Teresa is 26 years old and has a 17 month old daughter. When she left school, Teresa studied Childcare at College before going on to gain a degree from the University of Cumbria in Working with Children, Young People and Families.

A passion for the beauty industry was always bubbling away under the surface, Teresa has always done hair and make-up for friends and family on weekends, for weddings and other occasions.

On maternity leave from her job at a nursery, it became clear to Teresa over time that she didn’t want to return to the nursery which would mean leaving her daughter and missing a number of key milestones. The first step to starting her own business saw Teresa offering hair styling and make-up on weekends again, this started to become very popular. After talking to her partner and family, Teresa decided to train in other aspects of beauty while still on maternity leave.

Teresa passed a make-up course and trained in classic, Russian and hybrid lashes. When people started to visit for lashes, make-up and hair styling they would ask for eyebrow tints and waxing. To meet that demand Teresa completed and passed a waxing course.

At that point Teresa realised she didn’t need to return to the nursery and work full-time, as much as she loved her job and enjoyed seeing the children learn, develop and grow, Teresa felt it was no longer right for her. Gaining new qualifications in beauty, being able to choose her own working hours and days was perfect and ideal for a first time mum.

Customers started to ask for other services such as eyebrow laminations, lash lifts and nails. After just a few weeks Teresa applied for a course in eyebrow lamination/lash lifts and in no time passed. Nails however, was something so many people wanted but being unsure of the cost of the course, Teresa applied to the Employability Fund through the Help into Mentoring programme and was successful in her application to have the course costs covered.

Teresa was able to undertake training for gel nails, biab nails and gel extension nails with Glitterbells. She studied 6 different modules each with a theory test and completed one final exam in which you had to score 95% to pass. Following the theory was a practical with the full kit being delivered for the practical training days Teresa would attend – Teresa passed.

Being able to offer nails gives Teresa the ability to generate additional revenue and shows Teresa listens to her customers and offers services they ask for. Tersea can build up her business and take on new customers. Teresa uses hema-free products which are not harsh for the natural nail and has over 100 colours for her customers to choose from. Teresa also offer nail art allowing customers to choose and create their own designs.