Salon is on to a beauty

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 17, 2008

AN ENTREPRENEUR from Ashington is celebrating the completion of the final phase of his beauty salon, LiVit, after adding to the range of beauty services on offer.

Since its transformation from bookmakers to a one-stop beauty shop in July last year, owner Rod Thirtle has been busy putting the finishing touches of his salon together by hiring the latest high-pressure tanning bed - the only one in Northumberland - and employing a hair stylist to expand his team of beauty professionals to five.

Rod, who decided to start the company after gaining several years of management experience while working for large companies in Manchester, said: "Having always dreamed of starting my own business, I took the chance after discovering a gap in the market for beauty treatments.

"Although it's stressful being in the salon seven days a week, I enjoy meeting and greeting the customers on a personal level, as well as knowing that I am contributing to their wellbeing.

"My business growth mentor, Steve Peart, has assisted me every step of the way in the process of setting up my business.

"It has been great having someone to sit down with and talk things through and I have benefited a great deal from his marketing and financial support.

"I particularly find the fact he has been in business himself a benefit.

"He understands the stresses business start-ups face."

Steve Peart, from Northumberland Business Service, manages The Business Growth Mentor project and works closely with Northumberland Strategic Partnership.

They support the growth of business in Northumberland through the Enterprising Northumberland Campaign, which encourages business start-ups and an enterprising culture throughout the county.

He said: "It is fantastic to see all Rod's hard work and dedication starting to pay off.

"LiVit is fully open and looking great.

"Expanding his services and beautician team so early into starting the business shows Rod's determination to succeed and this bodes really well for him achieving his aim of developing chains across the North East in the future."

The Business Growth Mentor project is funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, managed by Wansbeck Initiative and delivered by Northumberland Business Services Ltd.

CAPTION(S):

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY - Rod Thirtle, left, with his business growth mentor Steve Peart, watching a nail technician at work