Jade boosts village economy by realising her dream

In an age when too many rural shops and businesses are closing, the former Great Yarmouth College student has celebrated the success of her Barton Turf salon Indulge by moving into bigger premises and taking on staff for the first time.

When Miss Rivett, of School Lane, Sprowston, left college with NVQs levels two and three and an international diploma in beauty therapy she worked for local businesses for a while but always had one clear aim: 'To own my own salon by the age of 21.'

She said: 'My mum and dad, who is a mechanic, are both self-employed so I had their backing straightaway.

'At the time I was living in Dilham and friends in Barton Turf, five minutes away, said there was a room I would be able to rent at the Iken Leisure Pool in the village.'

The success of the saloon, offering a full range of beauty treatments from facials, manicures and pedicures to waxing and massage, has enabled her to expand it four years on, moving into a former barn also owned by Iken Leisure.

Her landlord funded the renovation and her parents helped her to stock the salon, in Smallburgh Road, ahead of its opening at the end of last month.

She said: 'I have been able to take on bigger brands and become a therapist for Elemis, the leading British spa brand.

'I have also been able to take on a part-time therapist, Eliza Oakden; my mum Sue has joined me as a nail technician and I also rent out a room to Celia Smith, an holistic therapist.'

Miss Rivett said the new salon had been 'fully booked since the day we opened'.

'The customers really like the atmosphere of the barn and the peace and quiet with no traffic noise; everyone who has come in has re-booked,' she said.

Her aim is to employ Eliza full-time as quickly as possible and her eventual ambition is to own a string of salons.

Do you have a business success story. Email stephen.pullinger@archant.co.uk