Collette Osborne Nominated for the Nottingham Post's Women in Business Awards

Hair and beauty salon owner Collette Osborne's staff say she's a cut above the rest after nominating her for the Nottingham Post's Women in Business awards.

Collette, 43, has been put forward for four awards, including small business and sole trader of the year.

Her nomination comes after her salon – Hairven Hair and Beauty in Gedling – won best new business at this year's Nottingham Post's Business Awards.

Hairven has also achieved a five-star status in the Good Salon Guide, been nominated for a number of industry awards and been named East Midlands Salon of the Year two years in a row since opening in November 2011.

Collette, who worked as an accountant before opening Hairven, said she was "humbled" by the nomination from her staff. She said,

It's good to celebrate the achievements of women in business. I'm a mother of two children so it shows you can balance having a business and a family. We have won quite a few awards, which is amazing and because we have got such a good team.

Collette was inspired to move into the hair and beauty industry by her late mother-in-law, Wendy Osborne, who lost her battle with cancer shortly before the salon opened.

After Wendy had a negative experience at a hair salon during her illness, Collette decided to open her own salon where Wendy, and others going through similar health battles, would be treated with dignity and respect.

She has dedicated the salon to Wendy's memory and continues to raise funds for charities, including Cancer Research and Nottingham cancer care centre Maggie's. Her staff have also nominated Collette for the community champion award in recognition of her charitable efforts. She added,

I changed my career because of Wendy. For me it's not just enough to be a business, you've got to be part of the community and give something back to your community.

We support a wide range of local charities. Last year we gave away £24,000 in charitable donations.

Hairven salon manager Vanessa Nowell, 35, said,

Collette had no previous hairdressing experience when she opened the seven-seater salon, which has become of the most successful in the region. Within the first year the salon won regional salon of the year, and Hairven went on to win this title two years in a row.

The speed of growth resulted in the physical expansion of the building and the salon now employs around 20 staff. All these achievements are made even more remarkable by the fact she did not have a background in the industry.

Collette loves getting involved with Maggie's and helps raise money for them as much as possible. She also gives a discount to all NHS workers as a thank-you for their hard work.

Hairven's staff have also nominated Collette for the Inspirational Woman of the Year award, as in 2006 she had a car accident which left her with a serious spinal injury, which still causes her a lot of pain.

Junior stylist Phoebe Gretton, 18, said,

Collette is an inspiration to us because a lot of people would have given up after an accident like that. She's in pain every day but she's always working, no matter what. She looks after her staff like we're her own daughters and she's always doing charity work.

This article is from the Nottingham Post.