How Kayliegh ramped up her business with Blackpool Unlimited

She is the skateboarding ex-dancer and trained beauty and massage therapist who found a way to connect the dots of her skills and passions to create business opportunity with Beauty by Kayliegh Algie. And Blackpool Unlimited’s Kriss Wilson helped every step of the way.

At first glance, there’s not much that connects dance, skateboarding, and beauty and massage therapy. But Blackpool-based Kayliegh Algie found a way.

“When I stopped dancing, I felt a little lost,” she explains. “I needed something to focus on, something to bring peace and stillness to my life. I began exploring skincare and massage therapy and realised they could benefit me personally and professionally, and help keep me connected to the dance world.

“I got my first beauty qualification in 2015 (a Level 2 in Hair, Beauty & Related Therapies) and it was during that course that I discovered how much of a nerd I was for the body. Learning about the anatomy and physiology of the face inspired me to learn more about the whole body, which led me to explore the massage route. The salon I was working with at the time didn’t want to go in that direction, so I decided to do it myself.”

Completing her Level 3 qualification led to the launch of Beauty by Kayliegh Algie in 2019. Partnering with a local aesthetics company and operating from their salon on Newhouse Rd in Marton gave Kayliegh a base, but she realised she also needed help getting the business ideas in her head down on paper.

Planning a more successful business

“I first met Blackpool Unlimited’s Kriss Wilson at Blackpool library when she was running surgeries there,” explains Kayliegh. “I told her my ideas, said that I already had a space to operate from but that I needed some advice on taking things further.

“A business plan is really important because it makes everything more real and more structured. It gives you a much clearer view of where you’re wanting to go and helps you see the steps you need to take to get there. Kriss helped me put my business plan together. She even helped me print off a few leaflets to get my marketing up and running.

“Since then she’s stayed in touch by email, making sure everything’s ok. She’s always so helpful.”

With Kayliegh’s drive and Kriss’ help, Beauty By Kayliegh Algie started building a pool of loyal clients, including some of her former dance colleagues. After weathering Covid, many of those clients have remained loyal. “I’m as busy as I want to be,” says Kayliegh. “I don’t want to say to my clients that I can’t fit them in. Plus, I want to make space for other things.”

Those other things include being a mum and pursuing her other passion: skateboarding.

A business on the board?

“I've been skateboarding since I was 15,” says Kayliegh, enthusiastically. “I was bullied in school. I didn't have a massive circle of friends. But I did have a few friends who skateboarded and I found that was a place I fit in, where I could be my own person.

“Skateboarding was my escape when I was younger, and it’s helped my mental health and wellbeing ever since.”

The success of Sky Brown at the Tokyo Olympics brought lots more interest in the sport and Kayliegh has been asked to help coach some younger newcomers at Ramp City, and soon at the redeveloped skatepark at Stanley Park.

“My children are six and four and they’re never off my skateboard. If I'd had that opportunity at their age maybe I’d be a pro by now. I wanted to pass on some of the passion I have for skateboarding and so I’m looking to build up that side of my life too. It’s not a business - yet. But I’m looking to make it one and do it on my days away from the salon.

“Kriss has been helping me with that too. She’s always been encouraging,” Kayliegh stresses. “She's never made me feel like I can't do something. She’ll always say ‘that's interesting - I wonder what we could do with that’. But no idea is too out there. What’s great, though, is how she's not blindly positive about your ideas. She's constructive. She makes you think about the building blocks you need to put in place to make it real. She’s sent me helpful links and given me constructive criticism on my website (which I actioned). She doesn’t do it all for you – you have to take responsibility – but she’s been a constant support.”

The dance connection

“It all comes back to dance really,” says Kayliegh. “Facials. Skincare. Massage therapy for tired limbs. The patience, resilience, balance and determination of skateboarding mirrors the discipline of dance.

“Of course, it’s not just dancers that benefit from my treatments. My clients are from all walks of life. Anyone can benefit from massage therapy – and not just physically. It has huge benefits for mental health, general wellbeing and productivity too. The same is true of skateboarding. It was a huge source of positivity for me at a time in my life when things were difficult. And I know it can make a similar difference for others.”

Ramping up

“I’m looking for opportunities to branch out with my skateboarding and massage, and to develop the medical grade massage/physiotherapy aspect of my work. I have a few upcoming opportunities that might help me turn the skateboarding into a business, and in the meantime I’m still welcoming clients to the salon. I love doing both, and I’m really grateful to Kriss for her support and advice.

“If you have an idea and you're not sure who to talk to, I’d definitely say talk to Kriss.”

Want help and advice to get started with your Blackpool business? Talk to Kriss now.