In the quaint town of Stratton St Margaret in Swindon, a home-based beauty salon is making waves on a national level. Rachel’s Beauty Room, founded by Rachel Lyon, has been ranked seventh in the ‘Best Home Salon’ category at the prestigious UK Hair and Beauty Awards. In addition, Rachel herself was highly commended for ‘Beauty Therapist of the Year’.
Rachel, a 37-year-old mother of two, established her salon in 2020, just after the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted. Despite the challenging circumstances, she credits her success to her unwavering determination and commitment to providing professional yet personal customer service.
“The lockdowns and restrictions were the hardest moments of starting my own business. It was really frustrating when pubs were allowed to be open but sterile beauty environments were not,” Rachel shared. “Trying to build a client base from nothing in an already tough climate took a lot of hard work. I am proud that we are now almost always fully booked.”
Rachel’s journey to success is not just about business; it’s also about balancing her role as a mother to Sophie, 7, and George, 8. She emphasises that being a present mum while running the salon is important to her.
Before opening Rachel’s Beauty Room, Rachel worked as a kitchen and bathroom designer, a job that left her with minimal time to spend with her children. This frustration led her to turn her hobby into a job, allowing her to be an independent woman with an income, and more importantly, a more present mum.
Rachel’s story is not just about her own success; it’s also about inspiring other women and mums to start their own businesses. She said, “If you’re thinking about it, it’s definitely worth it. Running a business is not easy, but you can do it if you work hard.”
With Rachel’s Beauty Room already shortlisted for several awards at the upcoming British Hair and Beauty Awards and the Brow Awards, Rachel’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and the will to balance personal and professional life.
Image credit: SwindonAdvertiser
