SISTERS Lisa Luscombe and Kate Verdin-Walsh have just celebrated their third year in business in Birkenhead.
The talented duo opened Boss Birds Parlour on Argyle Street in October 2019 after running a successful online business supporting local independent retailers.
Here, in our latest Trader of the Week feature, Lisa and Kate tell us how they overcame a tough start to their new business during the Covid-19 pandemic and how focussing on mental health and wellbeing has been crucial to the company’s success.
Boss Birds Parlour owners Lisa Luscombe (left) and Kate Verdin-Walsh
What’s the address?
72 Argyle Street
Birkenhead
CH41 6AF
When did you open your business?
October 2019
Has it always been in the same location?
Yes, however we did start our business online and as it grew, our vision grew with it. We wanted a place we could bring our community together. Our online shop is as busy as ever and we now deliver all over the UK. It’s great to have somewhere our customers can visit in person as well.
Boss Birds Parlour on Argyle Street in Birkenhead
Are you local?
We grew up in Liverpool and moved over to the Wirral as teenagers. Having a shop that’s so close to the Birkenhead tunnel has given us the opportunity to bring the Wirral and Liverpool communities together in what we like to call our happy place.
Tell us about your business
It’s a fully vegan gift and wellbeing shop which supports small independent local businesses. We have a gift shop which is made up of makers and creators and a nail and brow bar with a therapy room offering talking therapy/counselling and holistic therapies all under one roof. We strive to bring our customers the best products and services that contribute to a better wellbeing. We have always made it our mission to create a shop that offers everything to make you feel good inside and out. We’re very proud to have been a finalist in this year’s Wirral business awards.
We have everything from healing crystals, skincare products and chemical free cleaning products to jewellery, quirky gifts and reusables. There’s also candles, personalised clothing and homeware as well as art, traditional toys and accessories.
Our nail and brow bar is open five days a week - Tuesday to Saturday.
The therapy room is the most chilled out, relaxed place in the parlour, away from the main shop floor. Along with holistic treatments, we also have our councillor Helen available every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday offering person-centred therapy (also known as talking therapy). Person-centred therapy provides a calm, quiet space where you can talk freely. Our counselling services are suitable for all ages.
Boss Birds Parlour has a nail and brow bar that's open five days a week
What’s your business background?
After owning a wine bar - Vanilla Lounge - in Hoylake for nine years, we both had a passion for collaborating with other local businesses and knew the importance of bringing a community together. We went on to offer consultancy services, attending and hosting networking meetings in the local area, which made us realise there was a need for independents to have a support hub - a place where they could work together as a team, to offer their products and services without all the extra stress that running a business can bring. We know all too well that being a business owner can be a lonely place and the difference a positive environment can have when working towards your goals.
Why this type of business?
We really wanted something that reflected who we are and what we stand for. We know how important it is to look after your mental health and wellbeing and really wanted to be able to offer something unique. It was then we decided to have everything under one roof that was not only vegan and cruelty free but contributed to a better state of wellbeing. Having been involved with animal rescue since 2008, we needed the shop to align with our own ethos. We wanted to show our customers that quality doesn’t have to be compromised when it comes to cruelty free and we decided that everything in the parlour, from our products to our beauty and therapy services, would be vegan friendly.
Some of the vegan friendly products available at Boss Birds Parlour
How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?
We opened just six months before Covid hit so we had no idea just how challenging our first couple of years would be. During the pandemic, we decided to focus on the online business, offering live markets on our social media platforms, with local delivery and click and collect. We’re so grateful to all our customers who have supported us throughout the past three years.
What sets your business apart from your competitors?
We pride ourselves on our customer service and offering the most unique vegan gift, products and services. We’re not just a shop but a place people can come to top up their self-care and if they want a bit of retail therapy, there’s lots to browse while they’re here.
Why do loyal customers return to your business?
Our loyal customers return because of our personalised shopping experience. We not only offer a friendly and positive environment to shop and we listen to our customers, help them find the perfect gift for a loved one, friend or family member and go the extra mile to make their shopping experience an enjoyable one.
Santa and his elves are busy getting the shop ready for Christmas
What’s next?
We are still recovering from the pandemic and would encourage people to support local independent businesses. We are looking forward to hosting our regular wellbeing events and the launch of our Christmas collection will be on Saturday, November 5. We are re-launching our business consultancy and social media services, to enable us to help even more small businesses to thrive.
If you want to appear in our Trader of the Week feature, email heidi.summerfield@ newsquest.co.uk
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