For the self-employed, bringing it all back home brings big rewards

By Jessica Mulock

Shannon-Lee Gillis is an entrepreneur who runs her business out of her home. She does, as the cliche says, work for the best boss in the world. But, she says, customers like it too. When they visit her home-based esthetics business on Kamloops’ North Shore, they know the money they spend goes to supporting her family and paying for her home.

“I think the majority of people like to know what they’re supporting," said Gillis, 34, who has operated Beauty Has Endless Possibilities out of her home for five years. "They’re investing in me and in what I do and what I believe in.”

Home-based businesses are a growing trend in Canada. Between October 2008 and October 2009 self-employment increased by 4.3 per cent in Canada according to a 2010 Statistics Canada survey. In 2009, the 2.7 million self-employed workers comprised 16 per cent of the employed labour force.

Gillis decided to open her own business when she found that working at a big name spa wasn't as rewarding as she hoped.

She trained at some of Canada’s most renowned esthetics institutions like Vancouver’s John Casablancas Institute and Complections International Make-Up Artistry in Toronto, one of the leading make-up schools in North America.

With her education, training and experience, Gillis felt she was worth more than the minimum wage she was offered.

“Some places out here are really taking advantage of the actual worker and I didn’t agree with that,” Gillis said.

The process she went through to open her business followed guidelines set out by the City of Kamloops Business Licensing Department.

Gillis had to rezone her home to match the licensing policy and obtain her licence, which is required by municipal bylaw and cost $146. She can't run her business without it and must renew it each year.

She said before this is all figured out the most important thing is to know what you’re doing with your business.

“Know yourself; don’t just jump out of school. Have your experience, have the work behind you. Get your experience and make sure that you have all the proper equipment and products.”

Gillis has 15 years of experience in make-up artistry, three years of teaching esthetics and make-up artistry at the London School of Aesthetics and four separate degrees and certificates in makeup artistry and SPFX.

Kailey Colonna, a fifth-year Thompson Rivers University student, has been a client of Gillis’ for the last two years.

“I was really nervous going there,"Colonna said of her first visit. " Sometimes these kinds of businesses are really sketchy, but Shannon made me feel really comfortable.”

Gillis said it’s a common misconception about home-based businesses because people assume they’re not well thought out and have just been thrown together.

The personal care and social aspect that Gillis brings to every appointment keeps her clients booking.

Initially when she opened her business, Gillis only provided services related to esthetics, like facials and make-up application, and she provided these services by visiting customers. She made the move to a business based out of her home mainly to save her clients money.

“I wanted to make sure the client got all the services I could perform,” added Gillis.

Home-based businesses, like Gillis’, generally rely on inexpensive means of advertising, like websites and word-of-mouth. Gillis said her webpage, along with word-of-mouth, has been the most effective way of bringing in clients.

Gillis first advertised her business through the Yellow Pages, but realized that it wasn’t helping her attract clientele.

Lynda Boutilier, 62, a professional artist whose work can be seen at The Artists’ Studio and Gallery in Sahali Centre Mall, has run her home-based business, Boutilier Studio Gallery, since 1998.

Like Gillis, Boutilier relies heavily on word of mouth and said for her recommendations from other people generally carry more weight than formal advertising.

Boutilier is a seasoned veteran in the art world of Kamloops and teaches art in her home studio and with Kamloops Parks and Recreation.

“I felt that to be able to be licenced as a home-based business would give a credibility that I otherwise wouldn’t have,” she said.

Boutilier mainly teaches oils and pastels and helps her students with the whole process of creating a painting.

She said she learned a lot about running a business from a Community Futures workshop she attended.

Community Futures is a federally registered not-for-profit corporation that provides workshops and seminars to educate people about banking, labour, business, professional and government services.

“They give you lots of tips. If it’s a home-based business you have to pick through and find what works best for you.”

Boutilier recommends keeping it simple if you’re looking to get into a home-based business.

“Make sure that what you are wanting to do has a big enough base to hold the business. Find out if what you’re wanting to do really and truly has a place.”

Gillis said the key to her success is she is always adding to her resume and adding new services.

“I’m always trying to expand, always striving for something. I’m never settled,” she said.

Gillis has now added her own make-up and anti-aging skincare lines, so she now sells products as well as services, adding that she plans to produce a catalogue to sell her products.

“I’d love to just have a store of products,” she said of her long-term goal.

For more information about how to get a home-based business up and running visit the City of Kamloops Business Licensing Department or email blicensed@kamloops.ca.