Welcome to the first in our new series of blog posts, in which we will be interviewing former BCBT students who have made the most of their training with us and gone on to start their own businesses.
Part of our mission as a business is to provide people with the tools they need to develop both professionally and personally to enable them to get back into the workplace.
To achieve this, we partner with housing associations to provide in-depth beauty training, free at the point of service for students.
Since starting this scheme in early 2017 we have taught over 100 students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to follow their dreams and get the correct guidance for how to start a career in the beauty industry.
Our first interviewee is Jasmine Page, who studied with us in 2017 as part of our partnership with Clarion Homes.
After taking our courses through our partnership with Clarion Homes (formerly Affinity Sutton), Jasmine has since gone on to start Sleeping Beauty in Brighton.
What made you sign up for courses with BC Beauty Training?
BCBT were doing a course with Affinity Sutton Homes to help get people into work; I had always wanted to do beauty, but as a mother I couldn’t find the time to go to college and commit to a course.
When I found out that this course was running, I couldn't believe my luck!
As a stay-at-home mum the courses with BC Beauty Training were perfect for me, as I could do the theory side of it at home in my own time and then come in to do the practical training.
Which courses did you complete and what did you gain from them?
I initially took the courses in manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing, tinting and tanning, before returning and doing further courses in gel polish, acrylic extensions and eyelash extensions
These were carried out at their Brighton site and I was trained one-to-one by Laura. I found the courses so informative – being one-to-one was fantastic, as it meant we spent the whole time on improving my skills and being shown exactly what I was doing right and wrong.
I was initially worried as I am really nervous, but I found everything super supportive and encouraging.
I gained so much confidence from my courses, and as well as the practical skills I have also gained lots of business advice from Maria which has been extremely helpful as I started my own beauty business.
Because of this I was completely prepared for the realities of starting out on my own, which really helped me with my first few clients.
Since then so many of my clients at Sleeping Beauty have commented on my professionalism, which I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for these courses.
How has your training with BC Beauty Training changed your life?
With jobs being harder to find, self-employment gives people the means to provide on their own terms and give people the possibility of a career when we thought we'd never have one.
The teachers at BC Beauty Training gave me more than just qualifications, they have given me so much confidence and the inspiration to start my own business, and I can finally see myself going somewhere.
I am so excited for what the future holds and the fact I am going to be able to help provide for my family and build a career!
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Maria Lloyd, Managing Director of BC Beauty Training:
“Jasmine is a pleasure to teach and she has gone above and beyond to get her business up and running. She has overcome so many personal obstacles to achieve her success.
“We are so very proud of her and she is living proof that if you really want something it is always possible.”
You can find Sleeping Beauty on Facebook and Instagram.