Initially set up using just a WhatsApp group and an email address, Glissed is now the number one website for booking freelance beauty pros to come to your home or hotel anywhere in Ireland.
Now, the entrepreneurs behind the venture, Louise Dunne and Niamh McHugh, are building their business with a view to taking it global.
We caught up with them to find out what they’ve learned so far…
1. You can’t build a business in your bedroom- get out and chat with people! You might think your idea is the next Snapchat but if no one is going to use it, don’t waste your time building it. Build a business that solves a real problem and survey as many people as you can to validate your idea.
2. Use what you have to get started. We initially built Glissed using an email address and a WhatsApp group so you don’t have to be a total tech wizard to test something out.
3. Be open to change- Your idea will transform with the market and with customer feedback. Don’t be too precious with your original idea or you could miss your shot. Be open to feedback and learning from others.
4. Have the will to upskill; whether it’s legal, coding or Photoshop, be willing to step outside your comfort zone and open to upskilling. We didn’t realise how much could be learned from YouTube until we started out. It’s not just beauty tutorials and cat videos; you can become an expert at anything with the help of the internet.
5. There are some great supports out there: When we had our idea we didn’t have a clue where to start. We knew nothing about start-ups or business. We were lucky enough to get a place on the NDRC Female Founders program in partnership with Enterprise Ireland from June to December 2016 and won at their investor day in December. NDRC’s investment programmes are currently taking applications, so if you have an idea it is definitely the best place to start.
6. No business is an overnight success. You make your own luck and nothing happens overnight. It takes hard work, resilience and determination. Nothing is as easy as it looks, unfortunately! Snapchat was founded six years ago and Air BnB was founded nine years ago. You have to be in it for the long haul.
