The beauty and wellness app to help you find a 'hidden' beautician in Lincoln
"We're saying to people, 'come and sharpen your skills, because you have it'"
Molly Court
Eyitayo Oyebanji and his wife Anastasia founded gratiFLY in 2019
A pair of entrepreneurs in Lincoln have launched a new app in the city to help find 'hidden talents' in the beauty and wellness industry.
Eyitayo Oyebanji and his wife Anastasia founded gratiFLY in 2019 to provide a platform for people with a side job, who don't have salons, and want to be showcased in the community.
Eyitayo, a pharmacist and lecturer at the University of Lincoln School of Pharmacy, came up with the idea as one of the only men in his community pharmacy setting.
Read more: Lincolnshire named in the UK's sunniest staycation destinations
He said: "I hear the same conversation, sometimes multiple times a day, about where ladies are going to get things like their hair done, their nails done and waxing done.
"It became apparent to me that a lot of people have hidden talents and provide these services.
"I don't like calling them a 'side hustle', I prefer to call them hidden talents because they are very talented, they do a brilliant job but not all of them work in salons.
"You find people who provide these businesses have availability but their small circle of friends don't need anything doing, but there are other people who want these services and don't know where to find them."
In Lincolnshire, Eyitayo says the amount of people who provide side jobs in the beauty industry is "amazing" and they want to be at the forefront of being that one place where people can be empowered.
gratiFLY will also aim to take a lot of worries away for small businesses who are looking to take the next step.
Anastasia Oyebanji
Anastasia, co-founder of gratiFLY, said: "For hidden talents there is so much scepticism, the fear, the cost of running a premises, the businesses knowledge, but we immediately take that burden from them and say you know what, join this app and we will do the rest for you.
"We're saying to people, 'come and sharpen your skills, because you have it', everyone is gifted with something, you don't always know what it is until you experiment."
The app is also going to provide a place for the new generation of talent coming out of education.
Eyitayo explained: "We have a lot of people who go to college and study beauty and hairdressing and they come out young and inexperienced and they can't make a career from that so a lot of people gravitate to other jobs.
"I have a lot of examples like that in community pharmacy so one of our strategies is to collaborate with colleges so people can showcase themselves that way."
gratiFLY will allow app users to look at photo galleries so they can choose what service will suit them best because "beauty is about expressing yourself and finding what suits you."
Other features will include a two-way rating system and a specific location tool.
Eyitayo said: "We sold our dream to Lincolnshire County Council and we got £10,000 to help with the business and we as a business want to give that straight back to the community.
"For a period of time on gratiFLY until that grant is exhausted, we want to give a discount to our service users - so basically not only is the app free, they can also get a 20% discount off their next three beauty experiences."
To sign up for the Lincolnshire Live newsletter click here
Plans for £2m Lincolnshire tip approved despite toxic waste fears
Take a look inside the Lincolnshire home bar voted second best in the country
Boris JohnsonCovid Plan B rules will be scrappedThe PM made a statement shortly after PMQs
Retford60 new homes set to be built on outskirts of townA 'number of new jobs' will be created
Lincoln couple to hide fudge across city to mark anniversary
North HykehamIt will mark the one year anniversary of their business
Spike in mental health calls among Lincs kids due to pandemic, health boss says
Lincolnshire County CouncilA report has been presented before councillors
'Too much' – Danny Cowley reveals John Marquis admission after Lincoln City transfer
Lincoln City FCThe former Imps boss was keen to move on one of his top earners to free up funds and has snapped up Tyler Walker on loan from Coventry
Covid Plan B rules will be scrapped