By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 16:58, Friday, 03 December 2010

A Carlisle teenager has become one of the city’s youngest entrepreneurs after opening her dream business aged just 18.

Emily Hudson-Harris

Emily Hudson-Harris has invested her life savings and huge amounts of drive and determination, into Miss Beautique, a beauty salon on Port Road.

The business offers all the latest treatments, including creative nails, tanning, waxing, electrolysis and lash extensions.

And the former Austin Friars pupil is in no doubt about the dedication needed to run her own business, having been brought up by members of one of the city’s best-known family firms.

Her mother and father, Bruce Harris and Mary Hudson-Harris, run George Hudson & Sons Funeral Directors.

But Emily, of Wigton Road, says she has not relied on handouts to get her venture off the ground.

“It’s all my own money,” she says. “I have always been a good saver, I’ve never wasted my money so I was able to fund this myself.

“I have wanted to be a beautician for as long as I can remember.

“There is a video of me when I was about six and someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up and I say straight away: ‘A beautician’.

“I have always been a girly girl, I was always into make-up and dressing up.

“Being a beautician is very rewarding as well; people feel so much happier after they’ve seen you for a treatment.

“I have always thought about running my own business; the family business was always a part of my life growing up, so I have seen how enjoyable it can be and the amount of hard work you must put in.

“I never thought it would happen so soon though.”

The family firm has even given her an interesting sideline for the business.

“I do the nails, make-up and hair for some of the funeral directors’ clients,” she says

“It doesn’t bother me, working with dead bodies, I’m used to it. It is also very rewarding; it is the last time people will see their loved-ones so, it is important they look as nice as possible.”

After leaving school, Emily moved to Bolton to study beauty. While training, she worked for Aileen Williams, owner of Carlisle’s DreamsDay Spa, at her hair and beauty salon on Port Road.

And she must have been impressed, because she offered her pupil the lease on the first floor of the building. “I said ‘no’ at first,” admits Emily.

“But then I went back to Bolton and thought about it and decided: ‘Why not?’

“I might never get the same opportunity again and I might have regretted turning it down.

“My mum wasn’t sure, but everyone has supported me and I am convinced now more than ever that I did the right thing.

“The main thing with the beauty industry is keeping up with all the latest technologies and products.

“You have to be ahead of the game and have all the latest stuff because that’s what people expect.

“I have invested a lot of money in things like the electrolysis machine and I have two treatment rooms that are really comfortable.

“I did think about the recession, but it didn’t put me off really.

“I know I am good at what I do and I am willing to put in the hard work to succeed.

“Some people might be put off by my age and might not trust an 18-year-old, but I am prepared to prove to people I am as good as anyone.

“You have to gain people’s trust and build up a customer base; you are a therapist, a social worker and a shoulder to cry on at times; it is amazing what people tell you.

“I am hoping to grow the business and maybe take on staff, but at the moment I am just focused on being as successful as I can be.

“I think I’m in a good location. People don’t always want to go into town to go to a salon, because they feel that they have to put make-up on and get dressed up a bit, then get a bus or find a parking space.

“Here, they can just jump in the car and jump out when they get here.

“I’ve got the hospital nearby and McVities, where lots of people work, so that should help.

“I am offering people who work for the NHS or McVities a discount if they show ID.

“I think the men’s market is growing as well.

“A lot more men are interested in their appearance. I think they see their girlfriends or wives looking pretty and think they need to smarten themselves up as well, especially for summer holidays.”

The business also offers ‘Beautilicious Princess Parties’ for five to 10-year-olds and a ‘Pamper Teen Party’ service for teenagers.

“I did loads of research before I launched and I wanted the name to be something really memorable and unique,” adds Emily.

“As far as I know, this is the only Miss Beautique in the world.”

First published at 14:21, Friday, 03 December 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk