Business idea is a beauty

Nov 10 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A FEMALE entrepreneur decided to launch her own business after taking a break from work to start her own family.

Mum of two Louise Brass, 33, bought her own tanning shop earlier this year and has grown and developed it into a beauty salon.

Ultra Tan and Beauty, which is located on Friar Street in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, offers treatments such as manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, eyelash treatments, waxing, teeth whitening, massages and spray tans.

It was after taking time out to start a family that Louise decided that she wanted to run her own business. After buying the tanning shop she had grand ideas, but needed support to help her reach her goals. Louise went to Business Link and was pointed in the direction of Be Enterprising.

She said: “I went to Be Enterprising at the beginning of August this year to see if I qualified for funding.

“I was awarded a grant that helped me pay towards extending the shop and creating the space to add a beauty room.

“By adding the beauty room it has allowed me to offer tanning as well as all different kinds of beauty treatments.”

Steve Souter, Louise’s Be Enterprising coach said: “Be Enterprising is committed to helping people in County Durham start their own business and encouraging enterprise. There are so many benefits to running your own business; it can be a great way into flexible working, especially for parents with young children or those caring for family members.

“Louise came to us with a business already under her belt, but she needed extra funding to create more space so that she could develop her business. We were happy to assist her and wish her all the success for the future.”