Joanne Reid set up eChair to change how salons and freelance hairdressers work. The company gives those in the hair and beauty industry who work for themselves the flexibility to work when and where they choose, by connecting them with available chairs and spaces to rent in their area. Joanne has plans for the website to expand into an app and be available internationally.
Name: Joanne Reid
Age: 42
Position: Founder
WHAT’S THE BUSINESS CALLED?
eChair
WHERE IS IT BASED?
WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?
THERE is currently no platform available for people in the industry to find space to rent – they would need to try Gumtree or drive around looking for signs in salon windows.
People are choosing the self-employed route in this industry more and more and social media has allowed them to do that.
People can build a brand there instead of working for someone else.
It also allows salon owners to rent our space and offer additional services like waxing and makeup.
I previously worked in media for STV and the Daily Record and I publish trade magazines for the beauty industry – SalonNV and BarberNV – so I know a lot about this industry.
WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?
BARBERS and salons who engage with self employed people who need services.
People love it and say they can’t believe it didn’t exist before now. We’re just a website right now but we’re trying to get investment for an app. If you want to travel around the UK you can use eChair to do that and we’re hoping it will eventually go international.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?
NO-one does a similar thing.
We are trying to launch in Scotland and then go international – 40% of hairdressing business is in London so we want to be a national and global platform.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
IT’S a small company so everyone does so many different jobs in the team and managing that is hard work.
It’s not easy to do everything.
It’s also difficult to educate salons not to be fearful and let them know we’re trying to help.
They can look to cross utilise services. Some people are scared of social media and are proud of their heritage and brand.
The young ones are creating their own brand and the industry is embracing social media more – that’s what eChair is pushing for. Salons have a chance to earn more revenue, increase their services and be more flexible.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
HEARING nice comments we get from people – they get excited about it because we’re the first company to do it.
People can have the freedom to set their own rules and can fit their work into three or four days a week instead of six which would be common if they worked at a salon full time.
It allows people to have more control of their time.
IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?
IT’S fantastic. Scotland has such a talented community of creators – some of the best hairdressers have come out of Scotland. One of the challenges we face is raising investment. Edinburgh is a good tech hub so I’m going there for investment. If I did this four or five years ago I would have set up the business in London but Scotland is so good for small companies now. I think there could be more available for start-ups but what we currently have is really good.
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