Beautician and former national swimming champion Jo Sharp has taken the plunge and set up her first beauty and aesthetics salon at Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park.
Jo Sharp (39) has combined managing the beauty salon at Breadsall Priory with teaching swimming to adults and children at the pool there to save enough money to set up her own business, Sharp Beauty and Aesthetics, in St Christopher’s Way.
She is now offering a wide range of treatments from anti-wrinkle fillers and dermaplaning to Decleor facials and manicures at the clinic with a 10% discount for NHS workers.
Jo used to swim competitively for City of Derby swimming club and still holds the British freestyle relay record after competing for the last time with her team mates at the national championships back in 2004.
She then enrolled at Derby College to complete a diploma in personal training before combining swimming teaching with expanding her beauty and aesthetic treatment skills.
Jo explained: “I have always dreamt of running my own business and now, with the support of my family and a lot of hard work, I am ready to start the next chapter of my life.
“The accommodation at Oberoi Business Hub is the perfect place to set up my first salon which I am currently running on an appointment-only basis whilst I build up my clientele.
“My clients have said how welcoming it feels and I am very impressed with the high standard of finish because cleanliness is so important in a clinical setting.
“I wanted to be in Pride Park rather than the city centre or one of the suburbs because it is easily accessible with safe parking and there are so many neighbouring businesses where I can promote my services.”
Oberoi Business Hub founder and managing director Kavita Oberoi OBE said: “We love seeing individuals taking the first step on their exciting business journeys – particularly female entrepreneurs.
“As a regular client of this new business, I am also enjoyed combining a welcome pamper with discussions about how Jo can emulate the success that many others have already achieved by embracing the springboard opportunities within the Hub community.
“Jo is focused and hard-working, which are key elements of any business owner, so I have no doubt that this new venture will be a success.”