DE6 RURAL CREATIVES:
Holly Leahy on Running a Creative Business in a Rural Area.
Kristian sits down for a chat with Holly Leahy, talking about her experience with running her growing make-up business from the comfort of her home own in a small rural town.
To check out the latest from Holly check out @hollyleahyx for the latest beauty looks and her latest style inspo.
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown... Big up Stormzy!"
Can you introduce yourself?
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Hi Huns, I’m Holly Leahy. I’m a young mum who works in the creative industry, basically, I make you a better version of yourself... checkout @Face_hl
Where did you grow up?
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Hopton Massive, with the fam. nothing over exciting just surrounded by builders really.
Why do you think that being a Rural Creative is so important?
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Just because you don’t live in the city doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself.
Creatives come from everywhere do you know what I mean? They don’t just live in London and that’s the only place the talent is... people forget you can’t choose what you’re born into or where you’re from, like why should that decide what you can and can’t do.
How do you find it, running your own creativity-based business within a rural area?
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Difficult, haha...
I personally rely on word of mouth and I’ve found that when you get the clients they are more often than not loyal and keep coming back.
Instagram is a major part, as it is for everyone but the key thing is you just have to know, and you have to get your face out there.
I’ve had to learn to listen and it is the most valuable thing I’ve done, people don’t like everything and that’s ok.
How hard have you found setting yourself up with what you want to do?
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When I lived in London there were jobs on your doorstep like if I wanted a styling job that’s fine I’ll go find one, whereas here in the sticks there is still that creativity but jobs aren’t don’t just come up to you, you have to go and find them. The gap in the market for me was when I realised it was a massive thing to get your eyebrows and lashes done... combining this with making people feel the best version of themselves. So I decided to take a risk, not sure if it would pay off or not and luckily I’ve built up a brand for my clients and myself.
What's the best thing about working in a rural area?
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The people, there is always someone to speak to about something, whether it is advice or just to have a pointless chat.
And what's the worst thing?
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Not being able to get away from the people hahaha, no seriously it is probs the resources like having to travel for products and training is all city-based.
What do you find the most challenging on a day to day basis?
People have this weird perception that when you become a mum you can no longer be yourself. But I like to challenge that stereotype by expressing myself however I want whether it be clothes, make-up etc. rather than just bringing up a child I’m still being me I’m only 26 haha.
What advice would you give to young Rural
Creatives who are looking at starting their own business?
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Right here we go,
I’ve taken my love from a hobby and built it up into a career, it’s something I loved doing and invested time into doing it as a hobby which shows in my job. I have to sit with clients up to 4 hours at a time, and after 4 hours they would deffo know if you are or aren’t passionate with whatever you’re doing, If you’re not happy with what you do could you be arsed getting up and doing work? There’s just no point in doing it if you aren’t happy. Like it's true what’s the point in doing something that you hate when you can do something you love? “Heavy is the head that wears the crown” - Big up Stormzy!
You Definitely need thick skin in this industry, knockback after knockback, but you just have to stand by it, take people’s criticisms and justify yourself. People talk, it’s human nature but you just have to carry on... like don’t think that because someone has said this isn’t good, means it's not good like I’m 26 I’m not just gonna roll over and take it.