Leighton Buzzard businesswoman finalist in UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2021

Emma North, 30, who lives in Stanbridge, is delighted to be in the running for the titles of 'Best Gel Nails' and 'Nail Technician of the Year'.

The hardworking entrepreneur runs Emma's Beauty Box, and is grateful to her clients for encouraging her to enter the competition.

Emma told the LBO: "I saw an advert for the competition online and thought 'No, I won't do that', but quite a few of my clients took screenshots of it and said 'We think you should enter!'

"And one person said to me 'You should do something every day that scares you'.

"When I found out I was a finalist I was in complete shock - little old me! I felt a bit nervous, shocked and happy.

"My clients were quite chuffed for me, and it took a while to sink in through happy tears."

Emma has been running her beauty business for three years, the first of which was spent working in the evenings whilst she juggled her day job in an office.

However, with her popularity growing, she then took the plunge and decided to work full time, now based at her home in Stanbridge.

Emma, who is Leighton Buzzard born and bred, said: "I love it when people who are very shy about their hands and feet, but then you see a complete transformation and they feel so confident and happy. I love that bit - I'm almost like an adrenaline junkie, I love that feeling!

"You can see people change during the hour, and not just because of that, because they are able to offload. It makes them feel better."

To enter the beauty competition, Emma had to write a background summary about herself and the business, and include some photos.

The finals will be held on March 31 and Emma, who is a mum of two, will certainly be dressing up in her living room for the virtual event!

She added: "I would like to thank my clients, my husband, Ray North, and my sister, Katie Wesley. They are my two driving forces and whenever I have a wobble they are always straight there to push me forward."

Following the Prime Minister's roadmap announcement, Emma is looking forward to reopening on April 12.

To find out more about Emma's Beauty Box, visit: https://www.facebook.com/emmasbeautyboxuk