Emma has built up ‘beauty empire’

A SALON owner who started her business from a room in a house with only a handful of clients a month now treats up to 30 a day in her ‘homely’ premises.
Vanilla Pod Beauty team SUS-141208-095812001Vanilla Pod Beauty team SUS-141208-095812001
Vanilla Pod Beauty team SUS-141208-095812001

Emma Hopper, 25, of Vanilla Pod Beauty, in Littlehampton Road, Worthing, struggled to break even before moving into her salon.

But such is her growth and approval of her clients, she has been nominated in the small business category of this year’s Adur and Worthing Business Awards.

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She said: “This is the first time I have been nominated and it’s very overwhelming. It was a shock.

“It makes it really worthwhile when you get recognition. People have taken time out of their days to fill in a form.”

Emma’s business journey started as a child, with her dream to open a spa.

A few years ago, she set up her own salon by renting a room in a house and also doing mobile beauty but it was tough going, struggling to make ends meet.

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Last year she opened in her own purpose-built building –’The Annexe’ – and heavy promotion and hard graft finally reaped rewards.

She said: “I think my success was down to a mixture of things.

“I wanted to do it right. I wanted the salon to feel homely and comfortable but professional at the same time.

“I worked really hard and advertised more, too.”

Emma said winning the award would be the icing on the cake and would prove to her small team that hard work pays off.

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She said: “I hope we win as it would make my day. I’m doing it for the love of the job and because I enjoy it.

“I always tell my staff if you put the effort in, you will get something out. Hopefully they will think I’m right if we do win.”

Testimonials and nominations flooded in for Emma’s business.

Kate Knight said: “I have known Emma for three years and have seen her grow her business from mobile beauty to what is has become today, – a beauty empire.

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“Through sheer hard work, sweat and tears she has created a place I visit on a weekly basis.”

Megan Pierce added: “They are always very professional yet friendly and are always there to make you feel very good about yourself.

“It’s the perfect place to go for a pick me up.”

Nominations have opened across 15 categories, from green business to business personality, with prizes to be presented at Worthing Pavilion on November 14.

For more details, visit www.jpsouthevents.co.uk/events/event/adur-worthing-business-awards

To sponsor an award, contact Jeanette Hockley at [email protected]

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