AN award-winning entrepreneur who took the gamble of setting up her health and beauty training business during the first Covid-19 lockdown is now reaping the awards.

Last year, Amanda Young set up Training Wings Boutique, a business which provides health and beauty training to businesses and individuals. She also performs treatments from her base in Middlesbrough.

Business boomed for the 33-year-old when Covid-19 restrictions were first lifted in summer 2020, but subsequent lockdowns meant she had to quickly adapt her business.

And so now, whilst she isn’t able to perform treatments, she has taken her training online so people can learn the theory behind all areas of health and beauty, including make-up, hair and nails. And as schools are now re-opening, she will be able to teach her courses again shortly.

She has also used her lockdown time to build up a presence on social media and has quickly become an influencer with companies approaching her to promote their products. She also completed her Level 3 award in education and training during this time.

And she is expecting bookings for her own health and beauty treatments to rocket when the latest restrictions are lifted, and people become eager to spend their money on personal beauty luxuries they have been denied for most of the past year.

Amanda has worked in the health and beauty industry for 18 years since leaving school aged 16. She did a health and beauty course at college and worked in various settings, as well as also training to become a hairdresser.

She said: “I have always worked for other people and when the first lockdown happened, I was working in a spa in Saltburn. I decided it was time to set up my own business focusing on health and beauty treatments and training others.

“I became very busy very quickly, but the subsequent lockdowns meant I was unable to perform treatments, so I put all my focus into the training and began doing education videos on social media.

“These have been very popular and at the same time I have also been able to concentrate on social media and grow my influence, so my name is getting out there.

“And I already have people queuing up for treatments when restrictions are lifted so even though it was a risk setting up a business during a global pandemic, it couldn’t have gone any better and I am excited about what the future will bring.”

At the end of 2020, despite her business operating for a few months, Amanda won a silver award at the 2020 British Hair and Beauty Talent Awards.

She adds: “It was a fantastic achievement which I am very proud of, but I am not planning to rest on my laurels.

“I have always loved to learn so I am already looking to grow my business further and help others grow in a thriving industry.”