Durham mum opens mobile beauty treatment business

Mar 15 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A YOUNG mother has opened up a true family business and is bringing a bit of London glamour to a County Durham village.

Sharon Cole, 21, opened a mobile beauty treatment business in Ferryhill after being inspired by the upmarket salons she saw in London before she moved back home to the North East.

And now she has opened Amore Nails and Beauty – a nail and beauty bar that offers everything a girl could wish for, from spray tans, waxing, manicures and pedicures to full body massages, teeth whitening and Botox.

She was helped with the opening of her salon, where she now works with her mother, aunt and niece, with advice from Be Enterprising group.

Sharon said: “I had always wanted to open a salon of my own, but never thought it would be possible. That was until I saw an article about two young ladies opening a hair and beauty parlor in Spennymoor with the help of Be Enterprising. And, after approaching Be Enterprising and drawing up a business plan, I could see that my dream was possible too.”

Be Enterprising is Durham County Council’s LEGI programme, supported by funding from Government and the EU to inspire enterprise in the unemployment hotspots of County Durham.

Andrew Watsford, Sharon’s Be Enterprising coach, said: “We were happy to help Sharon get the advice and funding she needed to secure her own premises.

“She had a track record of enterprising qualities from such a young age. You could tell she knew what she wanted and had fire in her eyes.

“It’s fantastic that Amore is really taking off and needs so many hands to help run it.”

Sharon said: “The advice and help I received from Andrew was fantastic and it really helped me to push my own limits. I was also given great advice on marketing – something I knew nothing about.

“I received a grant which helped towards the initial set-up of the business – buying stock, marketing and getting an impressive shop front.”