Starting your own business is always tough, but try having a global pandemic thrown on top of that.
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Eighteen year-old Jessica-Rose Lutschini knows just how hard it's been after setting up her own massage and beauty business in Lithgow, called Jessica-Rose Massage & Beauty.
"I opened in February and then had to close in March due to COVID-19," she said.
"I was really upset because I was just getting going and then it all went down hill."
Miss Lutschini said it was a challenge when she didn't have enough clients to cover the cost of rent.
"Sometimes, if I don't have many clients one week it's hard to pay my rent or sometimes I won't make profit because I have to cover rent," she said.
Despite a few bumps in the road on her business journey, she's doing her best to keep positive.
"I knew it was going to be hard being a young business owner let alone COVID added on top of that, but I know I'll get there and things are starting to look up," Miss Lutschini said.
"I just need to keep positive and hope for the best."
Miss Lutschini rents a beauty room at Massage on Main and operates every Monday and Friday, as well as every second Tuesday from 9am-5pm.
"I'm so lucky to have opened my own massage and beauty business in my hometown," she said.
She said she was grateful to Massage on Main's Robynne West and Jeanette Beecroft for allowing her to start up her business.
"I am very grateful for them believing in me and giving me a go. They are both lovely and great role models in this industry," she said.
Miss Lutschini encouraged young people thinking of starting their own business to "go for it".
"My advice to anyone who's thinking of starting their own business is to go for it.
"You don't want to be stuck in a job you hate when you could open your own business and do something you love and be happy," she said.
She said her ultimate goal would be to have her own salon and hire people to work with her.
Miss Lutschini has a diploma, Cert III in beauty and Cert III in makeup which she gained through studying at TAFE in Katoomba.
Through her business she offers tinting, waxing, massage, hot stones and facials.
"I'll be adding more things [services] as I grow," she said.
Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
