In this new âConnect-19â interview series, we hope to shed light on inspirational and uplifting stories and people, amid these continually challenging times. Starting the series off strong, volunteer Label writer Lydia Potrykus sits down with friend and business-owner Hollie Grant who has shown strength, passion, and dedication over the last eight months.
In an attempt to shine some light on what is, undoubtedly, a dark time, I spoke to dancer and model, Hollie Grant (20) about her experiences running a small business during the Covid-19 lockdown.
âI created ‘Heels With Hollssâ in early 2020â, Hollie tells me, in the way that has become the new normal for social interaction: over Zoom. âIâd recently graduated from dance school and moved back home, and I knew there was nothing like this in my local communityâ.
Seeing a gap in the market, Hollie took the initiative to start up her own dance business, âHeels With Hollssâ, instructing in heels dancing. Hollie tells me how she hoped to give women a safe space to feel sexy and confident, âI set up my class with the intention of empowering women […] thatâs how I feel when I get to put on a pair of heels and do my dancingâ.
After starting her classes in early 2020, Hollie was suddenly faced with emerging restrictions, âwhen restrictions started coming on, I was able to carry on my classes for a whileâ. Once a full lockdown was introduced, Hollie had to rethink things completely, âI couldnât go to the studio […] thatâs when it did affect meâ.
âMy classes are all about giving women an opportunity to go somewhere to express themselvesâ – passionate about empowering women, Hollie was faced with a tough decision – âI took all of my classes online, completely free of chargeâ. It didnât come as a surprise that online classes werenât as popular: âwhen my numbers got lower throughout lockdown it was a bit disappointing, but understandableâ.
âIâve basically come out of lockdown and had to start from scratchâ, Hollie tells me. To some, this may sound like a death sentence for a new business, but this young entrepreneur has taken it all in her stride; âIt has been a blessing in a way, […] my business has grown so much more since [we] came out of lockdownâ.
Post-lockdown, Hollie jumped right into getting her business back on track, âweâre at a brand-new studio, where I also teach in other classesâ. There have been certain restrictions, including being limited to class sizes of 15, âitâs been frustrating. If I have more than 15 I have to turn people down, […] I could open more classes, but Iâd risk not making enough to cover the studioâ. There are also other smaller details to consider, like hand sanitiser and taping down guides to ensure social distancing, all of which have ensured that clients feel safe, âI explained all of my Covid procedures and Iâve had minimal concern from those who come to classâ.
Even with safety measures in place, there are other barriers to consider, âIâm completely self-employed as a model and a dancer, […] Iâve not received any supportâ, Hollie tells me, as we move on to discuss the recent remarks made by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak regarding the arts industry. âIt would be challenging for any government dealing with a crisis like thisâ, Hollie comments, âbut I think that reaction, in particular, telling artists to re-train and find new jobs […] itâs ridiculousâ. Discussing the importance of the arts, Hollie sums up the situation quite clearly: âthere would be no more theatre, no music, no TV, no films; everything we enjoy would be taken awayâ.
Despite some bumps along the way, Hollie says she feels positive about the future of her business, âitâs been really really good if Iâm honest, […] my turn-out has been great and all the girls have been really supportiveâ. As I ask about how sheâs feeling about the future, I get only positivity in response, âlockdown really gave me a chance to work on marketing and networking, and my class has boomedâ. Hollie even has plans for expanding in the future, âit would be ideal to have a beginnerâs class and an intermediate class, exclusive workshops and guest choreographers, thereâs definitely potential for growthâ.
Bringing our conversation to a close, I asked Hollie for her advice to other current or aspiring creatives and small business owners, âit would just be to remember why you started […] itâs because you love it, because you donât want a âtypical jobââ. On staying positive in difficult times, I found her final remarks to be particularly impactful, so Iâll leave you with this: âit doesnât matter if the government care, your next-door neighbour loves going to watch the ballet, the kids down the road love their dance lessons […] the everyday people value you and what you do, thatâs what countsâ.
Header designed by volunteer Sofia Azcona.
