A beautician says she feels “amazing” after being nominated for a prestigious industry award.

Lauren Taylor, 25, has been nominated for the best new salon category at The UK Hair and Beauty Awards for her Radcliffe business, L.E, which offers treatments for nails, skin, and eye lashes.

Lauren, from Oldham, decided to set up her own business after studying beauty therapy and nail technology at college, and originally offered treatments alongside her full-time role as a carer.

Two years ago, Lauren took the leap into offering beauty treatments full time after moving to Radcliffe.

She operates out of Alison Jane Bridal Couture on Radcliffe New Road.

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The former Oldham College student said despite the challenges that come with running your own business, she “loves” being her own boss.

She said: “What can’t you love about running your own business?!

“Yes, it’s hard and stressful to make sure you earn your money but being able to pamper people and make people feel special is the best thing.

“I was in a full-time job when I decided to hand my notice in only a week after deciding to rent my own space, so I had no income to then had to push myself to bring income.

“I also trying to find another job in care as I love being with the elderly and making them smile, but it made everything go into perspective and made me determined to get my salon where I want it to be.”

As a new business owner Lauren says being nominated for the awards has been a massive boost to her confidence.

She added: “It feels amazing [to be nominated] suffering with my mental health has always been a downfall but I wanted to prove to myself that if I want something I can achieve it.

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“The fact that they thought my submission was good enough to be a finalist honestly I can’t explain my emotions.”

In the future, Lauren says he hopes to expand her business even more.

She said: “I would love to expand into a full salon that does everything but I also would love to have an academy where people can be trained in doing what they would love to do with the support of someone that has been there before and give them as much information as I received to make them succeed.”