It’s a piece of (birthday) cake…

As we approach Dovecote Beauty’s fourth birthday I felt the need to reflect. Reflect on how far my business has come and my work life journey leading to being self employed. How and why Dovecote Beauty was born so to speak.

I was 19 years old when I started my career in beauty therapy. I did work experience and weekend and evening work at a local spa, and then when I was fully qualified went on to work in spas in Gloucestershire. It was 2006 and the spa industry was booming. Spas were opening up left right and centre. The market was for upscale spas in the Cotswolds, this is where my love of spa work began. In my years working in spas I met and worked with some incredible people (some still friends to this day). Hotel spas really are a family in themselves. I’ve met celebrities and high profile clients, I’ve been featured in Tatler and worked for some very interesting people. All of which has given me a lot of experience, some good some bad, and wow have I had some strange experiences. (I could write a book)!

I worked my way up the ladder, starting as a spa therapist, senior therapist, head therapist, spa manager, assistant salon manager and tutor. That was when I thought right I’ve completed it. Total 360 and had a career change. It was tough, I missed being a therapist. It is my passion, it’s what I was meant to do. However, I will never regret the time I spent out of the industry, in this time I learnt how to run a business from a different perspective. I learned how to create a website, work in a different environment with totally different people and use my skill set in a new way. Transferable skills are a thing, if you ever want to switch careers do it!

2020 the pandemic came… I was made redundant after being furloughed. I was moving house with the opportunity to start on my own. So I did! As soon as Boris said we could open I opened. I created Dovecote Beauty with a little bit of savings, that was it.

So April 12th 2021 Dovecote Beauty opened its doors. It’s been four years! I’ve not moaned about my boss once… the other staff are great, and wow the atmosphere in the salon is amazing! It’s been a dream for a long time of mine to work for myself and thanks to every single one of my loyal and supportive clients I can do this.

I would really like to take this opportunity to thank every single client that has been to Dovecote Beauty. Every one of you that has told a friend or family member about me. Anyone that has trusted me to recommend a product off my shelves and loved it. Anyone that has been with me since the beginning, and there are a few of you. Thank you. You are the reason I don’t dread Mondays. I’m literally living the dream, I do a job I love and get to chat to amazing people all day, whilst working around my children with total flexibility. I know there aren’t many people that can say that.

Dovecote Beauty is even up for a Hair and Beauty award this year for best home salon. I am currently a finalist, and in the top 50 home salons in the UK and in August the judges will decide the winner. Keep everything crossed!

So here’s to 4 years! 4 years of passion, determination and endless possibilities.

Laura