We All Need a Little Love and Support in Time of Need By Clive Allwright

I have recently returned back to the UK for the next few months. Unfortunately, due to my Dad having dementia and sadly he’s condition has worsened during the past few years of the pandemic.

I recall listening to Antony Whitaker’s podcast ‘Grow My Salon Business.” He explained how us business owners should be prepared for almost anything. He was referencing the forced government shutdowns at the time. He also explained how there are many other variables most of us hadn’t maybe considered when running a small business. What happens if we were to be involved in an accident, diagnosed with illness, or the many other contributing factors we simply didn’t plan or prepare for.

I also listened to an amazing episode on Anthony’s podcast with Nick Arrojo from Arrojo Studio in NYC. Nick spoke passionately on how he had the courage to battle through some of the most extreme circumstances in running his businesses. He discussed how he battled to keep his businesses running through many months of shutdowns. Loosing most of his staff as they fled NYC as the pandemic continued. It was a masterclass on resilience. Nick explained how he didn’t think that even having 3 months of cash reserves would be enough for him moving forward. He was working hard towards having at least 6 months cash reserve to future proof his business in preparation for the next unthinkable event. I thought at the time “That’s a lot of cash reserve, but who knows what’s in store for any of us in the future?” We really need to be prepared for the unexpected.

For example, so many of us migrants now living in Australia have close family still living overseas. I am sure it’s always been in the back of our minds. That day will sadly come when we need to do the horrible dash back to our homelands, in support of our loved ones. My recent flight back to the UK was over 30 hours from door to door. That’s a long time to sit by yourself and be with your own thoughts, fears, and what I can only described as seriously mixed emotions. Especially now, as I thankfully don’t drink anymore. I couldn’t imagine going through all that uncertainty compiled with a hangover to elevate my anxiety.

I have been incredibly blessed to have the most beautiful support from my wife Jane, my children Lulu, Jayde and Harry, my business partner Kelly, our amazing salon manager Natalie. I am very lucky to have the most incredible friends and clients whom have all supported me in making this trip home even possible. They have all seen the anguish and emotional turmoil I have been through in making the tough decision to leave my family and businesses to get my Dad the help he desperately needs.

I spoke with my friend Gareth two weeks before my scheduled departure from Sydney. I explained how we had recently lost 2 key staff members and how I didn’t think it would be now possible for me to leave our businesses. We desperately needed at least another stylist to help take care of my clients. Without hesitation Gareth said “Clive, I will come and cut your clients two days a week on my days off. Then that’s one less thing you now don’t need to worry about. Go and get on that plane!” Friends like Gareth don’t come around very often. I will always be eternally grateful for all your kindness, love, hard work and support my friend.

The night I arrived in London I was honoured to be invited as a guest on Kristina Russell’s podcast “Colour Kristina Talks” Episode 109 if you fancy a listen. I spoke openly and out of my comfort zone about my personal journey of sobriety. Which I first made public in a previous blog “Coming clean about sobriety”. I received so many messages of support from the most beautiful people, thank you! Which made me understand once again, I am not alone. I also felt a deeper connection to the land I had just left. As I mentioned in the podcast “The opposite to addiction is connection” I had an overwhelming feeling of connection to all the people who took the time to send me messages of love and support or openly shared their own similar stories.

Life is difficult… that’s why I drank in the first place! But whatever the universe has in store for me in the coming months. Understanding that I am not alone and having the most incredibly beautiful people in my life is simply amazing. I will try to face whatever life throws at me with the same mindset as I have tackled sobriety, my health and wellbeing in bite size pieces. One day at a time!

Like most of us, the world feels a little broken right now… We all have our own personal set of challenges. I walked the streets of London last week where I spent my youth as young apprentice, so much has changed. There are so many vacant shops for lease. Iconic businesses have closed. Sadly, Sassoon’s has closed on South Moulton St, Amazon has opened a salon in Spitalfields. But there’s is still a que outside Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

When we are out of comfort zone and life changes direction. Knowing we are not alone, gives us that feeling of connection and survival. Having friends, family and colleagues who show us nothing but unconditional love, strength, courage and support. Is all that most of us need to keep us going. I am sure a designer handbag or pair of shoes doesn’t come close in actually making us truly happy… Not that I would have any idea or feel the urgent need to find out.