After achieving her dreams when transforming her garage into a tranquil salon space, Emma Blakeman shares her love of providing a personal, one-to-one service to clients at Nails by Emma B in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire.

Emma began her training in 2015 with The Beauty Academy in Cambridge, following the birth of her second son, qualifying in gel polish application, pedicures and nail art.

Emma kickstarted her career as a mobile tech, but she dreamt of one day opening her own salon. Her dreams came true in 2017 when Emma decided to convert part of her garage into her own salon.

“To start with, I had only half of my garage converted, but business began to boom and I need more room to perform my amazing Footlogix pedicures,” Emma explains.

She made the decision to extend her salon into the rest of the garage, taking over the entirety of the space. “I have everything I ever wanted and more. I have a fab client base, and many regular clients who love coming to my salon.”

Relaxing music plays while Emma performs treatments at Nails by Emma B, with hot chocolates and coffee provided to clients. “I like to add that final touch of customer care,” she smiles.

“My salon is quiet and calming. I offer a one-to-one, personal service, with no interruptions. I allow enough time for this to give this special feel for each and every one of my customers.”

Emma prides herself on her Footlogix pedicures and builder gel manicures in the salon, offering services from Monday to Friday. “I have two gorgeous boys and I’m a wife to my amazing husband, so I try to work around them.

“I always try to adapt to my client’s needs. If this means working evenings or weekends to help with a special occasion, I try to help with this where I can,” she smiles. “I have a variety of clients from 25 to 75 years old. They all love my products and my relaxing pedicures are proven to be a win!”

“I feel like my salon is unique and different to others because I have one client in my salon at a time, unless two come together as a pamper joint appointment.

“I have a side gate and my rule is if the gate is open, I’m ready for you. If it’s closed, then I’m performing a treatment. My clients love this, because no one is knocking on the door and no one turns up too early.”

“I offer a professional and personal service, giving clients my undivided attention during treatments, which they love.”

“As mentioned, I play relaxing music, and most of my ladies close their eyes whilst having their Footlogix pedicures and just sink into my chair and its surroundings.

“It makes me so happy to see how relaxed clients feel in the salon. We all need time for ourselves,” she says. “We all need time to relax and time to recharge, and I feel so honoured that my clients are able to find that time here.”

“I chose a grey and damask design for my salon, as I think it’s tranquil yet stylish,” Emma shares. “I’m very picky when it comes to décor, so everything needed to match.

“I’m in love with my pedicure chair. My ladies love it very much and always say how they can’t wait to come and have their next pedicure here.”

“I also sell products in my salon, including Footlogix products for clients to use to maintain their feet between pedicures, and Lyla Belle Candle Co products that I sell for my friend’s local family-run business. These are so popular, and nearly everyone leaves with something that they’ve bought.

“The products consist of crackling Woodwick candles and wax pots, and I sell calming wax lamps too,” she explains. “It’s very fitting for a salon, as we all need this indulgence of fragrances in our homes.”

“I absolutely love every part of the salon. It really relaxes me, and I hope that I can continue to give a professional, calming treatment for a very long time to come.

“I’m living the dream in my salon and it’s all thanks to my lovely clients,” Emma beams.

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