A former Wood Green School pupil is living proof that beauty and brains are the ingredients for success, after setting up her own business in Minster Lovell.
Sophie Alexandra Wiesztort, 18, is launching her business, Sophie Alexandra Beauty, on October 8 with a party attended by the mayor of Witney, Councillor Harry Eaglestone.
Sophie said that after attending the Oxford College of International Beauty, she felt she had the confidence to pursue her ambition of opening her own business. “I used to work in a salon in Witney for two years, so I felt it was the right time for me to step up and move on. I know we are in a recession but I now feel confident in my abilities to perform all the treatments,” she said..
“I think the most important thing for people now is that we all want value for money. For the opening week I'm putting on special deals like half price treatments. It's about getting people interested in what I'm doing. I think essentially, with beauty, people have to be able to trust you so it is just about getting people to meet me. My advice to other people who might want to set up a business is, if it something you want to do and believe in you have to go for it. It isn't as easy as everybody thinks it is. It is challenging and it is hard work.”
When asked what the most challenging aspect of setting up the business was, Sophie replied: “I think like anything, when you go into it, although I have had a lot of support from family, it is just the amount of work you do. You don't realise, when you're working for somebody else, the amount of work that goes into it. Also, knowing about all the regulations has been challenging, but very interesting.”
Sophie left Wood Green School in Witney with 10 GCSE's and went on to attain her CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications. Sophie Alexandra Beauty will operate from Fringe hair and beauty salon on Brize Norton Road. The store stocks two British beauty brands, Yin Yang Skin Care and Eve Taylor. For more information, visit sophiealexandrabeauty.co.uk, or call 01993 775100 from Tuesday to Saturday to book an appointment.
