Former swimming champ takes the plunge at business hub

A beautician and former national swimming champion has taken the plunge and set up her first beauty and aesthetics salon at the Oberoi Business Hub.

Jo Sharp 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, at the hub in St Christopher’s Way, on Pride Park.

She is now offering a wide range of treatments from anti-wrinkle fillers and dermaplaning to Decleor facials and manicures at the clinic.

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 teammates 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.

She said: “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 while 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.”

Kavita Oberoi OBE, founder and managing director of the Oberoi Business Hub, 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 enjoying 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.”

Meanwhile, to mark International Women’s Day, Kavita is inviting registered charities who share her goal of improving the lives of women and girls and empowering them to achieve their goals to apply for funding to support their work.

Every year a percentage of profits from her companies are ploughed into The Oberoi Foundation, which was launched a few years ago to support charitable causes.

She is marking International Women Day by opening the application process for funding.

She said: “Through my involvement in campaigns and charities locally, nationally and internationally, I have seen the positive impact that funding innovative causes can have on changing the lives of women and girls.

“The Global Girls Fund in particular has helped change the lives of women and girls from some of the most deprived communities worldwide.

“This was my motivation and inspiration for setting up The Oberoi Foundation and I am delighted that we are now in the position to invite applications for funding.

“I look forward to receiving initial expressions of interest so that we can then guide applicants through the formal process.”

Expressions of interest for The Oberoi Foundation should be emailed to admin@oberoi-consulting.com.