A local businesswoman with a boutique chain of tanning salons, including one in Swindon, has been nominated in the international Women’s Business Awards.

Victoria Hargrave, the founder of The Tanning Room, launched a new eco-friendly self-tanning brand, Beau Bronzage, in October 2023, with a West Swindon salon and others in Oxford and Gloucestershire, despite challenges from COVID lockdowns and the competitive nature of her business.

Her range of cruelty-free and organic products, including 27 self-tanning products, are available in six fragrances and can be purchased online and from salons, and there are more products currently being developed. 

In ten months, Beau Bronzage has generated £63,000 in revenue and has quickly gained popularity as a top-rated range of self-tanning products. 

This December, women from across the world will come together online for the annual Women’s Business Awards, organised by Women’s Business Club, which celebrates professional achievements and contributions.

The competition features over 21 categories including Businesswoman of the Year and Employer of the Year.

Victoria said: “As a woman with over a decade of experience in business, receiving recognition for the hard work my team and I have invested is incredibly meaningful.

“I have dedicated 11 years to the beauty industry, specifically in tanning, and constantly push myself to achieve more. This drive led me to establish my second venture, Beau Bronzage.

“Launching Beau Bronzage is a dream realised. After years of dedication to The Tanning Room, UV and spray tanning, I saw an opportunity to expand into sunless tanning – a growing market with enormous potential.

“My goal was to create a product line that not only delivers a beautiful, natural tan but also aligns with my values of sustainability and ethical production. I’m proud to say that Beau Bronzage represents the future of tanning – one that is eco-friendly, vegan, and made entirely in the UK.”

Angela De Souza, CEO and founder of Women’s Business Club, said: "There is nothing quite like celebrating the accomplishments of our businesswomen. This year we saw some incredible entries which made the judge's decision really tough.

“Although only one woman could win in each category, we feel that every single woman who entered is a winner - she is still standing, she is still determined to succeed and she still has hope for the future, a winning attitude indeed. I am so proud of all businessmen who have entered this year."