MARCH 2023 THE VOICE
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31
Midlands News
Nicole takes a brow!
SUCCESS STORY: Nicole Foster, the founder of double air eauty ward nominee Brow Ability, studied law before running her flourishing business
THE OWNER of a cosmetic tattooing business with less than four years’ trading history is looking forward to the national industry awards after being nominated in two categories. Brow Ability, the brainchild of founder Birminghambased Nicole Foster, has been named as a regional finalist in the air and Beauty Awards 2023 for Best in rows for S Semiermanent ake- p and ntrepreneur of the ear The two-day event will see cosmetic businesses of all sizes compete across two do en categories including best apprentice, barbers, salons shops, education, nails and waxing. Nicole, 28, said: “It is an absolute honour to be recognised for my work. It has been an incredible journey so far and I’m looking forward to the national grand final red carpet event in pril “I started Brow Ability because I wanted there to be a cosmetic business for Black women that was provided by a lack woman We operate in a white female-dominated industry in which it is difficult for Black women to access: treating darker skin is often seen as a risk and, as a result, customers are often blatantly refused service. “Some in the trade aren’t willing to learn how to treat
new customers, but it is important to say that some do I am providing teaching for other businesses that have Black customers, like in Scotland, and want to know how to serve them.” Nicole’s journey to treating brows started from an interesting childhood e perience, via law and motherhood! The first brows she treated were her own when as a preteen she shaved one off! Her grandfather shaved the other off to match, before she pencilled both back on to get the attention of a boy she fancied! While she didn’t win the boy’s heart, a fascination with brows consumed hers and she hasn’t looked back.
MOTHER
fter being privately educated in the Sutton oldfield area, she proceeded to the niversity of eicester and returned to Birmingham with a law degree, mixing legal practice between the capital and Second City with treating brows part time, after becoming a mother and finding a little more freedom. Slowly trading in the courtroom for the salon, icole gained qualifications in courses accredited by the Associated Beauty Therapists, and now holds a evel Semi ermanent ake p S iploma and a T evel ward in
Education and Training. ow specialising in brows and surface-level lip neutralization, Nicole mixes offering services at her salon in Sutton oldfield, running what is becoming a series of regular clinics in ondon and offering online coaching in an industry which is both a growth market and one that has come under scrutiny in recent times The proliferation of substandard products and incompetent practitioners in the beauty industry, often trading online, are issues close to Nicole’s heart. “ ou need a license from your city council to practice cosmetic surgery – I have one from Birmingham City ouncil ou also need to be qualified in accredited courses and have the right professional liability insurance cover.” ooking forward to the wards and reflecting on her victory as ntrepreneur at the inaugural Black Owned irmingham wards late last year, she added: “ ow I feel like a small fish in the big sea. “When you start a business, you don’t know where it’s going to go but I am so happy that it is developing The air and eauty wards will take place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd pril at a venue to be confirmed in irmingham
Police hail youth project’s success
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YOUTH PROJECT has been commended by Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commission for helping to steer young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. The success of the Somali Development Services (SDS) in Leicester was acknowledged for turning around the lives of 40 young people at risk of falling out of education through its sports and mentorship scheme, Intervening Before Crime. The scheme is proving a success
with a significant improvement in behaviour reported among young people involved on the educational and mentorship programme. It has also successfully engaged hard-to-reach young people who have previously resisted other diversionary schemes. Maryan Anshur, SDS’s chief executive, commented on the £9,750 from the Commission’s Safety Fund: “This project has enabled us to support some of the most vulnerable people and help them transition towards a positive outlook on their
life by providing them with positive and meaningful activities and also by working with their families to support them with the issues they are facing.
STRUGGLING
“We are grateful for this support because many young people are struggling, so we can provide the help they need. “If we don’t do this preventative work now, then later on the government will have to pay more to address
anti-social behaviour and criminality, while families and societies suffer.” Leicestershire Police & Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “The project has reached a significant number of young people already, including those who have previously been reluctant to engage with diversionary activities. “Sport is a medium that transcends all boundaries, and I’m really impressed that the team is making an impact and seeing notable change through its work.”
BRINGING RESULTS: Maryan Anshur, Somali evelopment Services chief e ecutive
If you have a story for the East or West Midlands, call/text Veron Graham on 07954 572 988, email veronpgraham@gmail.com, or find him on Facebook or LinkedIn
