Brazilian Beauty founder switches focus during coronavirus crisis

Unable to provide beauty services during the pandemic, the woman behind a beauty empire has turned her hand to something else instead.

Brazilian Beauty staff are now making hand sanitizer.

FRANCESCA Webster knows a thing or two about being innovative after 16 years in

business.

The CEO and founder of the Brazilian Beauty empire closed 21 of her

company owned and franchised clinics last week due to the governments COVID-19

temporary closures of beauty salons and spas across the country.

While faced with adversity and having to stand down 140 of her and her franchisees’

loyal staff, Ms Webster started producing a hand sanitizer.

“When life gives you lemons, what do you do – you make margaritas,” she said.

“We started producing a socially responsible hand sanitizer four weeks ago through

our business the Australian Skin Institute. Not only has Australia been facing a

massive shortage of sanitizer, but this way we are keeping 14 of our valued

employees in a job, while helping local businesses and consumers,” she said.

“At this time in our history, it is more important than ever for us to support our

community, we have used all Australian sourced ingredients, it has been made in

Australia and our next batch will be refillable packaging also.”

Ms Webster said they had so far supplied the Queensland Police Service, health centres,

and aged care facilities, as well as the general public.

Ms Webster said she is hopeful that if the demand for sanitizer continues she will be

able to re-engage the 140 staff that have been working for her for many years.

Despite the Brazilian Beauty founder’s heartbreak over the temporary closures of her

clinics, she says this is the time for business owners to dig deep and be innovative.