Thetford Elite Hair and Beauty Training Academy opens for business after two mums team up

A girls' night out proved life-changing for two friends when they decided to start a business together.

Han Gilson, 33, a mum-of-three, and Jenna Carter, 37, a mum-of-five, both from Thetford, had known each other for several years when they went on the trip to Norwich during the summer of last year.

Both had recently been through tough times and had the idea to start a beauty salon, with a difference.

Elite Hair and Beauty Training Academy on Station Road, Thetford, already has eight staff including hairdressers, beauticians, a masseur, apprentice and work experience student.

Apart from being a regular hair and beauty salon, the academy also runs courses to help people, who might otherwise face difficulties, breaking into the industry.

“Both Jenna and I have had our own troubles over the past few years and we thought it would be good to show people that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Han.

“Our training courses also cater especially for people with mental health issues to help them progress in their lives.”

In November 2017, Han’s brother, Terry Cooper, 30, a father-of-four, was killed in a car accident. For the next year, Han helped look after her nieces and nephews, alongside her own children, Reggie, now 12, Paige, 10, and Ellis, six.

“I was very busy for a long while and when things quietened down, I sank into a depression for almost a year and could barely leave the house,” she said.

“I also lost both my mother and father-in-law, shortly after Terry died, and my mum was also very unwell. I also put on about six stone in weight.”

Han managed to turn her life around after going for weight loss treatment in Turkey. She lost almost 7st and re-launched her career as a hairdresser.

“Jenna had also had personal problems of her own and we decided, first of all, we wanted to help people,” said Han. “We both have experience of working with people with issues such as ADHD and autism, who might want to enter the beauty industry but find it difficult in mainstream education. I’ve also just completed a teaching degree to help them.”

Elite Hair and Beauty Training Academy offers training courses in hair, beauty, eyelashes waxing, pedicure, manicure.

“We’ve had lost of support and congratulations from the community,” added Han.