It all begins with a dream.

That’s the headline of the ‘Abigail’ section of Abigail Hannah Makeup’s website, and the dream is currently very much a reality for the makeup artist and beauty therapist. With a diary that is almost constantly full and plans to secure her own premises and recruit specialist staff, Abigail Hannah Makeup is certainly a business on the up.

Having taken the huge step of becoming an entrepreneur in February 2020, the global pandemic threw a major spanner in the works. But the mother-of-two was not prepared to let her dream slip away, instead making the most of her time to fine-tune skills needed in running and growing your own business before reopening when restrictions eased.

 

Abigial sitting in front of body length mirror on her IPhone

 

This is where Superfast Business Wales and adviser Leon Ingham come in, with Abigail’s eyes opened to the potential within her business if the right strategy was implemented.

“Leon basically said ‘here’s a very long list of things to improve what you’re already doing’,” said Abigail. “They were key ideas I wouldn’t have come up with on my own.”

With confidence gained from an action plan devised alongside Leon and Superfast Business Wales, Abigail transformed her online presence.

She explained: “I had a basic, free website, which I only had because I knew I needed something. Now I have a website that looks more professional, but more importantly is found by people in search engines. Leon introduced me to search engine optimisation (SEO) and my site is now a key source of enquiries and bookings.

“In addition, I have installed a booking system, which allows people to book online instead of me having to manage this manually with the back and forth of sorting dates and times.

“I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

“It has taken away a whole load of stress and saved me a huge amount of time, which I can spend with my children and friends; the benefits extend beyond my company to my family as well.”

Abigail was also introduced to Google My Business, which boosts her brand in the search results, as well as courses run by Superfast Business Wales, including the advanced social media workshop.

Abigail, who had more than 30 wedding bookings in 2021, said: “I noticed increased enquiries and new customers around a month after implementing the changes suggested by Superfast Business Wales.

 

Abigail is standing in front of a salon prep station surrounded by bottles of hair colour and general stock on her laptop

 

“Leon made me feel as though no question was a silly one, and to have someone to speak to who understood the vision I had and wanted to help me achieve that goal was invaluable.

“I don’t think I’d be where I am now without the support and guidance from Leon and Superfast Business Wales. Every little thing down to pointing out I could apply for a business grant was covered.

“In my mind I was thinking quite small and that it would take a huge amount of time to build the business up, but Superfast Business Wales made me realise the potential.”

On the advanced social media workshop, Abigail, who uses Facebook and Instagram, added: “It was a great course for looking into the different platforms and opening my eyes to the best strategies because what I thought was right, wasn’t necessarily the case.

“It was fantastic for helping me explore what other successful people were doing, implement the best bits and really develop my social media processes.”

The support provided by Superfast Business Wales extended beyond marketing and brand promotion to day-to-day operational support.

Abigail added: “During the two-hour phone call, Leon also spoke about making life easier for me in terms of using as many online tools as possible.

“As well as the online booking system, I now use Xero for bookkeeping and accounting, and I have implemented an email marketing system linked with my website, which now regularly updates my clients about new treatments.”

 

Abigail is facing a mirror looking at her laptop on her lap

 

Not only have the public started to notice Abigail’s business, but her talents have earned her recognition within the industry. Nominated for Freelance Make Up Specialist of the Year at the Welsh Hair & Beauty Awards in 2021, Abigail Hannah Makeup is also in the running for the Best Beauty Business at the Best of Welsh Business Awards 2022.

A jam-packed diary and award nominations are fantastic, but with Superfast Business Wales’ support Abigail has set some short and long-term goals.

She added: “I’ve got a five-year plan, which includes relocating to my own premises, and I don’t want to have to move, so I want somewhere I own rather than renting a space. I also want to have a specialist in each of the services on offer, so that we have everything under one roof, which means recruitment is underway.”

“Long-term, the goal is to retire when I’m 45 so everything in the plan has that in mind.

“I never expected to be here. I still remember the moment during my fashion degree at the University of South Wales when I realised, I enjoyed the makeup side of the photoshoots more than anything.

“When I discovered what I was passionate about I dared to dream.”

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