N.S. Cosmetologists Frustrated After Being Excluded From Grant Program

HALIFAX–When Jo-Anne Rector started Simplicity Nail Studio in Halifax 10 years ago, she worked three other jobs to help keep her business afloat. As the nail studio became more successful, she was able to drop the extra jobs and focus solely on her clients.

But now, Rector might have to once again get another job, as the Omicron wave of Covid-19 has been wiping out revenue across Nova Scotia’s cosmetology industry.

Consumer confidence is low due to the Omicron wave and health regulations have severely limited salons in the services they can offer.

“I had 12 cancellations last week alone,” said Rector. “I can’t do facial waxing at all; anything below the mask. And who wants to get a spray tan with a face mask on?”

Rector estimates her revenue was down 50 percent in December, which is usually a very busy month for salons. January is even worse, with Simplicity bringing in 75 percent less money than usual.

To add insult to injury, those in the beauty industry, like Rector, have been excluded from Nova Scotia’s Sector Impact Support Program. Businesses that do qualify can receive a grant worth up to $7,500 to help with expenses if they’ve been affected by Covid-19.

Rector heard about the program in December from the Nova Scotia Cosmetology Association. She sent various emails to government officials looking for answers on why she doesn’t qualify for the program but says she got no response.

“I did send an email off to the program, they have not replied. I have sent an email off to the premier: no reply. And I sent an email off to the Minister of Economic Development: no reply,” listed Rector.

“I’m actually very disappointed in this government. I’m very disappointed in their lack of communication…I feel like they think we’re a small business industry that is not worthy because we’re the beauty industry.”

Huddle Today reached out to Nova Scotia’s Department of Economic Development, asking why the cosmetology industry was excluded from the program. The emailed response dodged the question, saying the department is monitoring the needs of business sectors.

“It is important to note that restrictions and guidelines have been applied differently to different business sectors and business types and activity,” reads the email. “But as we have done throughout the pandemic, we continue to monitor the need for supports for other sectors while complementing federal programs as we move through the next phase of recovery.”

The opposition Liberal Party has taken notice of the issue. In a January 12 press release, the Liberals mentioned the cosmetology industry as an example of the types of businesses excluded from the grant program.

“It’s a complete oversight of the Houston government to leave such an integral part of our business community out of these supports,”  Economic Development critic Fred Tilley says in the press release. “Self-employed and small business owners are calling on the government to be included.”

For now, Rector is relying on the federal government’s support program to help stay afloat. But that is only giving her $270 per week, which isn’t much for a business to survive on.

“That’s not really going to…pay for a lot,” said Rector. “I have a spouse who is financially supporting me right now, which I don’t really like.”

January has been an especially tough month this year for people in the industry. Normally, a salon would have made enough money during the holiday season to see through a slow start to the new year. But Omicron was cruel to many businesses in December of 2021.

“One of my friends (in the industry), her kids’ Christmas was they got two little, tiny gifts each,” said Rector. “We’re hurting and no one’s listening.”

Over at the Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia, Executive Director Dana Sharkey is echoing much of the same sentiment as Rector. Sharkey says she has also sent off many emails to the government with her concerns, with no response.

“They Haven’t reached out at all. I’ve sent multiple emails to a few different people, including the Premier, since December when it first came out; no response,” she says.

Sharkey receives calls from concerned association members every day, worried they won’t be able to pay rent or other essentials.

“They’re crying on the phone, they’re calling me two or three times a day, they’re emailing…we’re trying to help them, but we can’t seem to get anywhere,” she said.

“We had one lady calling us crying; she couldn’t feed her kids. It’s hard.”

Sharkey notes that, by excluding cosmetology from the grant program, the government has excluded nearly 2,000 businesses that operate in Nova Scotia. She believes the needs of the industry have been overlooked by the province.

“I think in the very beginning they were (listening). But somewhere along the way they seem to have forgotten about us.”

Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].