Nicola Matthews is a seasaonsed beauty entrepreneur, having founded Sienna X in 2004 and grown it into a leading professional tanning brand.
In 21 years, Matthews has grown the business from a spray-tan cubicle company to one of the world's leading professional tanning brands, loved by consumers and beauty therapists alike.
Here, Matthews details her career journey and how she developed a beauty that has remained cult for years, as well as sharing her thoughts on the essential skills a cosmetics industry professional needs to succeed.
Tell us about your first job in beauty?
My first job in the beauty industry was as a freelance Nail Technician, and not long after I started I trained as a Spray Tan Therapist.
At the time, I had two young children and was juggling another part-time business which meant working most weekends.
Shifting into beauty allowed me to work more flexibly during the week, which suited family life more.
Then I spotted a gap in the market for a portable spray tan tent.
While five months pregnant with baby number three, I took a leap and launched the business that would become Sienna X.
What was a lesson you learned early in your career?
Before launching Sienna X, I worked in corporate sales on a commission-only salary – no sale, no pay.
But the training was exceptional, and I quickly learned that if I followed the guidance and put the work in, I would get
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