I started a side hustle in my backyard and it went so well I quit my £40k job – it’s so much better than office work

Lucy Fox went viral after showing off her backyard shed that she turned into a beauty salon.

In his TikTok video, posted to his account @lucyslife303the manicurist explains how she quit her full-time job, which paid her just under £40,000 a year.

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The former leasing director says she is much happier with what she is doing now and in just six months has built a clientele that keeps her afloat.

However, when asked if she earned what she did before, she says she still hasn’t been able to match her previous income, even though she works the same hours as before.

Lucy says she “didn’t do it” to match her previous salary.

“The funny thing is, I didn’t expect this to become my full-time job,” she told Fabulous exclusively.

“But a year after opening my business, I now have a nearly full client base and am working from my own salon at home.”

She goes on to describe what a normal work day is now like for her.

“[I] come to my garden, prepare my shed and spend the day with some amazing women.

“Instead of sitting in traffic and spending the whole day at The officeWith people, yes, I liked it, but this I have to say is much better.”

The clips show Hythe’s beauty expert vacuuming and cleaning her nail bed and her kitchen.

She notes that her bar full of soft drinks, tea and coffee is free and her customers love it.

“A little over a year ago I was working in my guest room and spending three hours to do a series of nails,” she continues.

“It’s mental to think that in just over a year your whole life could completely change.

She then explains how she brought her workspace, which cost £10,000 to transform, to life.

“I spent six months creating everything in this shed and I’m so happy it’s all finally sorted out,” said Lucy.

“And all my clients love being in the space, they love the free drinks.

“And most of all, I get to do work I love every day, in a space where I feel inspired and relaxed.”

Lucy said that after six years in her previous job, she “threw caution aside” and decided to pay for a three-day nail technician course at Brighton-based The Gel Bottle.

“I always liked doing my own nails, it was a really fun experience,” she added.

“I didn’t have confidence that I would be any good at it if I ever trained professionally.

“During this time I was a leasing officer for six years and knew I needed a change.

“I wanted to have freedom and be able to be my own boss and also spend more time at home with my dogs!”

She says what she loves most about her job is learning the life stories of the “incredible women” she meets.

“I love being a cheerleader for each of my clients in their lives and their goals. And, of course, offering some of the best nails by the sea.

I have great passion for providing perfect nails and ensuring my clients are comfortable and have everything they need

Lucy Fox

“I love being able to tailor my own service to clients, I am passionate about providing perfect nails and ensuring my clients feel comfortable and have everything they need during their appointment.

“I love spending time following nail trends through Tik Tok and having my clients let me try them out!

“However it may be, I would say go for it and give it everything you have,” she says as she begins her journey into nail technology.

“It’s no secret that running your own business can be a 24/7 job, but that’s what motivated me the most.

“All the long hours, challenges and trials have made me a better person and a better nail technician. You definitely get what you put in.”

She says it’s not all fun and games: “The hard part [of starting out] it’s welcoming clients and working on all the skills you’ve learned in a real-life environment.”

She continues: “My income goes up and down depending on how many hours I work and the business costs I have each month, which always fluctuate.

“I would say I’m earning less than I did at my previous job, but I’ve just reached a nearly full client base and hope to match my old earnings in the near future.