Entrepreneur is now thinking big

Jun 5 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

A TWENTY-year-old Yarm entrepreneur, who is expanding her businesses just six months after opening, is typical of the spirit of enterprise on Teesside which is highlighted by this weekend's If We Can, You Can challenge final.

Sarah McConnell, who launched Re:nu beauty salon in November, has added a hairdressing arm and moved to larger premises on the town’s high street. The new premises - more than four times the size of her previous salon - will put her in the shop window for more business, said Ms McConnell.

“Previously I was in a box room above a hair salon between Eaglescliffe and Yarm. There were a lot of people who didn’t know who I was.”

The move has created one full-time hairdressing post and additional services include eyelash extensions, spray tanning and botox treatments. More than 50% of her business comes from repeat custom.

Sarah, who has had a passion for beauty therapy “since the age of 12 or 13”, started her new venture just 18 months after completing an apprenticeship with what could now be regarded as one of her rivals, Yarm-based Affinity.

With two staff already, she now plans to take on an apprentice and build the brand by opening other sites across Tees Valley.

Meanwhile, time is running out to vote for Teesside’s two finalists in the If We Can You Can Challenge, organised by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and backed by nebusiness.

Louise Bell, 36, from Stockton, who set up Healthy Glow - a home spray tanning business - is battling it out with Mark Easby, 31, from Middlesbrough, who runs creative design business, Better Brand Agency.

Their stories can be followed, along with those of more than 300 other business starters, including previous Teesside winner of the challenge, Matt Stirland of Guisborough, at www.ifwecanyoucan. co.uk

Readers can use the site to vote for their favourite entrepreneur until midnight on Sunday. They can also text 'megaz' followed by a space and the full name of the selected finalist to 07624 803 199 or by e-mailing voting@entrepreneursforum.net with the full name of their chosen winner.

The winner will be announced on June 11.