By Dillon Goring
The year 2020 has been a difficult year for many persons and businesses worldwide. This is according to J.P Morgan Chase and Company, which conducted a study during the initial stages of the pandemic back in March of this year.

These difficulties spanned all industries worldwide and including the beauty industry. According to a survey carried out by the Economic Times in New Delhi India in May of 2020, beauty parlours underwent a seismic shift in the new normal. Like all other businesses, these entities had to adopt new ways of practising their craft, particularly given the personal nature of their operations.

On the local scene, small beauty parlours that rented modest spaces in larger malls have been compelled to cease operations in response to national health directives with regard to the closure of businesses. While some of these have since resumed their operations in the wake of relaxed restrictions, many have been sufficiently affected by the loss of income to find it difficult to get back on the feet.

This is according to a Stabroek News Article dated July 31, 2020.
However, the story of Kevin’s Reflection’s survival has been an amazing one.
Since the pandemic began, Kevin’s Reflection has had to adjust and invest to meet the demands of its client and customers.
During an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, co-owner Yolande John explained that the company has undergone major investments since the pandemic began.
“When this all started, we were like everybody else thinking how we would get through this? How do we continue and make our business viable? It called for a lot of brain storming and coming up with ways to make it safe for our customers,” she explained.

Yolande outlined the various changes that the company would have gone through to make it safe for customers and business clients.
She also made the point that what was previously taken for granted, became a focal point of consideration for not only the viability of the business but the safety of customers as well.
It was noted that the implementations that the company had to make incurred a huge cost, but the cost for the services weren’t in any way increased.

“Yet now, we are sanitising after every client which is a cost, disposable capes are now being you to ensure the safety of customers. Our massage services are now using disposable sheets, to not only ensure safety but also to be hygienic,” she said.

Yolande noted that at the end of the day, the company is looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and a hurdle to have to be crossed, but they are hopeful that it is going to get better.
Kevin’s Reflection has been around for several years serving its customers’ hair and beauty needs.

Yolande also noted that while sanitisation would have been taken for granted in years gone by, greater emphasis is now being placed on a hygienic environment and safety for customers.
“Not to say that sanitisation has never been our top priority, but this time around, it is more imperative that sanitisation measures are practised after every client,” Yolande told Pepperpot Magazine.

During an interview with one of the other employees, it was revealed that the revenue that is normally garnered from persons has been significantly reduced.
“We aren’t getting as much as we used to, some days are bright, while some aren’t, some persons maintain their same hairstyle, and while some are going natural,” the employee told Pepperpot Magazine.

Meanwhile, another hair salon owner Margaret Hermonstine told the Pepperpot Magazine that the issue is now about the impact the novel coronavirus has on persons, rather than the ability for them to attend the salon to have their hair done.

“Persons who now go to salons are now fully prepared with their masks, and other protective equipment and the salons now are fully sanitised,” Hermonstine told the Pepperpot Magazine.
With respect to financial acquirement, Hermonstine posited that it is now more difficult to garner revenue than pre-COVID.

She also opined that there need to be other supplements to cushion the effects of financial incomes to offset normal expenses.