A WOMAN who started her own business from scratch has said she feels "emotional" to have been named the Dorset Echo Beautician of the Year.
Hidden Beauty on Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth came out on top after receiving the most votes from our readers in the competition.
Robyn Claire, owner of Hidden Beauty, said: "Honestly, I am so emotional about it, it was so lovely people voted for us.
"We didn't even know we had been entered to start with so it was a lovely surprise and really unexpected."
She added: "We have only been in here since March but the company has been going for a couple of years.
"I started mobile at first and then I had my last baby and decided to be stationary.
"It has been amazing, we have had so much support and all of my mobile clients all came with me which was really nice."
Robyn started her career in beauty after deciding between two polar opposite worlds of beauty and mechanics - but says she now can't imagine doing anything else.
She said: "I don't know what made me choose beauty. I was choosing between mechanics and beauty and there are days when my car dies and I regret it.
"But I absolutely love it, you are such a part of clients' lives, you get to catch up and it is lovely to go through everything with them.
"I can't imagine doing anything else.
"Sometimes you are a part of their big day and all of their plans and it is lovely.
The business employs three lash technicians and three nail technicians as part of the team.
Hidden Beauty is open six days a week from Monday to Saturday, and often stays open until 8pm or 9pm.
Robyn said the success of the business has been so great that they are now looking into expanding and finding a bigger shop.
She added: "People have been incredible, we have had such a huge show of support it has been really nice.
"We have grown that much that we are looking to find somewhere bigger, we need the extra rooms."
Hidden Beauty has been presented with a framed certificate for its achievement, which will be proudly displayed in the salon.
2024 runners-up in the competition who shone with the highest volume of nominations should also be incredibly proud of themselves and included:
Bloom and Glow Beauty Studio, Weymouth
Burst of Beauty, Weymouth
Amber Bale Mobile Beauty & massage therapist, Weymouth
Kim Hill Beauty, Weymouth
Lashes by Dee, Weymouth
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