Like many Melbourne business owners, Jade Louise recently reopened the doors of her small business and is slowly catching up on a backlog of work.
“COVID-19 has been rotten for small business, and it is sad” she says.
“The biggest challenge that had [during lockdown] was paying rent. So I got out my super, to help me get through.”
Jade started the quirky shopfront several years ago in Melbourne’s Collingwood to ‘create a safe space where people can open up about their tattoos and why they want them removed.’
“I'm not gonna lie. Laser fricking hurts. It's very, very painful. But in saying that, so is getting dumped,” the 32-year-old says.
Jade has made it her business to make the process fun and help take away the pain.
Lazer Erazer is in Collingwood, Melbourne. Source: SBS Scott Cardwell
“I offer my clients an ice pack to cool the skin before we start treatment. I also hand my clients a stress ball, so they've got something to squeeze.
The colourful studio is decorated with vintage memorabilia – there’s even an old record player and video games.
“I like to create a space where it just feels like you're hanging out at home in your lounge room. I've also got lollies, I've got all the fun stuff. I'm just a big kid basically.”
A big part of her success is working with cloud accounting software supplied by Xero (www.xero.com/au )
“My bookkeeper got me onto Xero and I didn't really know much about it to start with. Then when you start to see where your finances are going.
“So if I do ever get audited, I'm ready to go. You can check my books, baby. I'm with Xero, I've got nothing to hide,” she says.
“Cash flow is the lifeblood of any small business,” says Joseph Lyons, Xero’s managing director for Australia and Asia.
“So our cloud accounting software allows a small business owner and their accountant and bookkeeper to see the same view of the financial position of that business, which is so critically important.”
Jade says Xero helps her to multi-task as a busy small business owner and a sole trader.
“Sometimes if I have to catch public transport, I can [use Xero] on my app on my phone. So it is portable like that. You can just take a photo of your receipt and attach it for each sale. So that's pretty handy too.
Xero has developed built-in features that offer flexibility and allow users to work from anywhere, Mr Lyons says.
“Many sole traders, especially tradies, don't have a traditional office set up and typically they are out on the go. So being able to access your finances on a mobile device allows them to manage easily.“
During the pandemic, Xero also moved quickly to set up a Business Continuity Hub.
Joseph Lyons is Xero MD for Australia and Asia. Source: Supplied Xero
“The hub helps small businesses emerge from pandemic lockdowns. We're equipping our customers with information, tips and guides,” Mr Lyons says.
The pandemic is not the only challenge Jade has faced in recent years. Tattoo removal suffers from a persistent stigma ‘about being really scary, really painful, and really expensive’.
“But it doesn’t have to be scary. And you don't have to walk around with that terrible tattoo that causes you stress and trauma and anxiety. You can get that removed and it can be cheap,” she says.
Jade may live in Melbourne now but she was born in the UK and later migrated to Queensland with her family aged 12, and grew up on the Gold Coast.
“I have three older brothers, and I'm the youngest. So, I'm the princess,” she says with a characteristic grin.
The turning point for Jade came at 23, when her brother passed away in a freak accident, and left an inheritance.
“I could finally afford the machinery to start up. So this business is solely for him. And I hope he's so proud of me, you know, for doing it.”
Jade’s clients come from all walks of life, and many want to update their earlier choices.
Some customers regret their choice of tattoo. Source: SBS Scott Cardwell
“A lot of tattoos come with trauma. Some have a bad history. It could be a partner's name. And it could cause a lot of bad memories.”
Jade admits making mistakes with her own tattoos, which she started getting frommage 17 as a ‘rebellious teenager’.
“Some were ghastly and woeful. So when I got into laser, I started removing them,” she says.
With a long backlog of clients waiting for appointments, the books are filling up fast.
“It’s great to have the doors open again,” says Jade. “I’m working overtime just to keep up.”
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Xero helps small businesses thrive worldwide by connecting small business owners with their numbers, their bank, and advisors anytime. Find out more at https://www.xero.com/au.
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