Barbara Watts
BARBER (Unknown)
A Belfast hairdresser has become the first and only
- Northern Ireland woman to be
named a British Master Barber. Barbara
Watts received the award from the British
Master Barber Association. The 46-year-old
said she feels "absolutely amazing". I just
feel so honoured. Buzzing, I think, is the
right word. "Barbara has been cutting hair
since she left school. Almost 16 years ago
she opened her shop The Barber's Chair on
the Beersbridge Road. The salon won
Barber of the Year at the Northern Ireland
Hair and Beauty Awards in July.
Popyeni Irene Shigweda
BEAUTY THERAPIST (Unknown)
A young skincare and body therapist who owns her
own wellness spa. Here, in her small abode, she
does massages and facials as well as manicures
and pedicures. The young woman who studied for
her diploma in beauty in South Africa, started her
own business last year and has been working for
herself ever since. "Currently I am training 2 other
women to join me in the business", she stated
when the Economist found a spot on her busy
diary. "I have always not liked depending on others
for anything. I wanted to be on my own and work
for myself and I did it" she smiled. She is of the
opinion that young people need to strive to be
independent and learn to achieve the goals they
set their minds to because it helps build confidence
and good values. "I get a lot of support from family,
friends and clients".
77