Poppy Fleur: An Interview with Cardiff ’s Up-and-Coming Entrepreneur

words by: IZZY WACKETT design by: ESTHER LOI

Poppy Elliot, or more commonly known by her avid customers as Poppy Fleur, is a third year Cardiff University Student. The owner of the outrageously cool nail salon, Poppy Fleur Nails. She provides vegan and cruelty free insta-worthy nails, which will make all your mates instantly jealous of your new pamper.

At the ripe age of twenty-one, Poppy started her business in August 2018 from home on her mobile phone, where she mostly styled her friends and fellow student’s nails. By July 2019, she had created her own Fleur Studio, located in Castle Emporium, Cardiff City Centre. As well as owning her own studio, Poppy has massively expanded her online business, whereby her main point of advertising is on her Instagram account; @poppyfleurnails, which boasts over 6,000 followers.

With prices starting at £16 for gel nails to a full set of acrylics for £35, you can get pretty much get any design you wish, ranging from glitter wonders to delicate nail art. If your student budget allows you to treat yourself to a manicure they last for weeks and are definitely worth the price!

Getting through university is challenging enough, and managing your own business may be intimidating. In order to keep up a successful business, being organised is crucial. Like most students, I struggle with managing my workload and social life, yet, Poppy makes it seem effortless. We were fortunate enough to bag ourselves an interview with the budding entrepreneur and asked her how she manages her workload, and her top tips for staying grounded.

QUENCH FASHION: What is the most challenging aspect of running your own business and managing university work? POPPY: The most challenging aspect is definitely having the motivation to complete university work, my priorities lie strongly with my business. However, I know it’s so important to complete my degree.

QF: How do you keep yourself organised? POPPY: I keep myself organised by having around 50,000 to-do lists on the go at all times! My brain is naturally quite chaotic, so my life being all over the place is never really too much of an issue. It does help however to use a physical diary to keep everything in one place.

QF: When did you consider your nail salon a success? POPPY: Success is really hard to define, I’m one of those annoying people who is always thinking ‘what next’ and ‘how can I make this bigger?’. At the moment, I have 4 girls working with me, we work really well together, we are consistently busy and have a lot of fun together. At the moment, that is successful to me.

QF: What is the biggest factor that has helped you be successful? POPPY: Support from my friends and family has been so helpful! My main source of support however, is my boyfriend Harry. He is kind and my number one fan. Of course, I also believe that putting in an extreme amount of effort behind the scenes, late nights and being consistent has always been important.

QF: Owning your own business this early on is pretty cool and inspiring, but what are you most proud of? POPPY: I’m most proud of my girls who work with me. Under my training and their own practicing, they have become such good nail technicians! QF: Who inspires you? POPPY: I’m inspired by all women, their strength, tenacity and grace.

QF: Obviously, having the spare time to manage work and university life is vital for our health and mental wellbeing. For many, this may be exploring the secret wonders of Wales, whilst for others it might involve letting loose on the dance floors of Cardiff ’s many clubs. What is your ideal way of spending your spare time? POPPY: I mostly spend my free time pottering around my house trying to keep up with all the things that seem to pile up when I’m busy working. Chilling at home is my favourite way to relax, other than that I can be seen walking along the beach in Penarth. I find water always calms me and clears my head.

QF: What does the future hold? POPPY: I hope to grow the business more and be able to affect real change by working with charities and other local businesses. We want to educate, grow and be a good example to other women wanting to start a business.

QF: What is the best piece of advice you have received? And can you give us some advice for any potential business owners at university? POPPY: Be you. Be consistent. Be kind. For all those wanting to start a business, make sure if you are the face of your business like I am, to be yourself. Ensure you run your business in a way that is authentic to you.