Avid
beauty fans will already know this, but the British Beauty Business is a
huge success, and is on the march. Millie Kendall MBE, as CEO of the
British Beauty Council, heads up an organisation which represents the
industry with integrity, enthusiasm and experience. The Council
produces The Value Of Beauty, which reports back on the industry’s value,
is so proud that it is now worth upwards of £27 billion a year, making
it a bigger earner than our car industry, and employing 600,000 people.
Millie Kendall MBE
Millie and
her team represent everyone within the industry, from big players to new entrants
and the Council has devised what it calls its three pillars; of reputation,
innovation and education. One thing Millie has talked about is young
entrepreneurs and beauty workers and how they should be encouraged and
supported. So after looking at the bigger picture, we sat down for a chat with Natalya
Kelly, who has set up Beauty By Natalya, after leaving college. Here’s what
she had to say…
Natalya,
you’ve just set up your own beauty business. Is this something you have always
wanted to do?
Yes! I have
grown up in and around the beauty industry and it is something I have always
wanted to be a part of. For me, it’s not just a business - it’s also about
helping people look and feel their best, too. I was brought up to work hard and
put 100 per cent into everything, but also to follow my heart. So with my new
business, Beauty By Natalya, I get the best of both worlds. The beauty
industry has changed so much as I have been growing up - it is such a busy
market but there is always a place for talented and hard working people.
What are you
specialising in?
Fake Bake
tans, of
course, are a part of my work. I am just starting off right now so apart from
tanning, nails and lashes are something I am concentrating on at the
moment as I am new to the industry, and they are things I love personally, too!
I am a real perfectionist, so I want anyone who visits me to go away feeling
fabulous. Every client is different: some will want a statement tan, for
example, and another person will want something subtle. The key is to listen and
ask questions, and work from there. It is also important to me that my work
space is immaculate and relaxing. People come to see me to get pampered and
expect results at the same time - it’s all about being professional.
Who do you
admire in the beauty business world?
My mum is a
beauty entrepreneur and her own mum, my late grandmother, was a business-minded person so
of course I have to say my inspiration started at home. Within my family, I am
surrounded by strong, self-made women and that’s how I have been brought
up. In this industry, I am going to have to earn my own place although they
support and encourage me hugely. In the industry, it’s hard not to notice the Kardashians
and Jenners - they have taken an opportunity and run with it! But I really admire
home grown beauty business successes like Jade Elliott, founder of Iconic,
which is such an aspirational brand and one which is so popular. She just
understands what women want from their beauty products. She started her
business from her bedroom - now, I can relate to that!
It can feel
a bit scary working for yourself - any tips for anyone younger out there?
It is a risk to
start out on your own instead of working for someone else but doing it while
you are young is brilliant! You need as much support as you can get from family
and friends, and it is vital to be well trained and really confident in what
you are doing, and also see what is available to you - organisations like The
Princes Trust are amazing. My advice would be - just go for it!
How do
social media platforms like Insta help with a new business?
Social media
gets a bad reputation but if you are a young Girl Boss, it’s a valuable
way of promoting your work - and free, obviously! Back in the day, new salons
or brands would have to rely on traditional advertising or posting leaflets,
but now you can reach people really quickly and simply via your phone. It’s
something I am learning about myself as I go along. Insta helps you connect
with other users in your niche, and you can make your ‘brand’ more visible
using hashtags. It enables you to upgrade your opportunities to attract
followers and increase your engagement. Insta stories has also been great for
me - my clients also tag me in their stories and that shows off my work to
potential clients. It’s a win-win!
Could you
tell us about your beauty future dreams and plans?
I am starting
off small and living in the moment, but always have an eye on where I am going.
In this industry, you have to keep learning and educating yourself because clients
expect up-to-the-minute services, treatments and techniques. My mum
started off from a similar angle to me and has been a huge success, and luckily
for me I get to learn from that experience - and I also see how hard she
continues to work! Ultimately, I would like to learn more skills and expand
what I am doing. Would I like my own beauty brand one day? That would be my
ultimate goal, and I know it’s going to take a lot of dedication to get there.
But for now I am concentrating on Beauty By Natalya, and giving that my
focus and dedication. Start small, dream big - I think that’s a great way to
start being your own Girl Boss!
We left our
meeting with Natalya feeling inspired ourselves, and we feel the future of the
beauty business is safe in the hands of Girl Bosses just like our Nat.
Sometimes you have to determine your own future.
Start from
wherever you are, but always look up to the stars. That’s where you are
heading, baby…
To find out more about training with Fake Bake call
03448 565758
Find Natalya on Insta @beautyybynatalyax
For more info on Millie Kendall and her work go to www.britishbeautycouncil.com and follow her on Insta
@milliekendall
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