Gemma Lumley from Chadderton has exchanged midwifery for aesthetics to fulfil her ‘daydream’.
Fine Strokes SPMU and Aesthetics opened in April 2019 after Gemma took a leap of faith and retrained in the beauty industry.
Gemma, 38, relocated to Oldham from Bradford in 2009 with her three daughters. She spent 13 years as a midwife at the Royal Oldham Hospital, though says her true passion lay with beauty and aesthetics.
Her dream of starting a business began at the age of 18 when she trained as a beauty therapist. But life “parked her dreams” and took a different career path as a midwife.
“I never really believed I would fulfil my business idea, so I opted for a more stable job.”
After 13 years with the NHS, Gemma decided to finally pursue that dream and rented a room to develop her business.
She remained employed with the NHS for 12 hours a week and spent the rest of her time working on her business.
As lockdown hit in 2020, Gemma’s new trade was affected. She opted to work extra hours for the NHS and on the Test and Trace programme to earn a living.
However, in November, whilst driving through Chadderton, Gemma found her ideal premises for rent.
“I was nowhere near being in a position to take on my own premises financially and right in the middle of a global pandemic. But something just told me this was the time and that this building was up for rent just for me!”.
After receiving the keys in January, Gemma says she has “lived and breathed” Fine Strokes Aesthetics. Since signing the rental agreement, Gemma has spent time redecorating and renovating the premises to suit her business needs, whilst continuing to work her NHS shifts.
Gemma will be working alongside two other businesswomen renting rooms within the clinic: Sophie Openshaw of The Skin Specialist, and Gemma Walcott of Lashes & Brows Treatments by Gemma. It means the clinic can provide services ranging from lashes and skincare to semi-permanent make-up and aesthetics. The clinic will also be a training location for The Million Dollar Facial.
Gemma also has an ambition to open a training academy at the site. “Teaching and role modelling is something I’m very passionate about. My fiancé Lee will be coming on board working on the business development and academy”.
After personal experience of domestic abuse, Gemma is keen to work with local and national charities, hoping to support women in improving their outcomes and increasing their confidence. This would include offering some free bespoke training opportunities to local women accessing the charities.
Fine Strokes can be found at Broadway in Chadderton and online at www.finestrokesmicroblading.co.uk . It’s set to open on 12th of April.