STARTING your own business is more daunting when you have a family to raise - yet, this is exactly what prompted mum-of-two Stacey to launch her award-winning beauty shop.

The 36 year-old opened up her very own beauty parlour in December 2014, just after giving birth to her second child and it now has a healthy turnover of £130,000 a year.

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Stacey told The Sun Online: "I was making £16,000 a year as freelance make-up artist but after having my second little boy, I wanted to to play a more active role in my children's lives.

"The first I thing I needed was a base to work from, instead of travelling all over the country, so I could be there to pick them up everyday from school.

"My children also gave me a sense of purpose and I wanted to have my own shop to make them proud."

Stacey admitted that launching her business while also being a busy mum to her boys Kody, 6, and Olly, 4, was anything but plain sailing.

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She said: "I had to go back to work just three days after giving birth to Olly. I needed the money and I couldn't afford to let my regular clients down."

"At the time I was doing about three weddings a week in addition to several private clients."

"My husband, who's a policeman, also supported me financially during the first few months."

Thanks to her savings and a £3,000 grant from her council, she eventually opened Pouts and Pinups and it has been going from strength to strength since.

Now in its fourth year of trading, the salon is turning £130,000 a year compared to £60,000 three years ago. The company also employs 12 members of staff.

Earlier this year, it also scooped a trio of accolades for Best Fife Beauty Salon, Best Makeup Salon and Best Kirkcaldy Business at the Fife Retail Business Awards.

So what makes it a success? According to Stacey, the best part of going out with your girlfriends is the pre-party prep at home and that's the atmosphere she wanted to re-created in her beauty shop.

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Stacey also runs make up classes for teens and one-to-one private make-up lessons showing clients make-up tips like creating the perfect eye look and contouring.

Customers can also book the salon for so-called birthday princess pamper parties for groups of kids of up to 10-years-old.

She said:"I still have to pinch myself sometimes to realise this is really happening.

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"Obviously, being a mum and a business owner is challenging but I am doing this for my kids, so they can be proud of me.

"At the end of the day having my own business gives me confidence and it also makes me a better and more available mum.

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According to insurance provider , make-up artist and beauticians are the third fastest rising female owned business in the UK, growing by 35 per cent between 2016 to 2017.

The Sun Online also spoke to a dad-of-two who quit banking job to set up children’s hairdressers and it makes £650,000 a year.

We've also spoke to Angela Castleton, from Middlesborough who chomps on Cadbury's chocolate for a living - here's what it's like.

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