
Tell us about your background
I am born and raised in Broken Hill and come from a big family background. Growing up, I’ve always had a strong passion for anything beauty related. Being the eldest of four sisters, I often found myself helping them do their hair or makeup. I have two children, soon to be three, and they are my biggest accomplishments to date, and a massive motivation to push myself towards success with this business.
What do you offer the community that may be unique?
There are many amazing beauty salons in the Broken Hill area but most are generally booked out due to beauty services being in such high demand. Another beauty salon opening means more services will be available without any of our community missing out. I also offer early and after hour appointments for anyone who can’t get away from work or for those who are simply too busy during the day.
I am very understanding when it comes to parents bringing their little ones with them because I’m a mum myself. I feel this can benefit a lot of people in our community in Broken Hill because not everyone has someone to watch their little ones.
Tell us about the benefits and challenges of being in business.
A big benefit is seeing how happy my clients are with the outcome of their service, doing the services I love every single day while still getting to be home with my children in between appointments, looking back at how much I am improving each day, and meeting all new people.
One challenge I’ve faced is keeping up with the market, and how to stand out in a competitive and forever changing industry. I understand cost-of-living expenses are at an all-time high at the moment, so from a business perspective, deciphering what price is reasonable for my customers is something I don’t take lightly. Another challenge of my business is getting my name out there in order to bring in more clientele.
What advice would you give someone considering opening their own business?
The main advice I would give is just give it a go. Don’t sit there overthinking and doubting yourself. You will learn new things and improve each day. You will realise it’s one of the best things you have done. I wouldn’t change anything I have done or anything that I am trying to achieve for my future. I can’t wait to see what I accomplish over the next few years.
How can people contact you?
I can be contacted on Facebook and Instagram on my business page by the name Lush Beauty Escape, or via email at [email protected]
