Menu
Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
Introducing Chantelle, a talented beautician, hair extension specialist and proud owner of ‘Chantelle’s Beautique’. We sit down with Chantelle as she tells us how she started out in the industry, her top tips for becoming self-employed, struggles she faced and overcame along the way and her favourite products that she can’t live without!
Hi Chantelle! Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about your business and the services you offer?
My treatment room is based in my garden at home and I offer a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments specialising in skin care, brows & hair extensions. My clients love my set up and really appreciate the little touches like being able to park with ease and having more of a cosy experience away from the hustle and bustle of a busy salon. As well as running my own business at home, I also enjoy teaching others on their journey starting out in the trade with my own accredited courses at home as another branch of my business called ‘The Hair and Beauty Training Beautique’. You may also see me in your local Capital Hair & Beauty as I also tutor for one of their training providers ‘Face Forward’ offering brow lamination and lash lift and tint courses.
It must have taken you on quite a journey to get to where you are today? How did you do it and what is your advice to anyone looking to get started?
I started out in the hair & beauty Industry at just 14 years old when schools were allowing students to swap a GCSE with a BTEC from a local college. In all honesty I only chose hair & beauty because my friends did, but once I stepped inside the industry walls I realised how amazing it is! 18 years on - apprenticeships, college courses and MANY accredited courses later - I am still just as hooked. I love educating and my advice to anyone thinking about getting into is - it is much more enjoyable when you are doing something you love. Don’t feel you need to jump in and know everything about everything straight away. This may take time and sometimes takes patience but you will find the area and treatments you enjoy most, then learn all about it. When you are passionate, your clients will see this, and it will make you stand out from the rest.
We love that advice! So we can catch you educating in one of our local stores but we really want to know what’s in your basket on the way out and why you choose Capital Hair & Beauty as your wholesaler of choice!
I love so many of the products in store but if I had to narrow it down, my top 2 favourites in my basket are always the +Maskology Face Masks, as they have an option for all skin types and concerns and the perfect finish to my skin care treatments. I also use them on myself weekly. Closely followed by the Strictly Professional Creamy Cuticle Remover which is such a game changer! It makes what can be a tough job super easy! I shop at Capital as it’s so well laid out and the products I need are easy to find. There is always someone on hand to ask if I need help and whether I am visiting a store to stock up or as an educator, I have always had a great experience!
As someone who is self-employed, what is your advice and top tips for going it alone and staying up to date with the latest trends and knowledge?
Firstly, social networking is key. Become familiar with your local area and don’t be afraid to talk to locals and businesses. Shout about your business at every opportunity! It may take time but word of mouth is the best way so just keep going. I enjoy learning and I like to be able to pass that knowledge on to my students so I stay up to date by booking myself on to a course at least a few times a year and researching across the internet, hair & beauty magazines, trade shows, forums all help.
Are there any challenges that you have faced in the industry and what strategies have you implemented to overcome them?
I was only in the industry for 5 years before deciding to go self-employed so a lot of what I’ve learnt about running a business I’ve had to research and workout for myself. I have moved counties a few times due to my husband’s commitments meaning restarting my business 4 times as well as having some of my own health conditions to contend with. There have been times my business has been very stop and go but the most important thing is to keep going, keep working at it and stay passionate.
Any final words to our readers?
Remember to love what you do and most importantly look after yourself first! You cannot offer the best service to others if you are not looking your own wellbeing.
Book an online or in person course today by visiting www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/training or to find out more about Chantelle by visiting her Instagram @Chantelles_beautique www.chantellesbeautique.co.uk. Don’t forget to follow us over on our socials @capitalhairuk and @capitalhairireland as we celebrate our 70th anniversary shining a spotlight on our store team, products, customer favourite products and more!
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
Featured products
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
BUY 3 FOR THE PRICE OF 2
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Back to Posts
Tags
- 10years
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023 nails
- accessories
- acids
- acne
- advice
- all soft
- anniversary
- anxiety
- appointments
- apps
- art
- autumn
- autumn hair
- autumn nail trends
- balayage
- banking
- barber
- barbering
- barbers
- beauticians
- beauty
- beauty guidance
- beauty industry
- beauty professional
- beautypro
- bleach
- blonde
- botox
- braids
- brassy
- bridal
- bright hair
- brow lamination
- brows
- business
- cancellation
- capital & i
- cash flow
- celebrate
- chairs
- checklist
- christmas
- christmas nails
- clean
- client loyalty
- clients
- collection
- colour
- colourists
- corona virus
- covid
- covid 19
- covid19
- covid-19
- creative colour
- cruelty free
- curls
- customer
- design
- education
- event
- facial
- fall
- festive
- finance
- finances
- freelance
- freelance beauty
- freelance hair
- freelancer
- freelancers
- frog skin design
- funny
- furniture
- gel
- gellux
- glam
- glossy waves
- glow
- gold
- guide
- guidelines
- guidlines
- hair
- hair art
- hair care
- hair colour
- hair dye
- hair industry
- hair inspiration
- hair products
- hair salon
- hair style
- hair styles
- hair styling
- hair trends
- haircare
- haircolour
- hairdresser
- hairdressers
- hairdressers advice
- hairdressers guide
- hairdressing
- hairstyle
- hairstyles
- halloween
- health
- healthy
- help
- how i got here
- how to
- hygiene
- ideas
- indola
- ingredients
- inoa
- inspiration
- interiors
- january
- keratin
- keune
- l’oréal
- l’oréal professionnel
- lamination
- lashes
- lockdown
- loreal
- l'oreal
- l'oreal pro
- l'oreal professional
- macadamia
- make up
- manicure
- marketing
- mask
- maskne
- mens
- mens hair
- men's hairstyles
- mental health
- mobile
- nail
- nail art
- nail creations
- nail design
- nail industry
- nail inspiration
- nail trends
- nailart
- nails
- natural
- navy
- neutralise
- new
- new look
- new normal
- new years
- nxt
- olaplex
- opi
- organised
- oval
- party
- party hair
- party trends
- pastel colours
- pigment
- planning
- plant based
- ponytail
- preparation
- pricing
- pro longer
- products
- professional
- professional hair
- professional hair care
- professional tan
- protect
- pulp riot
- re opening
- redken
- re-open
- reopening
- reopening hair salon
- retail
- reverse balayage
- safety
- salon
- salon finance
- salon furniture
- salon management
- salon owner
- salon refit
- salon services
- salon system
- salons
- samantha cussik
- savings
- schwarzkopf
- self care
- selfcare
- self-employed
- semi permanent
- sensitive skin
- skills
- skincare
- skincare steps
- skincare tips
- small business
- smoky hair
- social
- social media
- spa
- spraytan
- spring
- square
- star
- stars
- starting your own business
- step by step
- step by step guide
- step-by-step
- stylist
- success
- summer
- summer hair trends
- sun damage
- tanning
- technique
- textured nails
- tigi
- time to improve
- tips
- tips & advice
- tips for reopening business
- toner
- toning
- top knot
- top tips
- training
- treatment
- trend
- trends
- tutorial
- unwind
- updo
- upgrade
- upskills
- valentines
- vegan
- veganuary
- wahl
- wax
- waxing
- week
- wella
- wella professionals
- winter
- xbox
- yovanka loria extensions
Latest Posts
- A Week In My Shoes - Yovanka Loria
- Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
- Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
- Something Old - Something New
- Skin Cycling 101
- The Winter Nail Trends 2023
- Let's Party
- Winter Glow-Up
- Fall Colour Faves
- Indola Blonde Expert Care Range
Related Posts
Fall Colour Faves
Explore the Ultimate Fall colours that will satisfy every single creative craving. Read on to find out more..
Indola Blonde Expert Care Range
INDOLA launches NEW Blonde Expert Care range; the high performing care you need for all blondes
Meet OPI Nature Strong
We know you’ve been on the hunt for a natural polish that actually works - one that is made up of ingredients you can trust and one that doesn’t require you to choose between performance and natural, because, well, you shouldn’t have to. So, we poured every effort into making a long - lasting, highly pigmented vegan lacquer that stays on so you can stay natural.
New Naturalash Individual Texture Lashes
Salon System, brand leaders in professional beauty, have announced the exciting launch of a new addition to its Naturalash range.
Introducing New Advanced Creme Wax
Salon System, brand leaders in professional beauty, launches a new waxing product to its hero Just Wax Expert collection: Advanced Creme Wax, which has been specifically designed for delicate skin.
Wella Shinefinity Color Glaze
The long-lasting colour glaze with zero lift and zero damage SHINEFINITY is the new long lasting colour glaze which offers zero lift and zero damage and promises to deliver true-to-tone colour results with a silky hair finish.
Furniture Focus
Spring is in the air, which means it’s a great time to review your salon furniture and general interior to see what could be improved, or even replaced. Need some ideas? Check out our guide to our latest collection in store, and the interiors trends to look out for.
No Limit Nails!
When it comes to nail predictions for 2022, it’s hard to, well, nail them down! That’s because in a post-pandemic culture, trends are very much led by social media and celebrity looks, as well as influential nail techs.