Beauty therapists turned business partners take over Sunderland salon

Two beauty therapists have taken over a salon in South Tyneside.

After being made redundant multiple times in their careers, Beverley Brown and Tracey Lilburn jumped at the chance to acquire Relax & Glow in Sunderland.

They relaunched the salon as Cleadon Beauty, and retained all staff, with support from the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and its startup programme.

Beverley and Tracey have more than 60 years’ combined experience in the beauty sector.

Beverley, formerly salon manager at the business when it was Relax & Glow, said: “I’ve always wanted to start my own business but I didn’t want to take the plunge on my own.

“So to have the opportunity to go into business with Tracey, who has been my friend for the last 20 years, is brilliant.”

She continued: “Having our own business means we can now protect our own futures and not have to worry about being made redundant.

“And with the experience and passion we have, as well as having so many friends and connections in the industry, we’re very confident of succeeding.”

Commenting on the support from the North East Business and Innovation Centre, Tracey said: “We’re very grateful to the BIC and Business Adviser, Ron Anderson, who gave us lots of confidence to start the business.

“He told us exactly what it was like to go self-employed and confirmed that our thoughts and fears were normal, but ultimately, he made us believe in ourselves.”

The BIC’s startup programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund.

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