Our healthy looking winner
INNOVATIVE beautician Louise Bell is the new face of entrepreneurship in the Tees Valley.
The Ingleby Barwick-based 36-year-old, pictured, was crowned champion of this year’s nebusiness-backed If We Can, You Can campaign.
Her home spray tanning firm Healthy Glow helped Louise narrowly beat fellow finalist Mark Easby, who runs creative design business Better Brand Agency in Stokesley. More than 3,000 votes from members of the public flooded in as nebusiness followed the two finalists on the final leg of their journey, which had previously seen them win through in a tough, Dragon’s Den-style interview with leading local business chiefs.
Louise claims a unique prize package, including “money can’t buy” mentoring, £5,000 worth of business services and a business gadget.
Originally from Dorset, the qualified spray tan trainer said she was “amazed and delighted” at the award win.
“I’m slowly coming back down to earth,” she said. “Maybe I won because the concept is something a bit different.”
Healthy Glow takes tanning into the home, giving women an alternative to the traditional salon. Following the tried and tested “party” format pioneered by Tuppaware, it’s taken off on Teesside as women of all ages book for a girly evening during which they are transformed from pale Northerners to golden beach beauties. Now Louise plans to transform her idea into a national franchise and target specific groups, including wedding organisers and dance and theatre groups.
She has already taken more than £15,000 in orders since launching the business in November - more than triple her start-up costs.
For a full list of finalists and their stories, go to www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk See also next week’s nebusiness supplement.
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