Do Your Own Thing: Barbara

Name: Barbara Turnbull 

Business: Shyloks Beauty

How did you first develop a passion for what you do?

I developed my passion for beauty as a young girl. I loved painting nails and playing with make up. Family and friends always thought I had a talent and encouraged me to study beauty therapy at college.

What were you doing before?

During college, I worked at Pizza Hut as a waitress. I also worked in a salon during college for work experience. Once qualified with NVQ level 2, my friend offered me a job at her salon for a couple of days per week, which worked perfect as I had a baby boy. This helped me to provide for my family and also keep doing a job that I loved.

What gave you the courage to step out and do your own thing and what have been some of the struggles along the way?

I worked for my friend for a few years and also went back to college to achieve my NVQ level 3 qualification. This was difficult: working more hours, going to night school, having course work to do and also juggling being pregnant with my second child and being a mother too. Once I was qualified, my friend who I worked for became pregnant herself and she decided to leave the salon once her baby arrived. She offered me first refusal to take over her business. I couldn’t believe it. It was so exciting and so scary at the same time. I’ve owned the salon for 10 years now. How time flies! It’s just a joy to do something you have such passion for and having the chance to make a living out of it is just amazing.

What do you love about what you do?

The thing I love most about my job is the clients that come into the salon and the relationship I’ve built with them -just listening to the things that go on in their lives whether it be good or bad and making them feel good about themselves while having their treatments. I love to see a bride smile when she sees her wedding make up for the first time and being a part of the preparation of her wedding day. I can honestly say I’m truly blessed as I am doing my dream job that’s just perfect for me.

What’s made you feel proud of what you’ve achieved?

I am so proud of what I’ve achieved since leaving school. I found all of the practical side of becoming a beauty therapist really easy and enjoyable. However, the theory side of things I really struggled with. I’m not that academically clever. There was a lot to learn about the anatomy: layers of the skin, muscles in the body, the skeletal system, lymphatic drainage system etc. We also needed to know all the contraindications to each treatment. It took me a little longer to manage to complete this but I did it. I’m also so proud of the fact that my business is still going strong since I took over 10 years ago.

What would you say to another woman contemplating doing her own thing?

Believe in yourself,. Just try and see what happens. Have faith, take a chance and never look back. Don’t be scared to fail. You never know what’s possible unless you give it your all.