Single moms in the beauty industry: 4 Canadian women share their emotional stories
Last month, social media channels lit up on April 12th in the name of Equal Pay Day, and in the process shed light on the fact that today, women still earn only 79 cents for each dollar paid to men. What this crucial dollar for dollar discussion couldn’t address is the quality of work available to all women, in particular working mothers. A recent WWD study found that jobs in the financial field have the highest pay while retail and apparel roles have the lowest. However, salary isn’t the only way to judge a career, especially as your life becomes increasingly complicated.
This got us thinking about a less-discussed group of women once Mother’s Day rolls around: single working mothers. The beauty industry has traditionally been a place where women can juggle their hours around kids and on occasion establish their own businesses. Over the years we’ve encountered several women who have carved out successful beauty-related careers that allow for some personal flexibility but more significantly, personal autonomy when it comes to raising their families solo. With Mother’s Day on our minds, we spoke with four single moms to talk unique challenges and successes.
Lights, Camera, Devon ???#photoshoot #prlife #theboss
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Katherine Hamilton, founder of Devon Consulting, a boutique public relations agency.
26 years experience in the beauty industry.
Were you always a single mother?
I have been divorced for three years. My two boys [ages 15 and 12] live with me full-time.
When did you start your business?
10 years ago. It was more of a consulting business to make money and spend more time with my sons. I worked in the beauty industry and the work-life balance wasn’t great. I felt I wasn’t doing any of my jobs in life right. But my business took off after I separated from my husband. Funny because I was busier than ever raising my boys pretty much on my own.
What was it like starting a business without the support of a partner?
I think starting your own business and the drive comes from necessity. I knew I couldn’t go on with the way my life was going. I was desperate for more time with my boys and I wasn’t great at the corporate role. I felt trapped. Funnily enough, I felt more free without a six figure salary than I did with one. I realized anything was possible.
What is the greatest thing you’ve learned about yourself since becoming a single parent?
Divorce has been a big accomplishment in my life and getting to the other side is a great achievement, one that I believe has benefited my children. I am stronger and more confident. I found myself. I’m not afraid to do anything, really.
Is there something about the beauty industry that works with your parenting situation?
The beauty industry is mostly female. I think working with mostly women is incredible. I have seen a change since I started out on my own with women and how we treat each other. We encourage each other. My clients have always been incredibly supportive. I had the fortunate experience of a great mentor who was a man. He inspired me in many ways. And, my father is a huge inspiration and support.
Have you ever said: ‘Why didn’t I get an office job with the government?’
NEVER EVER!
Do you think being a single mom shapes your management style?
Definitely. I give as much flexibility as I can to my staff and colleagues. I expect a lot but I always want to be someone who understands people’s personal situation. Family comes first.
Leeanne Colley, owner of Tips Nail Bar in Toronto.
20+ years in the beauty industry.
How many kids do you have?
One son. He’s 19 and just finished his first year of university.
Were you always on your own or do you have an ex-partner?
I’ve been a single mom since my son’s birth for the most part without any financial support.
Did your business come before, after or during your relationship?
My son was about eight years old when I opened Tips Nail Bar. When he was a baby, I worked from home doing nails and built a clientele. I started to really dislike working from home. I was young, and I needed to be out. I found a hair salon in Yorkville that didn’t have a nail tech and rented space there for a while, eventually I felt I needed to move on so I began looking on the Danforth. I opened Tips in May 2006.
What was it like starting a business without the support of a partner?
If you don’t have a partner and you’re on your own you just do it! I have a really supportive mother. She helped me so much with my son and really helped where she could financially. Not sure what I would have done without her. My partner now, deserves “The Patience Award,” we have been together for about eight years. He is so emotionally supportive but I am always in business mode. It’s hard to shut my business brain off.
What is the greatest thing you’ve learned about yourself since becoming a single parent? Anything can be made with passion. Not money but passion. I could barely afford to keep a roof over my head when my son was small, I had no savings but I had passion and clients that were so loyal. They knew my struggle. They would have parties in their homes and invite all of their friends, because they wanted to support me. I am grateful for them and to this day, remind them of all they did for me.
Is there something about the beauty industry that works with your parenting situation? I loved what I was doing and found a way to make it work. Here is the truth about the beauty industry. The hours can be long and we work on weekends (usually every Saturday) but we are usually off on Mondays and we have shorter days on Tuesday and Wednesday BUT you really can tailor your work schedule if necessary.
Have you ever said: Why didn’t I get an office job with the government? Not once. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Do you think being a single mom shapes your management style? I think so. I had to struggle. I had to work hard, really hard and I had to be responsible. Helping my team reach their goals is very important and exciting for me. I didn’t really have anyone to mentor me or guide me in business so it is really important for me to be that person for my team.
#TBT we were invited to join so many strong women at Women of Influence Entrepreneur Awards Gala! @WomenOfInfluence pic.twitter.com/aFqmCCFUYj
— SUGARMOON (@SUGARMOONSALON) March 3, 2016
Paola Girotti, founder of Sugarmoon, body sugaring and natural skincare salons in Toronto.
14 years experience in the beauty industry.
How many kids do you have?
I have two beautiful kids. My son is 12 and my daughter is seven. I was married for 12 years and have been on my own for 3½ years.
Did you start your business before or after you had your kids?
I started Sugarmoon before having kids.
What was it like starting a business without the support of a partner?
Starting a business in general is tough. You need a lot of support emotionally and financially. Certainly being on my own now has forced me to be much better at planning in all aspects of my life.
What is the greatest thing you’ve learned about yourself since becoming a single parent?
I think I am incredibly strong and resilient. I am so dedicated to my kids. I’ve learned to be extremely organized at home, with schedules etc. and naturally that has helped me in my business as well.
Is there something about the beauty industry that works with your parenting situation?
I think that it is important to take care of yourself. As a single mom, you often don’t pay attention to how you look. So for me, I make the time to invest in great skin care, consumables and sugaring. My kids also have learned and practice good skin care regimes at home.
Has there ever been a moment where you said, ‘Why didn’t I get an office job?’
At least once a week. The pressures are incredible on a daily basis. I look at many of my friends who leave their jobs and they are able to unwind completely. I am 14 years in and only starting to get there.
Have you ever thought: ‘There is no way I could have done that for my kids if I was working for The Man’?
Yes, I have a lot of flexibility with my schedule. I’ve adapted my lifestyle to be there for my kids first. I find ways to work around them. (I’m up early every day.)
Any advice for other women entrepreneurs?
Take time to look after yourself. Be proud that your kids are watching you build something amazing. Manage feeling guilty. Have a glass of wine a day, invest in yoga and massage therapy. Surround yourself with great friends. I am blessed with many.
Would you get married again?
Great question. I’d love to believe that it is possible. I’m still healing, it takes a long time post-breakup and when you run your own business and have the kids 90% of the time; it makes for less time to really process. I feel pretty good right now. I have a great relationship with my kids, my ex and their new stepmom. We made a choice to put our kids first. It helps.
Misty Fox, freelance makeup artist in the film/TV/music industry
Six years experience in the beauty industry.
How many kids do you have?
One daughter. I’ve been raising her 24/7 for eight years.
What is the greatest thing you’ve learned about yourself since becoming a single parent?
I can’t focus on how intense it is. It buries me alive at times. I always look at my track record and I have to train my brain to believe in myself and trust myself. We will always be okay, better than okay. I want to sound inspirational in this interview, but the truth is you just cannot predict the ups and downs. You can only talk yourself through the hard times and keep hustling. Remember that you have skills to pay the bills, you have friends and you can’t let your fears determine your days. I am still getting better at this. It’s not easy to be chill when you are freelance.
Is there something about the beauty industry that works with your parenting situation?
YES. I pick my hours, mostly. So I can be there for the times she needs me, dance concerts, dentist appointments, school trips. There are so many facets to this industry and loads of directions you could follow. Your dreams can be massive and endless. You can also choose a stable salary based job with a make-up company and go for the corporate side of things. You never stop learning, so the opportunities to further your skills and CV are always there if you keep your eyes open.
Have you ever thought, ‘There is no way I could have done that with/or for my daughter if I was working for The Man’?
No, but I do feel there is no way I could do what I have done, without my network of strong women and great men around me. You have to be the kind of friend you want to have in others. I also could not have done this without the Canadian government; they gave me free daycare while I studied, and then for a while after, while I built my business.
Can you describe a memorable time your daughter was on the job with you?
I once received my call time in army hours and I read 15:30 as 5:30pm. (I am not great with numbers.) I got a frantic call from the singer’s manager at 4 p.m. and I had to throw my kit and my daughter in a cab and head to the hotel before my babysitter even got to my house. I cabbed my babysitter to the hotel, while my daughter sat staring at one of her favourite singers getting her makeup done. I was stressed and in a fit of apologies, I felt like I would burst into tears, because I strive to be so professional (I am my own boss, and I also get upset with myself). I was just overworked. Violet said to the artist “You don’t look like you do in your music videos,” to which she laughed and replied, “That’s kind of why your mom is here.”
Has there ever been a moment where you said, ‘I should be working a desk job’?
There are heaps of creative desk jobs, so it’s not off the table. I don’t see it as easier, [but there are] definitely more regular hours. Children’s needs change all the time, so who knows, maybe that type of thing will be more attractive to me in the future.
