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Leap of faith pays off for Aberdeen beauty business duo

Carrie McRobb and Julie Gillan, co-owners and managers of Bello Beauty on King Street.
Carrie McRobb and Julie Gillan, co-owners and managers of Bello Beauty on King Street.

Two Aberdeen salon owners celebrated a successful first year in business this summer after taking on a renovation project to turn a dull city centre office into a beautiful salon space.

Beauty therapists Carrie McRobb and Julie Gillan, co-owners and managers of Bello Beauty, made the brave decision in May 2021 to step away from their full-time jobs in a city centre salon to follow their dreams of running their own beauty salon.

Julie was also busy splitting her time at home with her daughter, who had just turned two, so life was hectic.

Julie Gillan, left, and Carrie McRobb celebrating their first year in business.

However, the dynamic duo forged ahead to find the all-important location for their salon and, after viewing a former ground-floor office suite on King Street, they knew they’d found the perfect place.

“We were worried about opening a new salon so soon after the pandemic and it was an extremely nerve-wracking process, especially after going through two years of restrictions,” said Julie.

Bello Beauty’s potential

“However, when we saw the office space, we could see it had so much potential and it just felt like the right fit for us.

“We believe in only having regrets for what you haven’t done and we thought ‘life’s too short’ so we took the leap and followed our dreams.”

The renovated space at Bello Beauty.

Carrie and Julie, who are from Pitmedden and Udny Station respectively, both attended Meldrum Academy and trained for their professional qualifications at North East Scotland College.

The pair, both 30, rolled up their sleeves to overhaul their new premises and roped in family and friends to help with the two-month reconstruction project of plastering, sanding and painting.

The salon was created in former office space.

The result was the creation of a charming, welcoming space for clients to relax and, in July 2021, Bello Beauty officially opened its doors.

The salon offers a range of cosmetic services including manicures and pedicures, massage, facials/dermaplanning, waxing, eyelash extension, tinting, spray tanning and more.

Carrie McRobb and Julie Gillan outside their salon that recently notched up a year in business.

New clients

The business has continued to go from strength to strength with a 15% increase in new clients.

They recently hired a third member of their team welcoming make-up artist, Kristy McKay, MUA.

“We are absolutely delighted to have come such a long way in the last 12 months,” continued Julie.

“We can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we opened Bello Beauty and what a year it’s been. They say the first year in business is the hardest, but we can honestly say it’s been the quickest and best year ever and we have absolutely no regrets.”

The salon offers a range of services in lovely surroundings.

Carrie added: “It’s been a lot of hard work and it’s taken sheer determination, but we are so grateful to our amazing clients who have played a huge part in making Bello Beauty the successful business it is today.

Family and friends

“We’d like to thank every single person, from new and existing clients to our family and friends, who have all helped us through one of the toughest but best years ever, we are so grateful for everyone’s support.

“We have absolutely loved our first year in business and we can’t wait to keep growing.”

For more information, follow Bello Beauty on Facebook and Instagram or contact Carrie or Julie by email at bellobeautylimited@hotmail.com or call the salon on 01224 658442.

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