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.
Another cracking article that shows you what you can do if put your mind to it.