Foundation for £65m make-up empire came from my nan

BUSINESS STARTED WITH LOAN FROM CLEANER GRAN

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

WHEN Paige Louise Williams started building her make-up empire, she had just one person on her mind her mum.

Having grown up with five brothers on a council estate in Droylsden, her main goal was to make sure her mother never worried about money again. With no cash, no qualifications and no business plan, Paige borrowed a £20,000 loan from her nan and took a leap of faith.

What started as a Prestwich-based make-up salon turned into a brand now known by millions around the world - P. Louise.

As the business is set to make an eye-watering £65million this year, the 31-year-old has opened up about her journey to the top.

"My background was never privileged," she told the M.E.N. "You hear that from a lot of entrepreneurs, but it has given me a different sense of hunger as a woman."

It all started when Paige dropped out of college where she was studying to become a children's social worker.

Knowing it wasn't the right career path for her, she went on to become a MAC make-up artist and worked behind the counter at Selfridges.

As her signature glam style grew in popularity, Paige began offering her services as a freelancer, eventually becoming SO demand she was able to quit her retail job.

Spotting the opportunity to grow her business, the entrepreneur decided to launch her own makeup salon in Prestwich. She approached her nana, who was working as a cleaner at the time, and asked if she could borrow a £20,000 loan.

"She was going to refurbish her kitchen and extend the back of the house," Paige said. "She worked very long hours and had a mortgage.