A MUM-OF-FIVE has been crowned the North West's permanent make up artist after launching a dream family studio with her partner.
After the experience of working together during lockdown, Lauren King and Chris Minshall jumped at the chance to launch a hybrid family business in Leigh town centre.
Opening in August 2022, the town centre space uses the first floor to accommodate Lauren's semi-permanent make-up clients and training courses, while Chris uses the ground floor for his tattoo business.
Highlighting her respected reputation and growing success in the industry, Lauren was crowned permanent makeup artist of the year at the North West Hair and Beauty Awards in Bolton last month.
READ > Man jailed as messages confess to 'working long hours bagging up drugs'
Speaking about the award win, Lauren, from Astley, said: "Winning the award means so much to me.
"It’s amazing to get validation from leaders in my industry and just makes me think all the hard work that I have put into my business is all worth it."
When launching the Leigh Road hybrid studio, Lauren and Chris emphasised the desire to create a "family studio" where clients of both businesses felt at ease in a welcoming environment.
With this environment and fair pricing encouraging clients to return, the partners have been able to prosper in each of their businesses while dealing with the difficulties that have come their way.
Lauren added: "The business has been going from strength to strength since we launched.
"Obviously, the cost of living has been a big concern for us as a business, but we make sure all our prices are fair and are always upfront when it comes to pricing - we also often have offers on and ran charity days over Christmas to help those less fortunate.
"The more time goes on, the more customers we tend to share as my customers are getting more comfortable around the tattoo studio side of our business, and equally Chris’s customers often ask and enquire about the treatments upstairs."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here