“I didn’t know the HEY Business, Growth and Skills Hub had so much to offer. I’m doing online courses for social media, I’ve received help in getting the right premises, and guidance with my business plan – I hadn’t written one of those for years.” – Yasmin Gilbert, Owner, Beautique Beauty and Aesthetics
Somewhere in a parallel universe Yasmin Gilbert is kitted out in a hard hat and hi-vis,
working on the smooth completion of a major road project. But in the real world she’s reaching a milestone with her own business having traded her first job for her first passion. Beautique Beauty and Aesthetics will create work for about 20 people and strive to raise the standards and profile around an undervalued sector.
“A lot of people have the wrong image of the industry in their heads – they talk it down,”
said Yasmin. “But you really do have to know a lot about anatomy and physiology. Why would you let someone who has no industry background whatsoever stick a needle in your face?!”
After leaving school Yasmin worked as a receptionist for the Highways Agency – a forerunner of National Highways – and progressed to co-ordinating new road and street projects. After a couple of years she fancied a change so went to Cyprus and did bar work, then pursued her dream career on returning to the UK.
She said: “Beauty therapy was always in the back of my mind. It’s just something I have
always wanted to do. I used to buy my own kits and do my own nails.” Yasmin studied at Hull College and, with greater maturity and confidence from her previous roles, gained a triple grade distinction in her BTEC in beauty therapy sciences. Winning a few awards raised her profile and she was head hunted by a big beauty brand to be their regional educator. She completed her education and started travelling the country and teaching at salons. When Covid closed the sector down she set about securing her own accreditation and writing her own training manuals.
The idea of Beautique Beauty and Aesthetics came from the recognition that the industry as a whole was eager to improve. Yasmin has built her own network, travelling to deliver training and bringing in specialist skills from elsewhere, such as medical professional Alan Apolakiatis from his clinic in Barnsley.
Yasmin said: “Covid was a problem at the time but it made people realise that we are a very profitable industry with a lot of well-educated practitioners. “It’s a very fast-paced industry. Even now, nearly 16 years on, I am still developing my skills and continuing my training. People think it’s an easy career to get into but it’s really not.”
With the help of the HEY Growth Hub, Yasmin has been able to secure a capital equipment grant as well as vital business planning support including signposting to other resources. The outcome is an active salon in Hessle with hairdressing and beauty therapies, with students able to get hands-on experience by working in a live environment. The project will create opportunities for 15 self-employed people including hairdressers, beauty therapists and technicians, plus five people employed as tutors.
Yasmin said: “I didn’t know the HEY Growth Hub had so much to offer. I’m doing online courses for social media, I’ve received help in getting the right premises and guidance with my business plan – I hadn’t written one of those for years. “Now I want to give others the same opportunities because it can be very daunting. We will give people the experience to help them develop and build their confidence.”