Imagine turning a hobby into a thriving empire. That's exactly what Becci Hollis, a Shrewsbury native, did, transforming a simple desire to save money on manicures into a six-figure business! At just 17, she started doing her own nails at home, never imagining this would be the seed of something so significant.
Now, at 29, Becci is the driving force behind Blossom Academy in Shrewsbury. This isn't just a nail salon; it's a training ground where she imparts her skills and knowledge to aspiring nail technicians. She also leads a team of ten talented women who offer a full range of beauty treatments within the academy.
But here's where it gets interesting... Becci's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. She launched 'Muse,' a brand dedicated to providing high-quality nail equipment and accessories. And this is the part most people miss: Muse isn't just a local success; it's gone global! Recently, Muse opened a fulfillment center in America and has been shipping products worldwide, reaching customers as far away as Australia.
"We've gone from sending maybe 50 orders a month this time last year, to over a thousand a month now," Becci explains. "It has boomed, and we're kind of a household name in the industry, which is just a dream come true." This kind of rapid growth begs the question: What's the secret sauce to building such a loyal customer base?
The journey wasn't always smooth sailing. Becci readily admits the path to success was "hard-fought." The coronavirus pandemic in 2020, a challenging time for many, proved to be a turning point for her business.
"It gave me that time to work on my business," she recalls. "I couldn't do nails, so I started my teaching qualification, did lesson plans and manuals, and as soon as we were allowed to work again, I started offering courses." This highlights a crucial lesson: sometimes, the biggest obstacles can pave the way for unexpected opportunities.
Initially, these courses were modest, taught one-on-one from her bedroom in her mum's house. As demand grew, she rented a local village hall to accommodate larger groups. After a year gaining experience in Australian salons, Becci decided to return to her roots and establish Blossom Academy in her hometown.
Blossom Academy now offers two to three courses a week, covering a comprehensive range of skills, including nail extensions, intricate nail art, gel polish application, and specialized training on using equipment like e-files from her own Muse brand. The academy's success has become so demanding, Becci no longer has time to personally offer nail services.
"I've actually had to stop doing nails because I'm just too busy with the teaching and the product brand," she says, adding that it truly is a "dream come true." Both Blossom Academy and Muse are independently six-figure businesses.
Controversy Alert: Becci shared an experience that many female entrepreneurs can relate to:
"When I was a full-time nail technician, I would go to things like business networking and be in rooms with a lot of male business owners, and if you say 'I do nails', they literally just dismiss you," she explained. "I think now, people take me more seriously because they can see what it's grown into and I have the physical place, but at the end of the day, all of these women that are running beauty businesses are so inspirational."
Becci passionately emphasized the power and inspiration behind women in the beauty industry. "They're creating their own income, they're still able to do the school run, they're providing for their families, that is just amazing."
Becci's ambitions extend far beyond Shrewsbury.
"With Muse, it's just expanding into these new markets that we've not tapped into yet… we want to explore more of Europe, Australia, America."
"To be well known worldwide would just be amazing, but it's been such a good start."
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: "Business is not linear."
"It's actually how you show up in the dips that is most important. It's really easy to show up when things are going well, but you have to deal with the downs as well."
"Even if it feels like you are talking to an empty room, you have to keep on shouting about what you're doing."
Becci's story is a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt can turn even the simplest idea into a remarkable success. What do you think of Becci's journey? Do you believe the pandemic created new opportunities for entrepreneurs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
