Salon & Training Academy Owner.
June 2015.
In school I achieved Standard Grade (SCQF level 5) in Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Modern Studies, Intermediate 2 (SCQF level 5) in English and Business Management and Higher (SCQF level 6) in Geography and Modern Studies.
Mrs Wilson was my pupil support teacher at school, she helped me with figuring out what I wanted to do & what made me happy. I was always more of a creative & less of an academic. Mrs Wilson was an amazing help to me & helped me realise that I didn’t have to go to university to be successful.
I’ve always had a supportive family too and they helped me to understand that I can do anything that I put my mind to & they were right!
While at school I started working part time in Debenhams in Stirling. I worked on the accessories counter & covered shifts on the beauty counter when i was needed. I left school and went full time here, I also applied to college for the HND in Makeup Artistry.
Unfortunately I was not accepted into the course & although this was disheartening I started to look into private courses. In 2016 got my Professional Makeup Artist Qualification and started working in a local salon.
After 1 year of salon experience I decided to take the plunge and open my own studio. I started out with renting a small studio space & expanded in 2020 to a warehouse before the pandemic hit.
In 2021 I went on to get my Educators Diploma to start my next dream of owning a Training Academy. This allows me to train likeminded creatives & beauty therapists in courses that I offer for them to go on and have a successful beauty business.
My business G&G Salon & Training Academy has won 2 awards at the Stirling & Falkirk Business Awards for ‘Best Beauty Treatments’ & ‘Best Makeup Artist’.
I’ve even had the pleasure of working alongside 3 of Stirling High Schools past students who have all gone on to become successful in their careers too.
As a beauty business owner, I've developed my communication skills by interacting with clients and staff members. Critical thinking has been developed by analyzing sales data and making strategic business decisions. I've collaborated with others in the industry to learn new techniques and share knowledge.
My creativity has been developed by experimenting with new makeup styles and product formulations. I'm curious about learning new things, so I stay up to date on trends and advancements in the beauty industry. These skills will help me in later life by allowing me to communicate effectively with clients and staff, make informed business decisions, work well with industry peers, come up with new and innovative beauty services, and continue to learn and grow my business. It's important to have a variety of skills, including leadership, communication, financial management, marketing, and problem-solving.
Leadership skills are important for managing staff and making strategic decisions for the business. Communication skills are necessary for interacting with clients, staff, and industry peers. Financial management skills are necessary for managing budgets, cash flow, and expenses. Marketing skills are necessary for promoting the business and attracting new clients. Finally, problem-solving skills are necessary for addressing challenges that arise in the business and finding solutions to them. These skills are essential for running a successful business.
Being the happiest version of yourself should be top priority.
I would tell myself to not be afraid of failure and to take more risks. I would also encourage myself to focus on personal growth and not to compare myself to others. It's important to find a balance between work life and personal life, Finally, I would advise myself to make sure I surround myself with positive and supportive people who will encourage me to be my best self. Having a close circle of supportive friends & family is key.
I would also advise younger pupils to explore their interests and passions, and to not be afraid to try new things. It's important to take advantage of opportunities to learn and gain experience, whether it's through volunteering, apprenticeships, or extracurricular activities. They should also research different career paths and industries to gain a better understanding of what they might be interested in pursuing. Finally, I would encourage them to set goals and work towards them, while also being open to new opportunities that may arise.
