ULTA Beauty is doing all it can right now to drum up sales for Mother’s Day 2020, from gift sets, to eyeshadow and moisturizer. It’s using a hashtag called #SeeBeautifulToday and updating its FAQ pages on why shipping might be much slower than usual right now. The company’s CEO Mary Dillon posts new messages to keep customers informed.
While its web designers and social media team may be busy, former store employees from its flagship Reno store at the Summit, such as UNR student Hannah Abbott, wait to get rehired.
Initially, when Nevada’s shutdown first began in mid-March, employees at ULTA’s Reno stores were told by management that they would be paid part of their wages, but then when the CARES Act came through, they were told to file for unemployment and other available emergency benefits instead.
Abbott was confused at first on how to apply, but she says even though she wasn’t getting paid anymore, management helped her figure out how to apply for government money.
“My managers send me lots of updates and well wishes. I’m lucky to have a work family that cares about each other on more than just a professional level,” she said. “They have been nothing but supportive and have offered us help with applying for unemployment and figuring out where to go from there.”
Hannah Abbott lives with three other roommates in Reno, at the YOUnion student living, while still going to school. Each individual pays a certain amount based on their room and other amenities. She says she pays on average $770 every month.
“Paying for rent has been tough, but as of right now I am able to keep paying for my bills from the income I’m getting through unemployment by saving as much as I can and making sure I meet my due dates,” she said.
Abbott is trying to finish her semester with new challenges of online teaching and testing, and is just taking it day by day, uncertain of what the future holds, but trying to survive, and hoping that her job with ULTA will be there for her when Nevada reopens for business, whenever that might be.