Jane used the lockdown to create a new vegan business in Sheffield

Working in the beauty business for over 11 years Jane had built up a flourishing business but as the industry locked down she found herself with no work and no customers to visit, luckily one of the skincare manufacturers she represented could make sanitising gel.

“At the beginning of the pandemic sanitiser was in such short supply,” said Jane, “It was so difficult to get and the cost was going through the roof as some companies who had stock began charging inflated prices and the alcohol we used to make it tripled in price.

"It was a very challenging time for everyone but I knew I was able to do something to help.”

In the space of a week Jane had approached a company to set up production for her and create her own brand of vegan friendly hand gel sanitiser, very quickly the production line began to roll.

Jane worked on creating a sanitiser that did not dry out the hands with a nice fragrance whilst keeping the correct amount of alcohol to be effective.

It was then down to social media to get the message out and a quick post on Facebook resulted in enquiries flooding in from all over the area.

Jane started a doorstep delivery service for local Dronfield residents, mobile carers and other essential workers.

"I was receiving messages on my phone by email and on social media,” added Jane.

"People were leaving me money under plant pots and garden gnomes it was a crazy

Dronfield and Sheffield with nobody around was like a ghost town it was all very strange; I hardly saw anyone they just used to pop to the window and wave to me.”

The news travelled fast, and Jane was receiving calls from all over the country including a call from a London chemist who were struggling for sanitisers for the Nightingale hospital.

“I feel very fortunate to have been in a position to make a difference and help individuals and businesses in these challenging times,” said Jane, “I think sanitisers will become part of our daily lives now as we all continue the fight against viruses."

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