From leaving school, I took a 1 year beauty receptionist course at West Suffolk College where I achieved an international health and beauty certificate. Following this, in June 1987, I started a 2 year beauty therapy course at Suffolk College and gained City and Guilds certificates. I then spent 8 years working as a beauty therapist in a salon in Ipswich gaining experience before setting up on my own at Martlesham Leisure. I chose the Susan Molyneux skincare range to use and gained product knowledge and treatment certificates. Over the years, I have trained in Indian head massage, aromatherapy with Eve Taylor and also studied Reflexology at the British School of Reflexology and, more recently, Hopi Ear Candling.

Including myself, the beauty rooms have a team of 5 therapists, Gemma, Penny, Becki and Nicki with details of each of them below.

Gemma trained at Suffolk College full-time for 2 years and gained an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in beauty therapy. She then worked as a beauty therapist for 4½ years at a local leisure centre gaining certificates in Susan Molyneux Skincare and for a short period of time in a salon in Bahrain. Gemma has been working with us since February 2005 and has gained her qualifications in Hopi Ear Candling and St Tropez during this time.

Penny trained at Suffolk College for 2 years and achieved qualifications NVQ Level 2 and 3 in beauty therapy. Since leaving college she has worked in a salon in Ipswich where she qualified in Indian head massage and then started with the Karen Smith beauty rooms in June 2006. Other qualifications she has gained along the way include, Hopi Ear Candling, St Tropez tanning, eyelash perming, ear piercing and body wraps. She has worked with several skincare products such a Natures Way and Dermalogica and has recently trained in Susan Molyneux.

Nicki trained at Suffolk College to gain VTCT certificates in Swedish massage in 2003 and started working at Karen Smith later that year. Nicki has successfully completed courses in Indian Head Style Massage and Hopi Ear Candling. Nicki has been a pilates teacher since 2004 and is a member od the Pilates foundation UK and continues her studies and practice with her teachers in London and Woodbridge.

Becki trained at Suffolk College full time for 2 years. Successfully completing the course and gaining qualifications in beauty therapy, NVQ Level 2 and 3. Since completing her course, Becki has continued to further her training and has since qualified in additional treatments including body wraps, Hopi Ear Candling, St Tropez tanning and fake bake tanning, day, night and bridal make-up and training on Paula Dorf cosmetics. She also has further product knowledge training in Natures Way, Dermalogica and Susan Molyneux and whilst working as a beauty therapist in a previous salon, using Pervonia, Espa and Jessica Nail treatments. Becki has been working at Karen Smith beauty rooms since May 2006.