Image consultant from Downham Market diversifies her Btransformed business to adapt during the Covid pandemic

An award-winning image consultant from Downham has tackled the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic by diversifying and learning new skills to run her business.

Shirley Webb, who runs her Btransformed business from her home in Downham, started the year by winning the Best Newcomer 2019 title with Colour me Beautiful, the world's leading image consultancy with whom she first trained. She also won a silver award for her make-up sales.

But with the problems posed by the pandemic, she has turned to different ways of running her business and staying connected with her clients, such as online consultations.

She said: "I have really been pushed out of my comfort zone. As a person who doesn't even like having a photograph taken, I began to look at doing videos to share online.

"I have learned how to upload videos on YouTube, I have carried out live sessions and learned how to work with Zoom. When online, some services transfer really well. For instance, people can show me what clothes they have in their wardrobe so we can talk about colour and style."

Also in September she opened a new studio in her garden which means that she can still see clients as they do not need to go into her house.

"It's perfect and works so well," said Shirley who is reopening again this week when the lockdown has been lifted.

In response to clients' requests about where to buy items of jewellery and clothes which are in their colour range, Shirley has sourced affordable jewellery and ponchos from Suzie Blue, which she is now selling online as well as hand painted silk scarves.

"Within just a couple of weeks I was already selling quite a lot of items," she said.

She already stocks the Colour me Beautiful range of skincare, make-up and pashminas.

She also offers vouchers from £25 which could be used as Christmas gifts plus there are special offers on make-up from Colour me Beautiful on now to mid December.

For more information, visit Shirley's website www.btransformed.co.uk