Shane Lynch is a true jack of all trades, from super-stardom in Boyzone to dabbling in motor sport, acting, reality television as well as being a family man and Pentecostal born-again Christian.
Additionally, he has also become businessman, with his companies including Prohibition-inspired barbershop chain The Elk & Clipper, an Irish bar in Cheshire called D13 and footwear company Amen Shoes.
However, most recently, Shane alongside his wife Sheena - star of reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Cheshire - opened their brand-new perfume store under the Amen brand.
The Amen Inspired Fragrances perfume shop opened at the Tower Centre in Ballymena. The store stocks a range of designer dupe perfumes inspired by fragrances from the likes of Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Tom Ford – the main difference? No hefty price tag, as the Heaven Scent range retails at around £20.
“I tend to love really expensive perfumes,” Sheena explains.
“My favourite would probably cost about £280 a bottle, which then means I use them really sparingly.
“So when I saw these ‘inspired by fragrances’ coming along it looked like a great idea but my problem was a lot of those perfumes are online only.
“I prefer to go somewhere where I can physically go in and see and smell these perfumes which I think is what sets our brand a part because you can come in and experience it, which for me is key.”
We never actually packed any smellies so at the moment when we’re meeting people, they’re asking what we smell like, and we have to say, ‘Nothing – we smell of nothing...’
— Shane Lynch
Ironically, despite flying over to Belfast to help promote their brand, the husband and wife duo admit that they forgot to pack their own favourite signature scents.
“There was a bit of an oversight,” Shane confesses.
“We never actually packed any smellies so at the moment when we’re meeting people, they’re asking what we smell like, and we have to say, ‘Nothing – we smell of nothing...’”
This is not Shane’s first foray into the world of fragrances as in 2013 he released ‘Lynch’, a perfume for men.
“I’ve had my own brand of perfume in the past so there was some experience there and it felt like a good next step in terms of expanding the Amen umbrella,” he says.
“But I think the opportunity primarily came about through myself and Sheena both having an interest in perfume and joining some dots together.”
The couple have worked together on various projects including their Irish Bar D13 and their high-end performance car business Assetti.
“It’s been great so far,” says Sheena.
They’re good eggs over here, people are really supportive and it’s just a nice environment – why wouldn’t you want to do business here?
— Sheena Lynch
“There are some avenues within our businesses that I don’t get fully involved with and others that I do so we do get a break we aren’t constantly working together.
“Shane goes off and does different projects, I go and do different projects, but it’s always nice when we can come together.”
Although their visit to Belfast was primarily a business trip the couple have been able to make the most of it and turn it into a half-term holiday bringing along their daughters, Billie Rae (15) and Marley Mae (11). Striking an effective work-life balance is important to them.
“I think we have an influx of loads of things going on at the same time and then all of a sudden everything is calm,” explains Shane.
“Which is weird because we’ve got that much going on it just seems to get really intense for a bit and then everything calms down and you’ve got loads of free time.”
Sheena adds: “Sometimes it balances itself out as well though.
“I’ll be shooting the show which means I’m not at home, but Shane will be there looking after and sorting out the kids and then he’ll go off and do his rally driving and then I’ll be at home so we’re very lucky like that.”
The couple are no strangers to Belfast, with Shane visiting many times during his Boyzone days and Sheena making similar trips when she used to perform as a backing singer for the likes of Westlife, Blur and Ms Dynamite.
Shane explains that is reason for wanting to open the perfume store in Northern Ireland is because “stuff gets done here”.
“The reliability is always fantastic, and our business partners are just great at making things happen.”
For Sheena, it’s the people.
“They’re good eggs over here, people are really supportive and it’s just a nice environment – why wouldn’t you want to do business here?”
The pair are looking forward to expanding the Amen brand in the not-too-distant future.
“We hope to roll out a few more stores this side of Christmas over here in the north and then into the UK for 2025.” says Shane.
“So come in and smell them, even if you don’t end up buying anything come and enjoy the store because even just visually the store will make you go, ‘What is this place?’ It’s really different and we’re super excited about it.”
