Ipswich businesswoman Sue Carter has been selected from dozens of entries to take part in an personal development programme, run by the Enterprising Women Foundation, and backed financially by Santander.
Sue, who runs her Image Beauty Salon travelled to London last week for the first full day of training, as part of thethe London Growth Programme 2014.
The first day, in a series of training days over the next few weeks, was hosted by entrepreneur Bev Hurley.
Sue said: “She is very inspiring. She is absolutely brilliant.
“The day was packed full of advice and ideas for moving the business forward. I absolutely loved it.”
Bev Hurley, CBE, third left at the rear of the group photograph, is an award-winning entrepreneur and businesswoman.
She won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
She is chief executive of YTKO, Cambridge and the founder of Enterprising Women, founded on 2006, a not for profit company which also sets up local business clubs and arranges start-up loans for business.
Sue Carter, from Ipswich, has bee running Image Beauty Salon for 15 years and her two daughters have followed her into the professon.
Sue said: “The business is growing really well and we are making good progress,
“The past two months have been busier than a year ago.
“We have a vision to develop Image further. It has a lot of potential for growth, especially with the new academy.
“So it is realy good for me to get mentoring to achieve the goals I want, both personally and professionally.”
The beauty industry had changed a great deal over the past ten years, she said.
“It is completely different.
“Friends come along together, for treatments and to catch up.
“Mums and daughters too are spending time together.
“I think women are more committed to looking their best,
“It has become a normal thing to do. It is not a treat any more. It is part of normal life.
“It has become much more social.”
There had also been a move to more permanent cosmetic treatments, she said, such as permanent make-up and permanent hair removal.
Her personal favourite treatments is massage. “I love massage, and anything facial that helps turn back the clock,” she laughed.
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