THE owner of a Romsey-based beauty salon has expressed her delight at being named the Romsey Advertiser and Hampshire Chronicle Beautician of the Year.
The Beauty Studio at Bradbeers, in Bell Street, beat dozens of challengers to win the title.
First established by Suzanne Portman in 1991, the salon has operated from a space in the Bradbeers department store for 10 years.
Suzanne said that she and her team are “over the moon” to win the award.
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She said: “It means a lot to us. We work really hard on the business, so it is nice to have a little reward for it.
“It is really nice to have a little recognition for all the hard work it takes, it makes it worthwhile and gives us a boost. It is one more reason to keep going, and it is lovely to know that we have the support of our clients and customers and their loyalty.”
When asked how it felt to have been in business for more than 30 years, Suzanne said: “I have to keep pinching myself sometimes. It has been a long journey, it hasn’t always been straight forward. We’ve had our fair share of knocks, but I think, for me, I have never taken my finger off the pulse.
“My staff inspire me to keep going, our customers keep me going. I’ve known some of my customers since I first started the salon too, which is quite special. Some of them come from far and wide, and some of them have moved away and still come back to see us, so that’s quite special, and that keeps you going. It makes it all worthwhile.
“I love my job – every day I walk into the business and I have a big smile on my face. I love the work, I love the job, I love the team. I feel quite passionate about it, which I guess speaks to the success of the business.”
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Suzanne wanted to thank her staff, calling them “absolutely brilliant”, and noting that some of them had worked with her for more than 15 years.
She added that Bradbeers had been supportive to the salon since the business moved there 10 years ago, saying: “A small business becomes part of a bigger business, I’m still the boss, but they really support us.”
More information about Beauty Studio at Bradbeers can be found by visiting the salon’s website.
Runners-up for this year’s Beautician of the Year award included Ayano Spa in Awbridge, Turner and Tams in Chandler’s Ford, Richmond House Beauty in Otterbourne, Salon Essenziale in Winchester and Sparx Beauty, also in Winchester.
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