A young entrepreneur from Torfaen, who battled depression to set up her own business, is now finding success as a mobile beautician.
Emma Coslett, 20, from Pontypool was diagnosed with depression, stress-related alopecia and anxiety after dropping out of school aged 16.
Determined not to let her condition hold her back, she undertook a customer service training scheme designed to improve employment opportunities through workplace-based learning. It was while carrying out a placement at a salon, and seeing the beauticians at work, that she decided to pursue a beauty career of her own.
After gaining a number of professional beauty qualifications, Ms Coslett was put in touch with the Welsh Governments Business Start up Service contractor Centre for Business. She undertook a series of workshops, during which she learnt key skills such as finance management, and was paired with a dedicated business advisor, who supported her while she got her business off the ground.
Trading under the name Beauty by Emma, Ms Coslett is a full member of the Guild of Beauty Therapists and offers all the services of a modern beautician including spray tans, waxing and nail treatments. Her reputation has spread locally by word of mouth and via Facebook, and she is now maintaining a healthy list of clients.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:”I am pleased that our Business Start-Up Service is playing a key role in supporting a wide range of new businesses across Wales. The creation of new businesses is more important than ever to create jobs during these challenging economic conditions while self employment can offer an important route out of economic activity.
“The Welsh Government is investing £17m over a three year period with the aim of establishing 2000 new businesses and I am delighted it has helped Emma to start her own venture and wish her every success for the future.”
Ms Coslett explains: “There was a lot of pressure on me to go to sixth form and do well academically, but I knew deep down it wasn’t for me. I started feeling depressed and had to drop out after only a few weeks but I was still determined to make something of myself.
“From the beginning I knew I wanted to work for myself and have my own business, but I didn’t really know where to start. I got in touch with the Welsh Governments Business Start up contractor Centre for Business and, as well as teaching me essential skills, my business adviser helped me to set a deadline to get the business up and running. This really helped me to focus my time and energy, and I haven’t looked back since.”
She added:““The whole experience has been fantastic. Business is doing really well and in the future I would like to offer my own beauty courses and train up an apprentice.
To find out more about the Welsh Government’s Business Start Up Service please visit www.business.wales,.gov.uk