Hello Readers,
It all started with a new year’s resolution in 2015, and since then I have done a number of interviews with small business in the West of Ireland. My last interview this year was with Chrysalis Holistic health and today I am super excited to interview Sharon! I met Sharon many years ago when I sold at the market in Claregalway, and even then I sensed she was a woman on a mission! Interested to read the interviews from 2016? Check out my first post of 2017 🙂.
So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed?
I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs. I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!
Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.
I am SharonD Award Winning Hair and Make Up Artist Plus-size Model and Your Miss Curves Ireland. The other side of me is Sharon Dooley, daughter of a beautiful Trinidadian women born in Hackney London (when it wasn’t quite so trendy!) My father was from the east end of London, he passed away from his 9th heart attack aged 57. I am wife of the most amazing husband a girl could have. And mother of 7 children aged 5 yrs to 22 yrs who are the best things I have ever created.
Can you provide me with a description of your business?
I am an award winning hair and makeup artist. My VIP’s are my brides, being part of someone’s special day is a true honour. Of course making them look their very best on such an important day is vital but also being able to complement their mood, keep things running smooth are skills which I think is why clients stay in touch long after the big day! I am a plus-size model and took great pleasure in walking (back in London in fact in Hackney where I was born last summer )for The Curvy Convention. This year I am also Miss Curves Ireland and am busy promoting women, including bringing Irelands Got Curves, a curvy convention bringing everything plus-size (12+) under one roof on Sunday 9th April to Alsaa Dublin.
I also have a weekly slot on Athlone Community Radio called glamorous and write for a online fashion magazine.
How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses? How did you get started in this business?
I have always been in business of some kind even playing as a child I would wrap long grass I had picked in newspaper and pretend to sell it at a market stall in my front garden! I started working in a hairdressers in the 80’s aged just 12 back then, no health and safety counted one minute. I was sweeping the floor next, pulling highlights through a cap, so I got a real rough trade really. In between this I also spent time teaching children with autism but returned to hair and makeup around 2009. I went back to college to complete my advanced diploma and in the future , I want to open SharonD’s College of Hair and Makeup Artistry. This is the reason I went back to modelling as I feel that along with the bits I do for TV, Newspapers, Magazines and photo shoots will lead to people wanting to study with me.
Do you know who your competitors are?
I don’t see people as competitors as such. If I am booked I will always pass work onto others I believe in support all business
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you?
Website: www.sharond.com www.theplussizemodel.com www.irelandsgotcurves.com
Facebook: /sharondsalon /theplussizemodel /sharond /sharondmakeup
Instagram- sharondhairandmakeupartist irelandscurves
What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?
I am a people’s person … I also love seeing people’s reaction to my work.
Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where
I am in a rural women’s network group
What are the biggest challenges for running this business?
I have to do everything myself as don’t yet have the budget to pay people so all social media work and book keeping etc are down to me.
What keeps you going, when the chips are down?
It’s just in me to keep going!
Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?
This year with Miss Curves Ireland I am doing a lot of charity work. I ran a fundraiser for Aleppo last Christmas, helped with Special Olympics Ireland, Dean’s fund. Last year I completed my first triathlon sized 18 for the Irish heart foundation. I want to do more work for HOPE this year also. I also did MOVEMBER.
Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
Make sure what you know in your head gets out to people clearly.
What did you learn from this interview?
I have been interviewed many times, but it’s still great to have an opportunity to feature my story, I am excited about the future!
Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.
Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!
Thanks for reading & sharing!
Katleen
