A BEAUTY salon owner who launched her business in the middle of the pandemic has won a national award.

Elena Cocca, 25, opened Impact Studio and Impact Beauty in Old Town's Godwin Court in October.

While closed under lockdown rules, she learned this month she had topped the Best of Brows category at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Elena said: “I opened the beauty salon at the end of last year, it’s everything under one roof except for hair.

“I’ve been in the beauty industry since I was 16 years old and since then my dream has been to open my own salon. I started off at New College Swindon where I did a brow course and ever since then that’s been my passion.

“I became self-employed and started my business in 2017. My mum and dad turned a little box room into a beauty room. Then last year I looked for my own place, which is now in Old Town. 

“Looking back it’s very surreal because I always forget where I started to now having my own salon is very overwhelming. I have a name to uphold now, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come.”

Elena says she couldn’t believe it when it was announced that she had won the award.

“The awards are for the whole of the country, they are for artists, hairdressers, barbers, and there’s loads of different categories,” Elena said.

“I went for the Best of Brows and I won. When I didn’t see my name in the top 50 or the top 10, I just thought to myself that I hadn’t won. When they said my name, I screamed. I was very dramatic.”

Elena will be reopening her salon today for the first time since January and all six members of her team will return.

Asked about opening a business duirng the Covid crisis, Elena said: “It was very overwhelming and very stressful. 

"I found out I had the building for the salon in February 2020 but then the country went into lockdown and everything was at a standstill. 

“I got my keys for the salon in June and then I had six weeks to get everything in order and open up. I had many breakdowns – it was a lot, but it was 100 per cent worth it.

“Nothing told me not to do it, I follow my gut. I am so glad I did it.”

To find out more about her business visit www.ibeauty-uk.com