A YOUNG business owner has spoken of her entrepreneurial journey after opening her second salon aged just 21.

Lois Williams, from Halstead, has opened Si Belle Beauty in the town centre.

She already runs a successful salon in Great Dunmow which inspired her latest venture.

Lois said: “It is nice to walk to work and being so local you really get to know people.

“Everyone knows each other, it is a lovely community and nice to be a part of that now on a personal and professional level.

“The whole opening has just been better than I ever could have imagined.

“I learnt how to build it from my previous salon, and I have just redone everything that worked.

“We have a bar which is proving really popular, and offer treatments that no one else does.”

As well as regular lashes and nail treatments, the team offer massages and Elim pedicures, plus piercing and fillers.

Lois added she never intended to create a business empire but seeing her first business go from strength to strength, she knew she had what it took to expand.

She said: “I worked in a salon before and had such a bad experience so never planned to open one.

“But it made me go on my own and after lockdown it expanded at such a rate, now we have nice staff members across the two stores.

“I couldn’t have imagined anything better, it has really changed my life.”

Braintree Council economic growth boss Tom Cunningham said: “We are delighted to see so many new businesses opening within our district and urge our residents to continue to support the small and independent businesses which give our market towns a unique feel.

“We wish Lois and her team every success as they grow this new venture.

“Our economic development team are here to support any traders, new or established, across our district.”