A passion for beauty from an early age
Lola’s journey into beauty began early. She has been in the industry for five years and started out at just 16 as a Saturday girl before progressing into her Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy apprenticeships. During her Level 3 apprenticeship, she achieved a Merit, reflecting the commitment and ability she showed throughout her training.
Her passion for the industry was sparked when she saw her mum’s friend working as a massage therapist for Leicester City players. That experience opened her eyes to the world of Beauty Therapy, and before long she was practising massages on family and friends at home in her spare time. As Lola explained, “When you do something you love at home in your spare time, you know it’s a passion.”
That early passion quickly became a clear goal. Lola said she had imagined owning her own salon from the age of 15 and had always wanted to become self-employed. Her ambition was not just to work in the industry, but to build something of her own.
Building skills through apprenticeships and salon experience
Before opening her salon, Lola worked in two salons over a period of three years, gaining valuable knowledge, practical experience and people skills that helped prepare her for business ownership.
Her apprenticeship journey played a central role in that development. Speaking about her time with Heart of England Training, Lola shared how supported she felt throughout her learning. She said, “I felt very comfortable and my educator was supportive during my time there. Whenever I doubted myself, Saj would pick me back up and give me nothing but support.” She also credited HOET with giving her the knowledge she still uses today, adding, “This is where I learnt all my knowledge, it all comes from Heart of England.”
Stories like Lola’s highlight the real value of apprenticeships. For aspiring beauty professionals, they provide the chance to gain recognised qualifications, hands-on experience and industry confidence. For employers, they help develop motivated talent with the practical skills needed to thrive in salon environments.
Turning ambition into Lola Rose Beauty
Today, Lola is the owner of Lola Rose Beauty, a salon she has been running for a year and a half. Her vision for the business is clear: to create a luxury, welcoming, one-to-one experience where every client feels like a priority. She describes the salon as having a “luxury/VIP” feel, and says her clients love the quiet, tailored approach and leave feeling valued.
That personalised experience is at the heart of her business. Lola wants every client to walk away having had a treatment experience designed around them — whether that means a calming massage appointment or a more chatty and relaxed beauty treatment. Her aim is to offer something memorable that keeps clients coming back.
It is a fantastic achievement for someone who once dreamed of salon ownership as a teenager and has now turned that ambition into a reality through training, industry experience and determination.
Resilience behind the success
Like many business owners, Lola’s journey has not been without challenges. She has spoken honestly about the pressures that came with starting her business, including managing stock, keeping up with salon social media and messages, and simply finding her feet in the early days.
She also shared that shortly after opening the salon, she experienced a serious health scare caused by stress and burnout. Lola has reflected on that period as a pivotal moment that taught her the importance of putting her health first and trusting that her clients would support her while she recovered.
That honesty makes her success even more inspiring. Rather than letting setbacks define her, Lola used them to grow stronger, creating a business built not only on professionalism and ambition, but also on balance, care and perspective.
Recognition for her success
Lola’s hard work is already being recognised across the industry. She has been named in the Top 50 of the 2026 Hair and Beauty Awards as a finalist for Best Home Salon, with the winner due to be announced at an event in mid-August. She said receiving the email was a moment of excitement and disbelief, and the recognition reflects the high standards she has created at Lola Rose Beauty.
To enter the competition, Lola submitted photos of her salon and detailed information about health and safety, the way the salon is run, what makes it stand out, and the overall experience she has created for clients. That level of care and professionalism says a great deal about the business she has built.
Inspiring the next generation
As well as growing her own business, Lola is passionate about inspiring others coming into the industry. She has already returned to speak to students about her journey and success, and hopes to continue encouraging more learners in the future.
Her advice to anyone thinking about opening their own salon is simple but powerful: “Just go for it! Follow your dreams and don’t give up.” For those starting out in the industry, she encourages them to believe in themselves, stay on their own path and avoid comparing themselves to others.
That mindset has carried Lola from apprentice to salon owner — and it is exactly the kind of journey we are proud to celebrate at Heart of England Training.
A success story that shows what apprenticeships can achieve
Lola Pritchard’s journey is a brilliant example of where a beauty apprenticeship can lead. From gaining her Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualifications to building experience in professional salons and then launching Lola Rose Beauty, she has created a career based on passion, skill and determination.
We are incredibly proud to have supported Lola on her journey and look forward to seeing what she achieves next as her business continues to grow. Her story shows that with the right training, support and self-belief, apprenticeships can be the first step towards an exciting and successful future in the beauty industry.
If you’re looking to start your own career in beauty, or you’re an employer ready to invest in new talent, Heart of England Training can help you take the next step.
