Throughout a period when many small businesses were forced to diversify to survive, one local business continues to thrive by concentrating on its core services writes Matt Robinson
Shirley works her magic for another happy client
Well known local businesswoman, and owner of The Nail Studio in Knutsford, Shirley Woods has used her thirty years’ experience in the sector to ensure her client’s always benefit from the highest quality of service “We resisted the temptation to add other beauty-related services to concentrate on providing the best selection of nail treatments available, and our clients appreciate that.
Our clients continue to come to us, and to recommend us to others, because we are nail treatment specialists.”
Born in Urmston in south Manchester, Shirley began her career in the car insurance industry.
After she married, she and her husband moved to London where Shirley joined a nail studio to begin training in what has turned out to be her life-long profession. When the owner moved to Spain, Shirley took over the business.
Shirley became pregnant with her daughter, Lauren, and the family decided to move back to the north of Englandwhere she opened The Nail Studio in Hale in Altrincham. A second studio of the same name soon followed in Knutsford’sMinshull Street.
Shirley’s exceptional skills were soon recognised by several of her product suppliers and she was invited to participate in their product training programmes so that she could go on to train others.
Working out of her Knutsford studio, Shirley soon became one of the most highly respected trainers within the north of England “I’ve lost count of the number of people I trained over the years, many of whom went on to open their own successful businesses.”
The Hale studio closed many years ago to enable Shirley to concentrate on her Knutsford business, which she subsequently relocated to its present address at2 King Street.
Sitting with her for a while in her studio it soon became apparent why Shirley and her team have built such a loyal and ever-expanding client base.
“How long have you been a client?” Shirley asked a middle-aged lady as she prepared to have nail extensions applied. “Twenty-five years or thereabouts” came the reply.
The next client through the door is a young lady preparing for a family celebration “A work colleague recommended I come here about a year ago, and I have been coning ever since.”
“Most of our new clients come to see us following recommendations from others” Shirley said proudly.
Laure and Natasha
Shirley’s team also includes Natasha and daughter, Lauren, who works on a part-time basis to enable her to combine her role as mum to Shirley’s two grandchildren. Both are highly skilled and contribute fully to The Nail Studio’s continuing success.
Away from her work Shirley keeps herself busy with a number of other interests. She enjoys gardening and has a passion for Indian curry but, most of all, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, Joshua aged 5 and Francesca aged 211/2. “I have always had a love of horses, so I bought a pony, which I keep at High Legh, and I take them as often as I can. They both get a lot of enjoyment from it.”
With such a highly skilled team, and a thoroughly relaxing and friendly atmosphere, it is easy to understand why The Nail Studio remains so popular.
