Studio Enhance, Dovercourt, to open its doors on April 12

At just 18-years-old, Lara Clarke will now reap the rewards of her admirable determination when Studio Enhance opens in Dovercourt on April 12.

Studying beauty therapy at college was just the start of a long journey to get to where she wants to be, having worked in a nearby salon and freelance as a makeup artist.

As her client list built up, more business kept coming and before she knew it Lara was doing people’s makeup for events, weddings and birthdays.

She said: “Beauty has always been my passion and something I have absolutely loved to do and gain so much satisfaction from.

“I started doing my friends, family and many of mums friends’ makeup from my home and bedroom for fun and for events, this is where I began my journey.

“My parents could see how much I wanted to pursue this as a career and surprised me with my very own beauty room in our home which they transformed and renovated for me, which I was so grateful for.

Lara will be opening the doors to Studio Enhance on April 12

“I now had my own space to work from and bring my clients to, in the comfort of my own home with a more professional feel.”

Coupled with her own determination, the support of Lara’s parents was fundamental to achieving the dream of starting her own business.

After going on to study business and accounting she gained knowledge of how to run a business successfully, so brought the idea to her dad, Marcus.

Lara added: “I pitched this idea to my Dad who was certain that if you put your mind to it anything is possible and really pushed me to go through with the idea in the near future.

“He offered me the back office space which he doesn’t use at his work location in the town, on High Street, and said that he could transform them into something bigger and better.

“So, for the last few months in lockdown, he has been working extremely hard to transform the building into a brand new beauty studio and I have been putting all my knowledge towards building the perfect business plan.

“I am so excited and I know all our hard work will pay off. I am determined to run a successful beauty studio and business in the heart of my hometown despite only being 18.

“I feel I am bringing a sense of willpower to other people my age to go after what they are passionate about and am showing anything is possible with determination.”