OWNER and founder of Bude-based salon, Blush Bude, is celebrating after being named 2018 semi finalist business mother of the year for the Venus Women’s Awards, Devon and Cornwall 2018.

Blush is born from a daydream of creating a wonderful space where women of all ages can gather and learn the very best of what’s available to them. Deciding to take things into her own hands, Melanie O’Reilly made an initial investment of £40,000 with the majority spent on premises and equipment.

Starting out in 2016, Blush Bude unexpectedly took off and is now a solid local business employing ten people in the busy salon offering high-end beauty and hair treatments to the local area.

Melanie said: “I’m delighted to be named semi finalist for these prestigious awards and it is a real feather in my cap. As a geographical area, we are often forgotten or not seen as beauty leaders in the UK. At Blush, we work hard to stand up and be noticed as a centre of excellence. We’re aiming for a future where many people easily recognise Blush beauty and training.

“As a working mother of two children and a business owner, I want to encourage and inspire more women to start their own business, plus improve their employment opportunities by being the very best they can be.”

As well as being a salon, Blush also operates as a private training academy and offers courses for already qualified therapists looking to refresh and update their skills, as well as courses for complete beginners.

The Venus Awards were founded in 2009 to recognise and reward women in business. The awards have since expanded across the country and have recognised hundreds of hard working women and female-friendly businesses.