How it all started

I started my business in 2012. I had young children and I wanted a job that was flexible to work around. I attended a council based beauty course which covered incite into a few different treatments. I took an acrylic nail course that was home-based. I struggled to find class courses at the time as I was going to be completely new to the industry. I did this course over 7 months before sending in for my exam. Sadly, I failed it on the practical but they sent it back with feedback which I then rectified what the issues were and I passed. I went onto work from home and mobile quite quickly building up experience. I managed to get into a hair salon that had only been up and running for 6 months. I negotiated on a percentage term for a small section in their salon hallway. After about a year, I came across a lash extensions video on YouTube. I loved how fiddly it all looked and I knew I wanted to do it. I took a class based course in the warehouse with group of others. It included, strip lashes, party lashes, express lashes and even adding gem stones and feathers to the lashes. After that, I did a classic 1.1 lash course. It was a lot to take in and my hands shook whilst I was working on another class mate. Again I started working on clients straight away, it took me longer to do a set than it does now but that was all laying down the groundwork for where I am now. After a few year’s I moved to a brand new salon where I agreed to pay a fixed amount per week for a space for nails and a space to do the lashes and waxing. Most of my clientele from the previous salon came with me. Here, I continued to build up clientele. I did other courses in this time. Russian, volume, lash perm, brow lamination, henna. I decided that now was the right time to do my Award in Education and Training. After 5 years at that salon, I was offered a good sized private space with its own entrance at another hair salon. Of course I jumped at it. Here, I am now able to offer the training in the treatments I love most. At all of these salons, I have been my own boss building up my business and working the hours I choose. Starting a career in beauty can give you the flexibility to do the same. You also have the choice to work for a salon if that’s what you prefer. Either way, the choice can be yours too.

All treatments take time, practice and patience to master but once you do, it’s worth it.

You also make a lot of friends in the process.