Nurse who runs Falkirk beauty business thanks colleagues, customers and patients for support amid pandemic

Stefanie Findlay, owner of Little Reds Aesthetics in Vicar Street, Falkirk, has practised nursing for nine years and started a new role in the ITU at St John’s Hospital, Livingston just a week before the country was forced into lockdown.

As she launched a new skincare range, the 37-year-old wanted to take time to show her appreciation for all her colleagues, customers and even patients have done for her during the pandemic.

Stefanie, who was nominated for a High Street Hero Award last year, said: “I started my new job on March 16 last year in intensive care, and then we locked down on March 23.

“It was a baptism of fire. You can walk into ITU as a very experienced nurse and you’re back to school on day one. It’s very specialised.

“As a nurse, I’m grateful for every patient who has allowed me to look after them. It’s been hard for families.

“Within the unit I work in, there’s not a patient who’s ever on their own. We’ll hold their hand for the family.

"I was a new-start just as this was kicking off and the support I had from the team was phenomenal.

“I’m very grateful for everybody who’s supported my business – I got a lot of kind messages through social media because most of my patients know where I work.

“The support we’ve had for the individual businesses within this business has been phenomenal.”

The “businesses” Dalkeith woman Stefanie refers to are The House of Geeky Gal – provider of a new line of cleanser, Vitamin C serum, night serum and sun screen products – and Little Reds Lip, which offers lip scrub, lip oil and lip balm.

Inspired by the nickname of her childhood football team, the Liverpool FC fan originally launched her business in Bo’ness in 2012 before expanding into Falkirk four years later.

Stefanie believes she identified a gap in the market to offer a medically safe service.

She continued: “I wanted to make it as minimal risk as possible and create an environment that’s safe for people, run by somebody with medical knowledge.

“One of the hardest things was actually charging somebody. We’ll run about daft for you in the hospital but never ask for money, so it was very difficult to start with.

“When I expanded I opened up different services. We’ve got girls who do nails and lashes and a hairdresser who runs the machines for us.

“I’m passionate about skin and wanted to have my own skincare range. House Of Geeky Gal is our sister company.

“It’s a range that suits any skin type. They’re products to repair, nourish and protect the skin.

“Although the products have been in the pipeline for a while, it gave me something to focus on during the lockdown period of the pandemic.”

As restrictions in Scotland ease, Stefanie is confident about the future.

She said: “I’m far more optimistic this time, with the vaccines, and we’ve got to grips with the rules and wearing masks.

“The vaccine roll-out has been phenomenal. I would tell everybody to have their vaccine.”

Visit www.littleredsaesthetics.com.

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