A Paignton mum who set up her own business last year so she could spend more time with her young children has been nominated for three national awards.
After the arrival of her youngest child, when he was just 8 weeks old, Abi York trained as a nail technician, and set up Shepack Beauty – which provides a range of different beauty treatments that include nails, lashes, brows, facials, and Hopi ear candles.
Now just over a year after launching the business, Miss York has been selected as a finalist in not one, but three national beauty awards. This is in addition to being awarded a bronze award back in December at the Beauty Full awards for Best Nail Newcomer.
“I’ve wanted to do this since I can remember and when I left an abusive relationship back in 2021, I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to take a massive leap of faith and set-up the Shepack. Since then, I’ve never looked back and I’m loving every minute of it” said Miss York.
Dubbed ‘The Den’, Abi’s home-based salon provides her clients, who she affectionately calls her ‘Alpha’s’, with a safe space for women to talk about mental health and empowerment. This is something that Miss York recognises as being much needed in the current climate, where people are feeling the strains and pressures from everyday life more than ever before.
“I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety before in the past, so I understand just how important it is to be able to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. The time-old saying of a problem shared is a problem halved is most definitely true and can do you the world of good,” added Abi. “That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to encourage female empowerment amongst my beautiful Alphas.”
Miss York has been selected as a finalist at the Beauty Full Awards ‘Nail Technician of the Year’ category, the UK Hair and Beauty Awards for ‘Best Gel Nails’, and at the GB Beauty Awards as ‘Nail Technician of the Year. She finds out later in the year if she’s won an award.
“Honestly I could’ve cried,” she said when asked about the nominations. “I’m not expecting to win, but even to be nominated and recognised is such an achievement in itself. Anything else is a bonus.”
For more local news scroll down or click here.
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Contact us
