Bow Visage

Redundancy provided Carly Evans with just the kick-start she needed to follow her dream of running her own beauty therapy business.

Carly, aged 25, from Croydon, was told in January that her role in the banking sector was being made redundant. Exactly six months later, she finds herself established at the helm of her own popular beauty therapy business based inside Debenhams in Croydon High Street.

"Redundancy was a positive thing for me, because it gave me a chance to follow my dream," said Carly.

Carly, a Coloma Convent  graduate, originally studied graphic design at Surrey Institute of Art and Design before deciding it wasn't the right career for her, and in her own words 'fell into' a job in the banking sector.  Two years ago she attended a free 'taster workshop' in beauty therapy offered by CALAT and decided she would start studying beauty therapy as part of her long term goal.

"I was amazed by the amount of skills training and free help available," said Carly, who spent her evenings and weekends for the next year and half gaining beauty therapy qualifications with CALAT as part of a Croydon Enterprise funded training scheme.

And Croydon Enterprise was there for her again when she decided to set up her own business. It provided her with her own dedicated business adviser and a free accountancy advice session which helped her sort out everything from the paperwork she needed to set up her business to areas such as PAYE and tax returns.

Carly continued to work on her business plan while serving out her notice at her employer.  By April she had set up her company, Bow Visage, negotiated a deal with Debenhams to take over an empty consultation room for her business. She developed marketing material, a website, and secured a deal with exclusive Italian beauty company Dibi Skin Care.

On leaving her job in July, she went full-time at her salon. Saturday mornings are already so busy, she is considering taking on a member of staff to help.

"I'd always wanted to run my own beauty therapy business and redundancy gave me just the push I needed," said Carly. "I've always believed that if you want something enough and are prepared to work for it, you will succeed.

"And I have been so impressed by the all the help I've received. I'd recommend it to anyone."

Carly's support from Croydon Enterprise forms part of Croydon's Economic Recovery Plan, which aims to help individuals and businesses survive the recession, with the new Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC) leading on the activity. More information on the plan can be found at www.croydoncrunch.org.

For information on the Croydon Enterprise programme, contact the Business Support Hotline on 020 8680 6161 or visit www.croydonenterprise.com.

Bow Visage trades from the Beauty Room at Debenhams. Bookings can be made by calling  07950 673235 or via the website www.bowvisage.com.