'I’m still living my dream,' says Oldbury hair and beauty salon boss as she celebrates 10 years in business

Origin Hair and Beauty Salon and Training Academy, founded by Sarah-Louise Charlton, is marking its 10th anniversary this week.

To celebrate the milestone, which was officially on October 13, Sarah-Louise has organised a get together at the salon in Causeway Green Road for staff and clients with drinks and cake.

Now aged 35, the young entrepreneur has told of her joy to have notched up a decade in the industry she loves and to also be training the next generation.

She said: “It’s always been my dream to have my own nail business. From a young age I was forever painting nails, brushing hair, and doing make-up, my family always knew this was where I was heading.”

On leaving school, she studied beauty at college, completing level 2 and 3 qualifications, and working Saturdays at the college.

Before long she secured her first full-time job as a beautician in a salon and “loved every minute of it”. 

She began building up a loyal clientele and after three years she took the plunge and became self-employed at the age of around 20.

“Although it was scary, I thought, what have I got to lose?,” she said.

By the age of 25 she was ready to take the next step and began viewing empty shops - eventually settling on a former butchers shop in Oldbury.

“It was the perfect spot, full of potential, with the most supportive landlords. I always told myself ‘if it fails, at least I can say I tried’ so with the encouragement of my husband and family, I went for it and I’m so glad I did.

“Years passed, my business thrived, and my next milestone was to reach 10 years. “Today, at 35, I’m proud to say I’ve achieved that goal and I’m still living my dream.” 

Sarah-Louise, however, didn’t stop there and has since developed a training academy as well as the salon - returning to college to complete a teaching diploma so she can train other aspiring beauticians to  “reach their goals in this amazing industry”.

She added: “I’m so lucky to have an incredible team by my side, Leanne Mullett and Megan Owens.  

“They’re newly qualified, passionate and are now building their own client base. They inspire me every day, and I’m sure they’ll follow in my footsteps, maybe even taking over Origin one day when I retire.

“Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without our loyal clients, many of whom have supported me from the very beginning. I’ll always be grateful for them.

"If there’s one thing I hope my story shows, it’s that if you have a dream, go for it. I’m so glad I did.”