Crystal Clear Success

Crystal beauty parlour in Handsworth has proved a big success for mother and daughter partnership, Christine and Rochelle Overend, who despite launching their new business just two months ago, are already considering the recruitment of new staff to cope with the demand.

Christine, aged 51, spent ten years in the beauty trade working her way up from receptionist to manager, before she decided to work for herself. The team who Christine previously worked with saw her potential to be her own boss and encouraged her to look into setting up on her own.

In February 2008, with the support of BiG: Make it Your Business, Christine and daughter Rochelle, set about working towards their business ambitions and in July they launched the Crystal salon.

As well as providing a range of health and beauty treatments, such as facials, waxing, massage, Botox and nail treatments, Crystal has a personal training and fitness suite for fitness classes and personal training sessions.

Speaking on her ambitions for Crystal, Christine said: “I wanted to bring something nice to the area. It’s not just ‘that sun bed shop’ anymore. We have so much more to offer, for example there are naturalistic products and beauty treatments, and upstairs we’ve got a fitness suite. I’m a qualified fitness instructor offering a wide range of programmes including pilates and spinal rehab.

“I’m doing everything that I love all under one roof. We have been so busy, our client base is growing everyday and people keep coming back so I’m really pleased with how the business is developing.”

Kevin Bennett, Director of BiG: Make it Your Business, said: “We are delighted to have supported Christine in starting her business. She turned a run-down salon into a successful and thriving business. We hope her story will encourage other people to see the potential in themselves to be their own boss and seek out support to help them achieve their goals.”

To contact Crystal, call 0114 253 0699.