After overcoming personal challenges as well as professional ones, Debbie Mace came up with the idea for Hair Supply, a home-based company which specialises in custom-made hair pieces.
Debbie suffers from Alopecia, a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, particularly the scalp. She found the embarrassment of walking into a wig shop to order a hair piece too much and her confidence suffered because of it.
She said: “My alopecia began in 1999. At first it was one clump but after nine months I had completely lost my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes and the effect on my life was devastating.
“At the time I was married and had a very good job at the Yorkshire Building Society. I was a well known face about town and all of a sudden I was going bald and I was desperately embarrassed about it. I lost my confidence and my marriage broke down. I stayed in my job but people often commented on my looks and it was hard.”
Embarrassment was not the only issue facing Debbie, she also found that most of the wigs she wore were extremely ill-fitting and uncomfortable until she came across a specialist who was able to make exactly what she wanted.
Through starting a new relationship and a filling a short-term position in a new job, she regained her confidence and started Hair Supply.
Business Doncaster assisted Debbie through Community Enterprise Advisor Mike Lister who offered her help and support in her business. She has since had a stall at the Business Doncaster Showcase at the Dome towards the end of 2008 and has been involved in international women’s day as well as becoming a fully qualified expert in custom-made hair, offering a discreet service visiting client’s homes.
She continued: “I don’t only cater for people with alopecia. My service can help cancer patients, burns sufferers, people who are transgender or simply people whose hair is naturally thinning. I take referrals from GPs and specialist support groups but anyone can get in touch. I’m just delighted to be able to help.”
For more information on Hair Supply contact Debbie on 07765 172 045
