A Darlington woman balancing a career in mental health with a growing beauty business says she was left stunned after being shortlisted for a Northern Echo award.
Beverley Elliot, owner of Bespoke Beauty, has been named a finalist in this year's Northern Echo Best Beauty Salon contest.
Beverley has been building her business while working part-time in a mental health unit, juggling two careers alongside raising her daughter.
Beverley Elliot who owns Bespoke Beauty. (Image: BEVERLEY ELLIOT)
The 31-year-old said: "I've been doing hair and make-up for 12 years now.
"I started in a photography studio and then I gave birth to my daughter.
"When she was at the age where I could go self-employed, I took the chance.
"I've always had a side job as well.
"I look after my daughter full-time as well and now that she's at the age where she's got more independence it's a lot easier and more manageable."
Although she enjoys her work in mental health and continues to do it two days a week, Beverley's long-term ambition is to make beauty her full-time career.
She said: "I still work part-time with my other job.
"I do two days a week in a mental health unit, which I do really enjoy, but my main goal is to be switching to full-time in the beauty side in the next six months.
"I want to take that leap and do a couple of extra courses, but obviously I have to manage the funding."
(Image: BEVERLEY ELLIOT)
The award nomination comes at a busy time for Beverley, who has recently expanded her business beyond hair and make-up.
Alongside offering professional hair and make-up for weddings and special occasions, face painting and Halloween special effects make-up, she has also launched a bouquet and balloon business and begun offering party rentals including chair covers and decorations.
(Image: BEVERLEY ELLIOT)
But beauty has been her passion since childhood.
"I've always wanted to go into beauty.
"When I was a child I used to carry a little Groovy Chick bag around and I'm always the go-to friend for make-up and beauty. It's something I always wanted to do as a child," she said.
Despite spending years in the industry and building a loyal client base, Beverley never expected to find herself shortlisted for an award.
She said: "I was really shocked.
"I have a lot of loyal clients.
"I really appreciate them and a lot of them are friends now."
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Bespoke Beauty is one of 10 finalists chosen from hundreds of reader nominations for the 2026 award.
To vote, fill in the form in The Northern Echo and post it to The Northern Echo Best Beauty Salon 2026, Local IQ House, 1 Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5NP.
Votes will be counted shortly after voting closes.